<p>My son is also a top student, 4.0 UW, top SATs , major leadership, outstanding ECs and no scholar. Unfortunately, this process ends up turning off these top students who are not recognized. They are insulted and will probably choose another school where they are acknowledged. These top kids are getting into many good schools with scholarships. Why should they choose Delaware if they are not recognized as a “scholar”? I think the school should better outline on their website what types of students are Distinguished Scholars. It implies that the top academic students are selected, but I doubt that is the only criteria. In my opinion, they are looking for diversity.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that there may be different admissions decision processes for different majors and programs.</p>
<p>TigerM - My S is like yours and he did get selected; however he did not get invited to the Johnson Scholarship finals at W&L. All these holistic selection processes ( including Ivy admissions ) are very subjective and are really not a reflection whatsoever on you if you don’t get accepted. You should base your decision on where to go to school based on objective data points and not let emotions get involved.</p>
<p>Xwords59; I agree. But these students are young and take everything personally. I know that once they get into the school it really won’t matter as much. I know at least on my side, I know several students who would rather go to a “top school” than a lesser tier school if they will not be recognized. It’s just the way they feel. I know several who are in this situation.</p>
<p>I never got that preliminary e-mail that was being discussed earlier in this thread, but I was recently selected as a Distinguished Scholar. I wouldn’t worry about the e-mail too much.</p>
<p>My son’s portal page has the exact same message as the email some have received except missing the “like you” part. I’m not sure when the page changed, but most likely within the past week.</p>
<p>D. rec’d letter in mail today. We were hoping it wasn’t a rejection letter …and really hoping it might be some sort of scholarship letter…but alas, it was just a reiteration of the email received earlier (verbatim). It definitely faked us out.</p>
<p>Its the waiting and running to mailbox everyday thats the worst.</p>
<p>I just got a letter in the mail that said things like " We’ve been thinking about you this winter." and “We hope to share very good news with you in March.” and “We’re proud of what you have accomplished and we are honored that you have chosen to share your application as well as your aspirations with us.” and “…with so many unique and capable students, like you.” Does this mean most likely I got in? I never got an email from them but I nearly had a heart attack when my mom gave me the small letter from UDel. I thought it was a rejection but it talked about them finalizing the class of 2017 and the final stages of decision making. What does this letter even mean?</p>
<p>Sounds like a “likely letter” to me. It’s not a guaranteed acceptance, but it’s an effort by UD to tell you that they really like you, and are trying to keep you interested so you don’t commit elsewhere before the official acceptances come out. I’d be encouraged if I were you.</p>
<p>No rhyme or reason to the emails/letters from what I see NY suburb. The kid I mentioned in distinguished scholars thread, 33ACT #5 in class, Math Olympiad placer, etc, hasn’t heard a single word from Delaware. Another boy I know today received a similar letter as mentioned as well as the email, his stats are lower, SAT range 1800 half the amount of AP classes as the other boy. So again makes no sense. Both are from the same HS.</p>
<p>I agree with both Booklady and samiamy. It appears at least some applicants have been receiving various versions of this communication via a number of methods (email, US mail, portal message). IMHO opinion right now the only thing that can be reasonably concluded is that applicants who have received such a communication can probably feel much more confident that they will be accepted. However if an applicant has not gotten such communication IMHO nothing can be inferred right now. Overall UD accepts around 10-12K applicants every year. Based on the relatively small number of applicants (at least reported on this thread) who have received the communication in some form it would appear to be inconsistant with the large number of applicants who actually are accepted. So IMHO I would not read anything into it if you have not received the communication. Just my perspective. Good luck to all applicants.</p>
<p>I would think if one received a letter in the mail or even via email, it is a “likely letter”. DS has received neither but does have the similar wording on his portal page as in post #27. My sense is that is a generic message. It may be reflective on not being likely or of truly not being decided. </p>
<p>On his portal it reads:</p>
<p>While you’re waiting for your decision, we’re still reading!</p>
<p>2013 has already been a tremendous year for the University of Delaware. We beamed with pride when alumnus Joe Biden was sworn in for his second term as Vice President of the United States of America. And you may have heard our collective cheering on Super Bowl Sunday, as our very own Joe Flacco led the Baltimore Ravens to NFL victory.</p>
<p>Within the Office of Admissions, we’re celebrating your victories as well. We’re proud of what you have accomplished and we are honored that you have chosen to share your application, as well as your aspirations, with us.</p>
<p>We are entering the final stages of our decision-making and are now shaping the Fall 2013 Class. Our goal is to share news with you soon. Thanks for your patience!</p>
<p>I agree that the portal message does not include some of the comments some applicants have gotten in the emails and letters (especially the “like you” comment). However, if the message is “generic” it would seem likely to me that it should be included in all applicants portals. I don’t know if this is the case. Have all applicants out there gotten this portal message? If not it still might “infer” that the applicants who received it have a higher probability of being accepted. UD could probably just push one button and send this out to the portal of all applicants (if it was meant for all applicants). Just my thoughts.</p>
<p>Perhaps. Has anyone checked their portal and seen a different or no message?</p>
<p>D. has same portal message as dowzerw. </p>
<p>Received letter this week and email as mentioned previously.</p>
<p>I have the generic portal message like you guys are talking about and i got the letter which is more specific. for example the portal says “can’t wait to share news with you soon” but the letter says “we hope to share very good news with you in march.” so im confused. but honestly if UDel denies me after that letter I’m going to bring it up with them because there are so many little hints in it and why would they send me that via snail mail if it didn’t mean anything? this letter is causing so much unnecessary anxiety.</p>
<p>twin-DS message reads “our goal is to share…”. Your message reads “Can’t wait to share…”. That’s a different message. You should be cautiously optimistic.</p>
<p>pineview-does your Ds portal message read “our goal…” or “Can’t wait…”? I’m gonna guess it is the latter and not the same as my DS has. DS has not received an email or snail mail. :(</p>
<p>No youre right mine does say what yours says. Sorry I paraphrased but yeah my portal has the same exact thing “We are entering the final stages of our decision-making and are now shaping the Fall 2013 Class. Our goal is to share news with you soon. Thanks for your patience!” If you want to see what the letter looks like I took a picture and put in my tumblr so you can see. Here’s the link :
<a href=“http://that-weird-indian-girl.■■■■■■■■■■/image/43617871879[/url]”>http://that-weird-indian-girl.■■■■■■■■■■/image/43617871879</a>
Hopefully you can see it!</p>
<p>Thanks for sharing that. What an odd concept-don’t know why they don’t just send an acceptance letter because that seems to definitely be a very likely letter. Good luck-fingers crossed for you!</p>