<p>So I just got this email from DukeEngage. Some of the phrasing makes me think that it might be something along the lines of a likely letter?</p>
<h2>The following is copied and pasted from the email I received:</h2>
<p>Dear Kevin:</p>
<p>When my colleagues at Duke Admissions invited me to write to every student who had applied to Duke this year—due mostly to my leadership of a very popular undergraduate civic engagement program here called DukeEngage, but also because I’m a dad of a current college student who can empathize with your situation—I felt honored to be among those encouraging you to embrace whatever lies ahead with enthusiasm, passion and curiosity. While decisions have not yet been made about Duke’s Class of 2018, we are grateful for your interest in Duke and DukeEngage, and I understand your application is receiving much thoughtful consideration. </p>
<p>I hope during your process of applying to Duke, you’ve gotten to know more about DukeEngage—a unique program that, in just six years since its origin, has already deeply impacted many of the 2,400 Duke undergraduates who have taken part. Each summer, roughly 435 DukeEngage students receive full funding to spend eight weeks serving in dozens of U.S.-based and international partner communities that are tackling tough challenges—ranging from longstanding environmental, educational or economic policy issues to more timely service, such as earthquake or hurricane relief efforts or assisting refugee communities. Whether students are providing service to middle schoolers in China, displaced families in Colombia, women’s organizations in New York City, or farming families in Uganda, our nearly 40 immersive “group” programs each year (many of them led by faculty) challenge students to apply the knowledge they’re gaining at Duke to pressing issues in communities in the U.S. and abroad.</p>
<p>While many colleges and universities now recognize the impact civic engagement has on student learning, we bring great intentionality to such efforts at Duke, through DukeEngage and other civic engagement opportunities. Should you be offered the opportunity to attend Duke, and should you decide to enroll, I hope you’ll explore DukeEngage in greater depth—and potentially take part in one of our programs. (Learn more in the meantime at dukeengage.duke.edu.) And should your college experience take you elsewhere, I encourage you to volunteer as you’re able and engage the world in all the ways that are available to you.</p>
<p>I offer you best wishes in what is a very one of the most important decisions for you and your family. Whatever happens and wherever you end up enrolling, the path ahead of you is an exciting one.</p>
<p>Sincerely yours,</p>
<p>Eric Mlyn, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost for Civic Engagement
Executive Director, DukeEngage</p>
<hr>
<p>So does anybody think that this is a good sign that I might be into Duke? I know it states that he wrote "to every student who applied to Duke", but it also states "I understand our application is receiving much thoughtful consideration." Also, the "Should you be offered the opportunity to attend Duke, and should you decide to enroll, I hope you’ll explore DukeEngage in greater depth—and potentially take part in one of our programs" sentence makes me feel slightly more confident in my chances. </p>
<p>Did anybody else get this? Does this mean that the Admissions Committee is likely to accept me? I apologize for the long post, and I thank you in advance.</p>