<p>I got a postcard in the mail from them that read as such:</p>
<p>""The cypher that appears on the front of this postcard is modeled after what was used by King William and Queen Mary, and it signifies the College that bears their names.</p>
<p>The word cypher can mean either a fancy set of initials or a secret message in code, but we don't intend for this postcard to be the latter. So let us be direct--we anticipate sending you good news this spring.</p>
<p>As a member of the admission committee who personally reviewed your application, I am sending you this cypher to congratulate you on an impressive record of accomplishments, something we hope to see you continue at Williams & Mary.</p>
<p>[Dear (name withheld),
What a great application!
Deborah L. Basket]</p>
<p>Anybody else get something like this? I'm assuming it's basically a pre-acceptance letter?</p>
<p>Yes, check their facebook page for more information. It is a likely letter and they are sending them to approximately 10% of the applicant pool, which would be a fairly large proportion of the admit group itself.</p>
<p>I haven’t gotten one though. What was the postage date?</p>
<p>I’m in the deferred applicant pool and typically because deferrals are reviewed after the regular decision applications, it’s usually too late in the process for deferred applicants to be sent/receive a postcard. By April 1, I will have waited 6 long, agonizing months for a decision. I sent in updates and my midyear report will be sent next week, which completes my application. So, W&M, please relieve me of my misery and review my application soon! Receiving a post card in February would be even better than an Early Decision offer! Okay, maybe not that good but at least it’ll make the wait for the final decision to arrive a whole lot easier. Deferred applicants are people too ;o)</p>
<p>@Higher Potential, unfortunately we will not be able to review deferred applicants again until later on in our process. We’re still processing and completing thousands of regular decision applicants and making sure they get the thorough review ED applicants got in November. We know you’re on pins and needles and we appreciate that this process is not an easy one. </p>
<p>Everyone should remember that a small percentage of students receive a postcard. And remember, reviewing your application early on doesn’t guarantee receipt of a postcard. We wish we could send them to everyone but our process simply doesn’t move quite that fast.</p>
<p>What a great idea! I definitely think this will help to alleviate some stress in the process. Were postcards all sent out at once, or are they sent out as applications are reviewed?</p>
<p>I apologize. I believe my post may have come across a bit short. Normally I would have quoted the answer to the question from the blog and simply posted that, but was iPhone cruising by that time of night (copy & paste is a pill).</p>
<p>W&M, a request for the blog (which I really enjoy). Is there any way to add a ‘subscribe’ feature that would send an email alerting you of a new blog post? I’m not a techie when it comes to web design so I don’t know if this is a “no big deal” or a “facepalm, are you kidding?!” type of request. It would be a nice feature if it falls in the nbd category. :)</p>
<p>Just want to say W&M has been awesome through this whole process. From the great set of cards we initially got, to the emails, to the updates on the blog (and here). Thanks!!</p>
<p>Congrats on all the students who received the postcard. Last year my daughter received one - but she was away at boarding school and never mentioned it. When she was home in March I mentioned the post card and she told me she got one but had no idea what it really meant (she obviously is not on CC). I hadn’t asked earlier because I was afraid to stress her out!</p>
<p>She is currently a very happy freshman at W&M. I would recommend visiting on accepted students day if you possibly can.</p>
<p>Just received a postcard with a nice little message from the assistant dean. Your admissions office is so personal and accessible, and I’m excited to have the chance to attend W&M this fall!</p>
Interesting idea. First I’ve heard of something like this.</p>