<p>Does UD give any preference in applications if you have a sibling attending? My D is a soph and my S is applying. He is on the low end of median 50% (maybe even a bit lower) but still not completely off the chart. Living in NJ our high school usually has about 60-75 kids apply each year and about 25 of them get in. Even with him being in range I fear living where we do will be an issue and push him down a bit. My extra hope is if there is any consideration taken to siblings attending.<br>
thanks in advance if you know anything! :)</p>
<p>According to UD’s Common Data Set “Alumni/ae Relation” is a non-academic factor that is considered in admission decisions. Whether this applies to siblings is not delineated. I have heard differing perspectives on this issue (usually depending upon whether a sibling was accepted or not) from a number of people so I would suggest sending a brief email to the Admission’s Department and just ask them so you can obtain a definitive answer to your question. My suspicion would be that even if they do give some preference to siblings it probably would not be a major factor. As I’m sure you are aware the largest number of OOS applicants are from NJ. Most people are therefore of the perspective that being from NJ is a slightly negative factor in admission decisions (however I am not aware of any published statistical analysis that actually verifies this). Though I suspect that you are aware of this already I would recommend that if UD is near the top of the list of colleges where your son wants to attend that you schedule an admission’s interview so your son can make them aware of his major interest in attending UD. An admission’s interview and an applicant’s level of interest in attending UD are also non-academic factors considered by UD in admission decisions. Obviously nothing can guarantee acceptance but these things can help maximize your son’s chances. Does your son really want to attend the same college as his older sister?</p>
<p>Thanks! I believe he does. I think his biggest fear is his grades are not up to what his sister does, she’s always been a hard worker and very disciplined with school work. He sees how hard she works for her grades at UD, So of course we at looking at several back up options. Being the school is big enough I don’t think he feels it would be an issue being in the same place as her. One of the great things about UD is how there really is something for everyone. My niece is also there this year as a freshman and other than the two of them setting up meeting times, my D and her never get to see each other. We have called admissions about other stuff so far. Not sure if an interview is the best forum for my son to show his assets, probably his weakest setting so I think that may actually hurt him. Thanks for the info. Getting ready to hit send on the application this weekend so we hopefully will know in 12 weeks. :)</p>