What does 'special status' mean in college admissions?

<p>I got a letter today from the love of my life (University of Pittsburgh lol) and it said they granted me and only a select group of students special status, which means they are waiving me an admissions essay. I had mailed my transcript yesterday along with supporting info, but on the letter it says he will personally review my info and get back to me within 3 weeks of looking at it, which is quicker than other students. What does this mean? I sent in an essay and I want them to read it,will they? Someone told me it's like a recruitment letter, and it basically means I'm in. Can you please explain it to me better? haha thanks!</p>

<p>PS I'm a junior to be senior</p>

<p>It means they really want you and have hooked you with a catchy marketing phrase. It doesn’t mean you’re in but they really want you to feel good about Pitt.</p>

<p>Since you feel great about them as well – it looks like it’ll be a mutual romance.</p>

<p>Indeed, I have heard of students who were invited to apply, who had their application fees or essays waived, or who were offered other incentives, and who were ultimately not admitted.</p>

<p>I’ve heard of it…but not very often at all. Have a great time at Pitt!</p>

<p>It means you can submit an application without an essay – they probably have some info on you already such as a test score or test score range and possibly some high school info. It does not mean you will definitely be admitted but you are likely to be. You can choose to send essay regardless of waiver and it will be reviewed unless decision to admit is made before they even get to the essay.</p>

<p>So do you think chances are I’ll get in? I emailed the admissions office and they saw that I toured their campus, and the officer said he was just as interested in me as I am in them. I just want to restore my confidence haha. I’ve never wanted anything so badly!</p>

<p>This happened to me too! Usually it’s after you visit campus. They tend to accept almost every student they do this for. It is test score based;however, so if they don’t like your GPA you might not get in.</p>

<p>I have a pretty decent GPA: 4.0 weighted, 3.5 unweighted I believe. I took AP English, AP US history, College in the high school physics and regular math (I am cursed at math) my SAT was 1700 ): Which is like 50 pts off. And I’m president of 3 clubs, volunteer year round as a tutor and at a UPMC hospital on Pitt’s campus (i get 50% off tuition because my mom works for UPMC). I have a long list of ECs, but my numbers are in range with theirs. I looked at your profile, HYPSM2014, and you definitely outdo me haha but you seem qualified to let me know if you think I’ll get in. So with this knowledge, do you think so?</p>

<p>I think your going to Pitt. Good luck.</p>