My kid got one from a college that rejected him, and one from a college where he was waitlisted.

Don’t read anything into it.

If they only sent these emails to people that were accepted, then they wouldn’t be decision date notification emails they would be DECISION emails. And they wouldn’t need to post on the site at all.

Schools give a date “by April 1” in The fall. As they get applications in, and start going through them, they have a better sense of the exact date decisions would be made. Most school beat that date, so applicants would keep Checking their portals everyday starting mid Mar, or worse CALLING the school. The emails are appreciated by most.

ArthurH wrote:Is it common practice or are such emails along the lines of "Likely Letters"?

It seems most schools are pretty clear about their decision dates.

I suppose it depends on how the email reads, a generic reminder or a marketing piece to build excitement.

If the later, I would hope those only go to those destined for an acceptance.

They are form emails sent to all, simply an update on the process, so that applicants know when to look for decisions.

They go to all applicants.

Is it common practice or are such emails along the lines of "Likely Letters"?

It seems most schools are pretty clear about their decision dates.

I suppose it depends on how the email reads, a generic reminder or a marketing piece to build excitement.

If the later, I would hope those only go to those destined for an acceptance.

Most people appreciate knowing when the exact decision date is precisely so that they are not freaking out and hovering over their computer prematurely. Emails with the decision date should be sent to all applicants.

For every person mad that they do something, there is one who would be mad if they didn't.

Everyone is doing the best they can.

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Hello, what is the deal with colleges sending reminders of their impending application decision date?

Would colleges really send out such emails to kids they will not be accepting? If so, I think that would be a rather nasty practice.

How common are these "stand by your phone/laptop" emails? A bad sign if you are not getting such an email from a school?

What schools have sent decision date pending emails to your kid?

Colorado College, Connecticut College, and Swarthmore sent them to my kid. So far, one followed up with a Yes! No word yet from the other two, but their official dates are not for two weeks. Another school, just snail-mailed their acceptance letter without any hype.

Thanks.