Early Action First Time Freshman Application Update
As you may have learned from the news, Seattle Washington is guaranteed a white Christmas this year.
The City of Seattle and the Puget Sound Region have been in a state of snow emergency since this past Wednesday. Currently most of the region's road conditions are dangerous and residents have been advised to stay home. There are only 27 snow plows for the entire city and more than 8 inches of snow has fallen. Many travelers have been grounded at Seattle Tacoma International Airport, and the City's buses are providing minimal service. More snow is predicted this evening, tomorrow, and the following day.
We in the Seattle University Admissions Office are particularly frustrated by this. While decisions have been made on all applications for Early Action first time freshman admission for fall quarter 2009 admission, we were in the process of printing and proof reading notificaton letters and preparing them for mailing when the storm hit. Although the University opened Thursday it was then compelled to close at 11:30 that morning due to worsening weather conditions and currently remains closed. Unless the temperature rises above freezing it is unlikely we will be able to travel to work tomorrow, which is the last day the University is officially scheduled to be open until January 5. Personally, I travelled to the office Saturday to work, but was forced to leave after three hours when heavy snow resumed.
As soon as the roads become passable (save Christmas Day itself) members of the Admissions Staff will return to campus to make sure that admissions notifications to Early Action applicants are mailed. However, despite our stated intention to mail decision letters tomorrow this is now most likely to take place sometime after December 25. Unfortunately, we cannot predict what that date will be. Please do not call the admissions office to request your admissions decision over the telephone. Besides the fact that we will be closed until January 5, to assure the security and confidentiality of applicants it is Seattle University's policy not to provide admissions decisions over the telephone.
Please know that we sincerely regret any inconvenience this delay in notification may cause you. We are unfortunately at the mercy of nature in this situation.
While the weather is highly unusual (snow itself is rare in Seattle) it is quite beautiful and local skiers have finally gotten the snow for which they had been clamoring. We hope this message finds you safe and secure, and we wish you a happy Christmas season. Thank you for your patience.
Sincerely,
Michael K. McKeon
Dean of Admissions