University of Delaware
Counselor Newsletter

‍A bimonthly newsletter with the most up-to-date information from UD undergraduate admissions
January 2026

Laura A. Carlson Appointed UD’s 29th President

Headshots of 5 Fulbright recipients and 5 Plastino Schoalrs

On Dec. 9, 2025, the UD Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Laura A. Carlson as UD’s president.
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Carlson, who served as interim president since July, joined UD in 2022 as provost after more than 25 years at the University of Notre Dame. As provost, Carlson focused on enhancing access, enrollment, programming and academic excellence. Leading cross-disciplinary teams, Carlson helped expand pathways to a UD degree and, in partnership with the colleges, has expanded offerings in Winter and Summer Sessions to create flexibility for students and help them to more easily reach graduation. 
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“Dr. Carlson has demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of our University and a clear passion for the success and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and alumni,” said Terri Kelly, chair of the Board of Trustees.

Medical and molecular sciences students gain hands-on experience through Fox Chase fellowships.
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Delaware became the second team ever to win a bowl game in its first FBS season.
‍Read more>

Six years after falling in love with New Zealand, World Scholar Leah Marsh, now a UD alumna, is now an Auckland resident.
‍Read more>

Season four of Netflix series Love, Death & Robots is based on writing by UD faculty Siobhan Carrol. She says the experience impacts her teaching.
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Decision Notifications and Deadlines

When will your students receive their decision notification?

Click a tab below to learn about decision releases for each application type.

Early Action
Regular Priority Deadline
Nursing, School of Music and Honors
Early action applicants will receive an admissions decision by Jan. 31.
The deadline for regular decision applications was Jan. 15, 2026. All students who submit materials to complete their application after Jan. 15 will be considered on a space-available basis. 

Regular decision notifications will be released starting early February and will then be released on a rolling basis through the end of March. Students will receive their acceptance letters via the My Blue Hen Home student portal and USPS. All other decisions (deny, waitlist, ect.) will arrive via the student portal only. You can check the decisions for your students using your free Slate.org account. If mid-year grades were requested, you can email them to admissions@udel.edu.
Nursing decisions will be released by mid-February. The deadline to apply to the nursing major was Dec. 1. 

School of Music decisions will be released by mid-March. The priority deadline to apply to the School of Music was Dec. 1. Find out more about audition requirements for students provisionally accepted to the University of Delaware.

Honors College decisions are released after an admissions decision. If a student applied and submitted all materials by Dec. 1, they will receive their Honors College decision by mid-March. Students who indicated interest in the Honors College after the Dec. 1 deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Please note: Students who are accepted to the Honors College must accept or decline their offer to join the Honors College in addition to their enrollment offer. 
Additional Application Deadlines
  • Fall 2026 Flex Pathway deadline: June 1
    • UD’s Flex Pathway offers several associate-to-bachelor’s degrees for students across the state of Delaware. Students enrolled in a Flex Pathway can begin their studies full-time or part-time, online or in-person in Wilmington, Dover or Georgetown, and transition to our Newark campus to complete their bachelor’s degree. Students in eligible Flex Pathway programs can even use the SEED Scholarship to cover the cost of their tuition for their associate degree and up to one additional year of their bachelor’s degree. Learn more about our Flex Pathway here.
  • Fall 2026 transfer deadline: June 1
  • ‍Scholarships for Esports: Incoming students interested in joining our varsity esports teams are also eligible for scholarships. Esports scholarships are awarded to a select number of incoming students interested in joining our Blue Hen Esports teams. The priority application deadline is March 20, 2026.

Financial Aid Updates

Students who completed their application by the priority deadline, Jan. 15, will automatically be considered for merit-based scholarships.

In addition to merit scholarships, students may be eligible for need-based aid. To be considered for federal, state or institutional need-based aid, students are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The University of Delaware FAFSA code is: 001431.
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Students will have access to their financial aid offers through My Blue Hen Home as they become available.  
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For more information, please visit our Financing Your Degree page.

Enrichment Opportunities

World Scholars

The priority application deadline for World Scholars is March 1, 2026.

World Scholars is a four-year program where students spend the fall semester of their first year in Italy, England, Greece, New Zealand or Spain. To be considered for World Scholars, students admitted to one of our 100+ eligible majors can apply through My Blue Hen Home. Visit the World Scholars website to learn more.

Student works at a computer and looks toward 3d printer.

Scholars and Fellows

The priority deadline to apply for all Scholars and Fellows Programs is March 3, 2026.

Access:Ability Scholars
Climate Scholars
Community Engagement Scholars
Cybersecurity Scholars
Grand Challenges Scholars
Access:Ability Scholars design new approaches to disability and help build a more inclusive and accessible world.
Climate Scholars become part of the solution to one of the biggest issues facing life on Earth: climate change.
Community Engagement Scholars tackle societal issues and contribute to the public good.
Cybersecurity Scholars examine issues related to cybersecurity.
Grand Challenges Scholars find solutions to the largest challenges facing engineers.

Change-of-Major Request Process for Admitted Students

Students can request a change of major by completing a form in their student portal, My Blue Hen Home, only after an initial decision has been released. Please be advised that available majors may change over time as spaces fill. There is a possibility that students may not be able to re-select their original chosen major after they have completed a change-of-major request. Changes should only be made when students are confident in their selection.

Pre-College Programs for High School Students

Edge Summer Program

Applications for the 2026 Edge summer college program are now open for high-achieving students entering their junior or senior year of high school.

From July 19–Aug. 8, 2026, students can earn 3–6 college credits with many engaging offerings from around UD’s Newark campus. Attendees will also learn about the college search and admissions process, build friendships and take day trips to attractions and major cities in the Northeast U.S.

‍Learn more about Edge and encourage students to apply by our May 1 priority deadline.‍

Student works at a computer and looks toward 3d printer.
Student works at a computer and looks toward 3d printer.

College Readiness Scholars Institute (CRSI)

College Readiness Scholars Institute (CRSI) is for rising 9—12 grade students from Delaware. We offer a free summer college readiness program for first-generation college students and low-income students (i.e. students who qualify for free or reduced lunch). If you know qualifying students who are ready for a life-changing pre-collegiate experience, please encourage them to apply before April 15, 2026!

UD hosts a number of pre-college programs that target almost every interest area. Visit our website to learn about additional programs.

Get to Know UD and Visit

All visit opportunities for prospective students, including events hosted by specific academic programs, are now listed in our prospective student visit portal.

Special events for admitted students, including our open houses and Student Financial Services/Admissions Admitted Student Webinars on Wednesdays, Jan. 28 & March 25, are available for registration in our Admitted Student Events portal. Students can log in using their My Blue Hen Home username and password.

Can't make it to campus? Check out our virtual campus tour on our Explore UD from Anywhere website, and see our list of confirmed college fairs to discover where you can find us around the country. We continue to confirm college fairs daily, so make sure to check back periodically.

International counselors and consultants can contact us at international-admissions@udel.edu to schedule in-person or virtual visits.
Admitted Student Days:
Admitted students and families can curate a full-day visit to UD with self-guided exploration and structured programming from academic departments and other campus partners. Students can register here using their My Blue Hen Home login username and password.

2026 Admitted Student Days: Feb. 21, March 7 and April 11.
Daily Tours:
Daily tours are available for both admitted and prospective students.

Students can find more information and register here. School counselors and consultants interested in a tour should reach out to their admissions representative who can register them for a tour of campus.
Flex Pathway Admitted Student Nights:
Students admitted to UD's Flex Pathway will learn more about what they'll gain in an associate-to-bachelor's program.
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Monday, April 20 - Lewes, DE
Tuesday, April 21 - Dover, DE
Tuesday, April 28 - Wilmington, DE

Students can register here.
Academic Department Tours:
Have a student who wants to know more about a specific college or major at UD? Find the special opportunities we offer to students who want to get to know our academic colleges and departments.

Opportunities for Delawareans

Click a tab below for more information about each.

Dual Degree Programs
First State Promise
Application-fee Waiver

The University of Delaware is partnering with Delaware State University (DSU) to provide DSU students a second degree from UD in the field of engineering. The Dual Degree Program offers students the opportunity to enjoy the HBCU experience they value, while also accessing Research 1 resources and accelerated-degree pathways through the University of Delaware.

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By participating in this program, students earn two degrees in five years: a BS from DSU and either a BS or MS in engineering from UD. Participants in this program have access to:

  • Summer research experience
  • Paid internships
  • Access to UD's RISE program
  • Professional development tailored to their career goals
  • Invitations to UD campus events

Students interested in this program can learn more by completing this form.

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We don’t want the costs of a great education to stand in the way of a student’s future. With First State Promise, we make great strides toward that goal.

First State Promise is a financial package that assures Delaware residents with family incomes of less than $75,000 that their UD tuition will be covered with grants and scholarships, money that does not need to be paid back. Students with a family income of less than $35,000 receive a financial package that covers tuition, fees, standard housing and food expenses. Families with incomes above $75,000 may also be eligible for some aid in addition to any merit scholarships they may have earned. For additional information, visit our finance page for Delawareans.
At UD, we are committed to making a world-class education accessible to all Delawareans. That’s why we are extending our application-fee waiver to Delawareans beyond Launch into Your Future Month (previously called College Application Month), from Aug. 1 until Jan. 15, 2026.
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Delaware residents can apply to UD’s Newark campus for free using either the Common or Coalition application.

Students simply click the “General” section, select “Are you eligible for a University of Delaware application fee waiver?” and select “Yes, I am eligible through participation in Launch Into Your Future Month.” The fee waiver will then be applied to the student’s completed application.

Delaware residents applying to UD’s Flex Pathway through the UD online application will automatically receive a waiver by selecting “Flex Pathway” as their choice major. 

Did You Know? Fun Facts About UD

Learning From Both Sides of The Classroom
The College of Education Human Development at UD is home to a thriving Children's Campus with three education centers for children, serving 450+ children and their families each year. The centers specialize in nature-based education, learning differences and socio-emotional learning.
Older Than Dinosaurs
Delaware’s state marine animal, the horseshoe crab, is older than the dinosaurs! These ancient arthropods lived millions of years before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and they’re still thriving right here on our Delaware beaches. Students in UD's College of Earth, Ocean and Environment hit the beach to study these living fossils.
Why Did the Marching Band Cross the Road?
To get a jaywalking ticket, evidently. Which is what happened one year when the lead drum crossed against the light and the rest of the drum section followed.
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Moo Mobile
UD was the first university to have an ice cream truck! The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is home to UDairy Creamery. This student-led enterprise involves students in the entire process, from the cow to the cone. Our cows provide milk for UDairy Creamery products and our students test ice cream flavors and a variety of cheeses sold at UDairy Creamery and our ice cream truck, the Moo Mobile.

Connect With Us

You can find contact information for your UD admission counselor on our Meet Your Counselor webpage. All emails sent to our main email address, admissions@udel.edu, will also find their way to the appropriate staff member. Likewise, if you would like to add new counseling or teaching staff to our mailing list, please fill out this form. The UD admissions team wishes you all the best for a successful school year.

/UDelaware
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware USA
(302) 831-8123
udel.edu/admissions
@UDelaware