A few comments here....
- Prepster's comments so spot-on...I just don't see how to improve on them.
- For schools that were going to be a close call admissions-wise, for both sons (who were very good students, but still...), we just flat out asked. I still remember talking to Stanford Coach Marquess...after 2 hours of mostly him talking, I said, "I have one question - will he get admitted?" Answer was honest and forthright. When he later asked for a commitment before the admission decision was 'in,' our answer was, "Once we know he is admitted, we will discuss and get down to business on that." A few days later, it was all done. Son was admitted and committed (a little Johnny Cochrane rhyming there - huh?
). - We did hear language with both boys along the lines of, 'We plan/expect/hope to make you an offer,' but without an offer that day or week or month. I took it seriously. I think in most cases, the schools did. Our younger son's ultimate school made their offer about 2-3 months later. Didn't bother me. Him neither, he accepted. I think its a sign of several things - the 'plan/expect/hope' comment - could be they're still evaluating? Could be they're waiting on someone else to decide? Could be they're still unsure of how much? None of that bothered me at all.
I'm a very straightforward person - questions like this - admissions? We just asked. I feel like we got honest answers each time.