For the record number of 21,839 University of Virginia applicants eagerly anticipating their decision letters, the wait is finally over. The Office of Admissions is mailing the letters today, and for would-be freshmen too impatient to wait for the mailman, decisions will also be posted online at 5pm. A total of 6,331 students will be receiving acceptance letters: 3,276 Virginians and 3,055 out-of-staters.

The class of 2013 applicant pool represents a 17 percent increase over the class of 2012. Unfortunately for students, this also means an increase in competition. According to the Office of Admissions, this year’s acceptance rate is 28.9 percent, as opposed to last year’s 35 percent acceptance rate.

First-year hopefuls, however, should not be too alarmed by the lower acceptance rate. Despite fears that the recession would force universities to accept fewer students, UVA’s ultimate enrollment goal is 3,240, which is 70 more than last year.

UVA will hold five “Days on the Lawn” over the next few weeks for accepted students. Students have until May 1 to make a deposit online signaling their acceptance.