Waiting for a college acceptance letter can be anxious for prospective students. However, for incoming LSU students, anxiety can turn into excitement as they await a special and unique way to celebrate an acceptance.
LSU started mailing pop-up style acceptance letters two years ago, starting with the class of 2022. The outside of the acceptance letters is a simple purple background with a metallic gold “LSU” on the front. Many students were surprised when the letter opened to an extravagant purple and gold pop-up depiction of the LSU memorial tower and banner that reads ‘congratulations.’
Petroleum engineering freshman Hunter Kear liked the acceptance letter because it was different from what any other college did for its prospective students.
“It [the pop-up letter] is extra, but it honestly was one of the reasons my family and I chose LSU,” Kear said. “They put forth the extra effort to make themselves unique from any other college.”
Secondary education freshman Gabrielle Ogletree said she decided to take it with to school to show off the accomplishment when she received it in the mail.
“I am from a big school in Texas and LSU was the only school I applied to,” Ogletree said. “I was so excited to go to LSU that when I got it [acceptance letter] in the mail, I thought, ‘wow, this is so awesome I have to take this to school with me.’ I took it to school to show and thank everyone who had helped me get to this point.”
Ogletree said the acceptance letter was exciting because of its unique pop-up aspect. She had never seen anything like it from another college. She believes the unique letter is what proved to her that LSU is where she needed to be.
“I think the letter was another sign that LSU was the right place to be because it was unique and extra, but in a good way because so am I,” Ogletree said. 
Kinesiology sophomore Tyler Gonzalez said receiving such an interesting acceptance letter made him feel a sense of accomplishment he had never felt.
“When I was in high school, and I received that purple and gold letter in my hands, I felt more accomplished in myself than I have ever felt before,” Gonzalez said. “When I saw the acceptance letter I almost cried. I wanted to come to LSU since I was little, so it was a dream to become a part of the purple and gold.”
Students who got the pop-up acceptance letters received more than just a  confirmation that they could attend the school. They also received a special keepsake that could be cherished.
Business junior Nicole Davis said she received a traditional paper acceptance letter rather than a pop-up letter. She thinks LSU should continue sending pop-up letters because it is a great way to show what kind of school it is.
“It would have been really cool to get the good news in that way,” Davis said.
The Reveille contacted Shay McLaughlin, assistant to the director of the Office of Admissions who said the Office of Admissions declined to comment.
Gonzalez said the pop-up style acceptance letters give prospective students a feeling of pride towards being a part of LSU.
“LSU is such a great school that people marvel at,” Gonzalez said. “It makes me feel good to know that I can say I go there, attend those classes, walk those halls. It is so satisfying to know they will be able to do it, too.”