A new crop of Cavaliers is setting the internet ablaze this week. They began sharing their excitement from all corners of the globe as soon as the University of Virginia released its regular admission decisions on Wednesday evening.    

Those who were offered a space in the Class of 2021 underwent one of the most competitive admission years in UVA history amid a record number of applicants. Nearly 36,800 students applied to the University in 2017, a more than 13 percent increase over the total in 2016.

“The academic credentials of the Class of 2021 are impressive, but their stories and personal characteristics resonated with our readers and distinguished them in a competitive admission review,” Dean of Admission Gregory W. Roberts said.

“These citizen-scholars represent the very best of their generation. We look forward to welcoming them to Grounds and introducing them to the UVA community.”

The newly admitted students have a mean SAT score of 1,419 and nearly all are in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. In addition to its academic prowess, the Class of 2021 also represents one of the most diverse on record.

The admitted class includes students from all 50 states and 89 countries around the world. Of those, more than 1,000 are first-generation college students and nearly 35 percent identify as members of a minority group.

Soon, many of these students will arrive on Grounds to see all the opportunities that await them here and meet future classmates at a series of Days on the Lawn open house events. They’ll get a feel for life at UVA through a variety of activities, including a chance to sit in on classes, attend a student social, take a tour of residence halls and much more.

Until they can visit Grounds in person, members of the Class of 2021 are reaching out to share their excitement and meet their peers over social media. Below, UVA Today has compiled some of the happy messages that are already pouring in on social media from new Wahoos as they receive their acceptance notifications.