How many university students can boast that their admission offers were hand-delivered by a six-foot-tall mythical creature?

That’s what happened for some prospective University of Guelph students Wednesday when their admission offers were brought to their homes by Guelph’s mascot, Gryph.

Gryph, accompanied by staff from Admission Services, surprised a handful of local student hopefuls over the dinner hour.

“Mothers were shrieking, fathers were hugging, family dogs were barking, and students were all smiles — thrilled to have received an offer this way,” says Angi Roberts, information services manager in Admission Services.

“One household even received two offers: twins!”

The surprise was part of a Twitter campaign called “wherewillGryphshowupnext.”

Admission Services has been busy generating the first round of offers over the last few days. “We’ve been photographing Gryph assisting with stuffing the offer packages, getting the packages to the mail room, and then last night, actually delivering offers to students’ homes,” Roberts says.

“The response has been incredible, and it has brought levity to what can be a nail-biting time for high school students awaiting news about their university choices.”

Roberts says many more offers will be extended over the coming months.  “Maybe Gryph will bring one to your house.”