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College Likely Letters

By Eric Eng

By Eric Eng

Scholarship document, admission paper or letter on table.

College Likely Letters

“Likely Letters” are fantastic news for the chosen few who receive them in the US educational system. Colleges don’t discuss them openly, so there is some mystique around these mysterious letters. Students frequently wonder who receives them and what qualifications must be met. Let’s dispel the mystery and address some of the most often-asked queries regarding likely letters.

What is a likely letter?

So what is a likely letter? It is actually a letter from highly selective colleges and famous universities for their elite applicants. These are often referred to as “love letters.” This method of recruitment is utilized to find the best candidates in both academics and athletics.

Before the official decision notifications are sent out in late March and early April, students who receive these letters are given a “heads-up” that they are probably going to be admitted to the institution. A letter of admission is frequently hinted at while flattering the candidate.

What does a likely letter mean?

You may think, “What does a likely letter mean?” Well, it’s a technique for universities, especially Ivies, to reassure some students that they are among their top picks for admission.  Similar to saying, “While it’s not yet official, we want you to join us. You’ll get admitted if you don’t do anything to endanger it during the next few months.”

A close up look of an application paper being filled out by a female student

What does a likely letter look like?

Now let’s talk about what a likely letter looks like. Typical sentences include:

I’m happy to let you know that “Super-Prestigious University” has carefully reviewed your application and has identified you as a contender for admission.

It’s a strategy for the institution, which prioritizes high matriculation rates (the proportion of admitted students who enroll), to encourage students to choose their school by utilizing positive psychology.

When do likely letters come out?

But some arrive as early as December and some as late as March; most likely letters arrive in February. Athletic recruiters frequently communicate with the admissions team before sending out these letters to standout players.

Athletes are actively sought after by colleges, particularly if they excel in both their academic studies and athletics. Prior to the arrival of the standard acceptance letters, the institutions want to let athletes know they are interested in them.

Why do universities send likely letters?

Universities want you to know how much they adore you! Although they cannot be relied upon, they get close. Admissions want you to keep the likely letter in mind when making your final college decision.

Are likely letters a guarantee for admission?

Although acceptance is not guaranteed by likely letters, they are the closest thing to a “yes” you’ll get until the formal acceptance letters show up. Receiving a likely letter almost ensures you a place at the school. You will probably be admitted to the school as long as you maintain good grades and avoid getting in trouble with the law or being suspended.

If I don’t receive a likely letter, what happens?

If you don’t receive a letter that seems likely, don’t give up. The majority of applicants who are chosen for admission to the Ivy League and other elite institutions do not receive them.

What colleges send likely letters?

All Ivy League schools, including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and the University of Pennsylvania, send likely letters, despite the fact that most colleges and universities don’t make this information public. These letters are also sent by other famous liberal arts institutions and universities like Duke, Stanford, and the University of Chicago. Generally speaking, few public universities send out likely letters.

Not all colleges send out these letters, particularly if they have a rolling admissions policy. When a college decides a student is a good fit, it sends an acceptance letter as soon as possible.

Top institutions on a list that send likely letters

How can I receive a likely letter?

1. Outstanding academic record

The majority of applicants to prestigious institutions are already top students in their classes. You must have an outstanding GPA, excellent SAT or ACT scores, academic awards from your school, outstanding recommendation, and a personal statement or essay that demonstrates your humility and desire for learning in order to receive a likely letter.

2. A declared and sincere affection for the school

Have you been to the school? Did you explain in your application why you had to go there? The school needs to know that you can’t see yourself anywhere else, just as you want to feel loved. If you can articulate why the institution is the ideal fit for you, your application will be much more likely to stand out.

3. Passion for your extracurricular activities

Ivy League colleges, in particular, value applicants who can dedicate themselves to and succeed in a particular field of activity. They want to see your progress toward your passion or goal, in addition to your recent successes in that field.

A school wants to claim you were born there if they believe you can transform your hobby or interest into a successful or well-known endeavor. They want to be able to brag, in other words.

4. Excellent athletic record

The most likely letters are usually sent to outstanding athletes. If you are a top athlete and have an outstanding academic record, especially if you play a sport that brings in revenue for institutions (football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, or soccer), you will get the Ivies’ attention.

a female student looking at the camera while holding her school text books

Participate in the recruitment process, for instance, by having your coach get in touch with Harvard’s coach. Show the school you’re genuinely interested in joining their sports team by sending recordings, going through the interview process with the athletics department, and visiting the campus.

Final thoughts

It is impossible to fully comprehend the selection process and how each school chooses the final recipients of likely letters because each institution has its own method for making this determination.

The best strategy is to presume that you won’t receive one. Instead, concentrate on maintaining good grades and making plans for the future. Greetings if you do receive one. If you don’t, keep in mind that the majority of students don’t obtain them and that many nevertheless enroll in the college of their choice.

AdmissionSight has skilled professionals with over a decade of experience who can assist you in gaining admission to your desired school here or abroad. We take pleasure in assisting aspirational, goal-driven students. We are certain that our students can compete with the best in the application and admissions processes.

More than 75 percent of AdmissionSight students have been accepted to their dream colleges. Make an appointment for a free consultation today to begin your epic journey.

 

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