Likely Letters

February is the month for likely letters. Likely letters may come
from top colleges under a set of special circumstances, as we
discuss below. Since we know many of our students receive these
letters, we wanted to shed some light on what they mean and how
to handle them – or handle NOT getting one! One thing is for
sure: even if you receive a likely letter, it is extremely
important to keep your grades up for the remainder of the year!
While it is mostly true that a likely letter is the same thing as
an acceptance letter, this will not be the case if you let your
grades slip! Getting behind in a class? Check out our ABC
Academic Tutoring package to get your grades back on track!

LIKELY LETTERS

As you know by now from reading these newsletters, college
admissions is not transparent. Likely letters, for instance, are
a bit on the gray side. Many top colleges will send out a “likely”
letter in February—often to recruited athletes, minority applicants,
superacademic stars and other special cases—saying that although
they can’t tell you officially, it is “likely” that you will be accepted in
April. YES, that IS the same as an acceptance letter as long as your
grades don’t drop or anything. Some things to keep in mind though
about likely letters:

1. Not all schools send them, so if you don’t get one, it may not
mean anything

2. There is a timing issue — colleges are not allowed to send
likely letters after a specific date (usually late February) so
if they haven’t had a chance to read your application two or
three times, you won’t get one EVEN IF YOU QUALIFY.

3. Colleges use some kind of ranking scale for likely letters.
For instance, Dartmouth uses a 1-9 scale, and usually only 8’s
and 9’s (or the equivalent) get likely letters.

4. Keep in mind that certain targeted groups like African
Americans and Hispanics can get a likely even if they are slightly lower on the scale, say 6-7. Every school is a bit different.
In short, you should not panic if you do NOT receive a likely
letter. In actual fact, only a small percentage of apps ever get
one (usually 10% or less). But if you do get one, relax and be
happy! Some of the pressure from regular decision should be
melting away….

Do read this article in the Harvard Crimson about 2008 Likely Letters.

SAMPLE LIKELY LETTER

Here is a copy of a REAL likely letter:

Dear X:

Your application to Cornell University has been reviewed by the
admissions selection committee, and I am writing to let you know
that you are very likely to be admitted to Cornell. Although the
Ivy League schools won’t officially notify students of their
admission decisions until later this month, we wanted to share
this good news with you now.

I hope this advance notice will encourage you to learn more about
Cornell. I invite you to visit the campus in the near future if
you have not already done so. In addition, we will be inviting
accepted international students to a Web chat in early April.
Current international students and members of the admissions
staff will be on hand for several hours to answer questions
online. An e-mail invitation with the time and date of the chat
will be sent later. Another great way to explore Cornell is
through our Web site: http://www.cornell.edu/.

And speaking of visiting, please mark your calendar with the
dates of our annual Cornell Days program, which begins on
Thursday, April 5, and runs on selected dates through Monday,
April 16. The Cornell Days program is an opportunity for you to
meet faculty and students, have lunch in one of our outstanding
dining facilities, tour the campus, and ask all the questions you
may have about Cornell. Details can be found at
http://www.xxx.com. In addition, Ithaca itself is a charming
college town offering much to do and see. If you are unavailable
during the dates listed, you can arrange to visit at a time that
is convenient for you and your family.

Detailed information on housing and dining options will be sent
with admission letters. In the meantime, you can begin to
explore residential living and dining options via the Web at
http://www.xxx.com.

For international students, The International Students and
Scholars Office (ISSO) provides programming and advice on a
variety of topics. Detailed information concerning visas,
financial matters, and orientation for international students
will also be sent with admission letters, but an introduction to
the ISSO staff and services can be found at their Web site:
http://www.xxx.com.

If you have any questions about Cornell, we would love to hear
from you. Call 607-xxx-xxxx or e-mail us at X if we can be of
assistance.

Please accept my congratulations on your many achievements! I
wish you the very best as you complete your final school year,
and I look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to the
campus as a future Cornellian.

Sincerely,
Associate Provost
Admissions and Enrollment

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