Has anyone received a likely letter yet for Dartmouth regular decision class of 2020?
The Ivies can send LLs out anytime between Oct 1st and Mar 15th. How each school uses them is individual to that college. Whether or not D has issued any is of no particular consequence to any individual save for recruited athletes. No sane applicant should be wondering “might I get one?”
They’re recruiting tools by the college, reserved for the strongest applicants. If you happen to be picked, rejoice. But no one should wonder or pine away hoping for one. It only heaps on anxiety and later, disappointment. Most admitted students never receive one. I’d advise to simply enjoy your Senior year. You’ve worked hard, now enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you’re a viable D applicant, whatever school you attend in Sept will be lucky to have you.
I thought the past couple years that about 30 percent of the applicants that were accepted RD to Dartmouth received a likely letter. So I understand that 70 percent did not but I do not think anticipating the possibility of a letter makes someone insane.
Wonder if they come by email?
The student asked a simple question, and did not even indicate that he was anticipating a letter personally. I’m sure most applicants realize that the odds of a likely letter are low. Suggesting that he is not “sane” for asking is unnecessary, and shuts down further conversation.
Likely letters are rarely sent to non recruited students. @T26E4 is correct, unless there is something beyond extraordinary about you it is extremely unlikely for an Ivy to email you an LL. And by beyond extraordinary I mean 2400 SAT plus 2 800s in subject tests+ 4.0 GPA +IB all 7s forecasted or similar AP, Intel Science Award Winner, Working with doctors without borders in Sudan, the coming of jesus LORs OR you are a heavily recruited athlete.
Not sure why anyone thinks he is being impolite. He is simply stating the truth. And I did not think there is anything wrong with him using the words he did.
@GoodGrief16 Of course I’m speaking in hyperbole. I’m not actually questioning the mental soundness of anyone who would wonder about a LL. I’m trying to bluntly tell people to not torture themselves over something they have no control over. There is so much to enjoy about HS from now until graduation. Like I said, applicants have worked hard and should now try to relax and let come what may.
Can people wonder? Sure. But to spend any time or energy beyond the passing dreaming is self defeating and I would say, foolish.
I didn’t know that Dartmouth LLs are mostly for athletes. My alma mater uses them for athletes and top STEM applicants and a handful of other “superstars” – however they define them.
Dartmouth has traditionally sent out many more likely letters than other Ivies. About 500 likely letters from mid February through mid March. That is about 30 percent of the applicants they plan to accept RD. It’s a lot more than athletes.
Lol sorry if i offended anyone. I was just wondering since Dartmouth is known to send more likely letter than other schools of similar caliber, and a lot of those schools have already sent out likely letters. I do not in any way expect a likely letter or worry about getting one.
It wasn’t a bad question, @anonymouswalrus, and I’m sure you weren’t alone in wondering 
@swimgirl1 - My friends got their likely letters through snail mail last year!
I don’t think Dartmouth LLs are only for athletes. I had two (non-athlete) friends who applied to Dart last year, and BOTH got likely letters (-> later accepted). Neither were STEM applicants, neither got 2400s, and neither were “working with doctors without borders in Sudan.” Of course they were qualified to apply to Ivies, but I don’t think they were THAT extraordinary. They both just had really amazing and sincere essays.
Do all legacy applicants get a letter explaining about the impact being a legacy of Dartmouth has on admittance? DS received a letter recently. Actually, husband received it. It read like a likely letter but not sure what a likely letter reads like. Anyone?
D (2013) was not a recruited student. D got a likely letter. She was not the only one in her class. How common they are I do not know. But they are definitely NOT limited to recruited students.
@dowzerw [interesting name & avatar]: A likely letter is pretty darned explicit. D’s [from the director of admissions] read “My purpose in writing is very simple — we have reviewed your application and think you are an outstanding prospect for Dartmouth. In fact, I recently read your file and was exceedingly impressed with your academic accomplishments and intellectual potential. There is no question that when we mail our final decisions at the end of March, you will be offered admission to the College.” There are probably different versions/intonations/nuances.
Wow. That definitely clarifies! What was received on this end, then, was just making nice to alum parents of applicants letter. Thank you, @AboutTheSame
Legacy odds are very good, so the fact that it might not be a likely letter is not a negative. Best of luck to your son.
Any news about likelies? Any idea when they might be sent out?
As I recall from the last thread on this subject, they start in February (D got hers in the middle of the month), and they continued in waves until a couple of weeks before the RD decisions were announced.
@AboutTheSame Thanks for answering our relentless questions. Helps to have input from someone who’s been there.
I disagree that Dartmouth likely letters are only for superstars. LLs are used as a tool to increase yield. A couple of years ago a kid I know that applied ED was deferred then ended up receiving a LL letter in the RD round. Did he suddenly become incredibly desirable between December and March? No, but since he had shown that Dartmouth was his first choice, the LL went a long way in easing any hurt feelings and increasing the chance he would matriculate.
@planner03 : Entirely possible – especially in recent years with the number of PR hits that Dartmouth has taken. If you’re interested, you can find posts by the very cynical (but not necessarily incorrect) Joe Asch ('79) on this and related topics at dartblog.com (e.g., the use of ED, the waiting list, and legacy applicants to protect yield).