<p>(I also posted this in the Harvard forum, but would like some general feedback). </p>
<p>I recently mentioned my Harvard likely letter to my school counselor. Word spread around quickly, and my school's headmaster is requesting a copy of my likely letter to "announce" and keep in our school files. But I feel that I have the right to keep my likely letter private, as it is an understanding between me and Harvard University. I can understand my highschool wanting a copy of an acceptance letter, but I feel that requesting a copy of a likely letter is going too far.</p>
<p>Why would he/she need to withdraw all other apps?</p>
<p>Did they say why they wanted it (perhaps for reference for future years/likely letter acceptees), and have you talked to your counselor about it? If you described that you’d like to keep it to yourself for privacy reasons, I cant imagine they’d force you</p>
<p>What sport were you recruited for (Saw that you were an athletic recruit in another post). I just looked through your previous posts and I wasn’t even aware that Harvard recruited for cheerleading/gymnastics?</p>
<p>What sport were you recruited for (Saw that you were an athletic recruit in another post). I just looked through your previous posts and I wasn’t even aware that Harvard recruited for cheerleading/gymnastics?</p>
<p>It’s not an athletic recruitment letter. It’s a letter indicating a student is likely to be admitted to a particular college. Some colleges that send acceptance decisions at the end of March send likely letters to their top applicants. The applicants have no obligation to the college.</p>
<p>I agree with the OP that this is none of the high school’s business. I’d suggest playing naive and telling your counselor that you believe that the LL is not absolutely indicative that you will be accepted and that because of your (feigned, of course) doubt about this, you’d prefer to keep this “news” private. They should respect that.</p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck.</p>
<p>Edit: You are under no obligation to withdraw other applications.</p>
<p>Thanks for your responses. I’ve decided that I will not give them a copy of this likely letter. I will wait until I know for certain where I am going to college, and give them the acceptance letter for only that school.</p>
<p>DiamondsXXX: If you are indeed an athletic recruit, as it would seem from other posts of yours, are you not morally committed to Harvard now? It is my understanding that if you are at the point where you are receiving an athletic LL from a college like Harvard/Princeton (that cannot admit you early), you are at the point where you have essentially verbally committed to them prior to the LL being sent to you. It is a serious issue on the school’s part. Have you not had that feeling in your relationship with the coach/team?</p>
<p>Everything I ever read here at CC says that any athlete receiving a likely via official visits/coach support etc because of recruiting has verbally commited in order to get the likley…</p>
<p>I really think its a moral commitment and not a legal one. I just got a likely letter from Dartmouth the other day for Track. I have absolutely no intention of not going there, but I was never told there was any consequences if I don’t choose to go there now. I don’t think a verbal commitment, especailly since I’m under 18, can cause any legal action.</p>
<p>Whoa! The question was: do I have to give a copy of my LL to my HS? And somehow it’s turned around to be about whether you’ll go there or not. Are you all playing “telephone”? </p>
<p>Well, no you don’t have to share your LL to anyone, but I suggest you don’t talk about it, even to your GC. If asked, say something like, “Since nothing is official, I don’t want to jinx anything.” Separately: to go or not to go: wait until you’ve been officially offered, then decide.</p>
<p>Darn. I really wish I hadn’t mentioned it to my counselor in the first place. It went like this:
C: Have you heard from any colleges yet?
Me: Harvard sent me a letter saying that I am likely to be admitted.
C: Congratulations! You’re going to Harvard.
Me: But it’s not official yet.
C: Nice! You’re going to Harvard.
Me: Ok</p>
<p>Soon afterward, I am asked for a copy of the letter for “recording purposes.” Pftt.</p>
<p>^They’re BSing about the recording purposes. They just want it so in the future they can tell others that their high school got someone into Harvard. It’s all reputation. Actually, they want to do that NOW.</p>
<p>IMO, having a significant number of people, especially faculty, know about my letter is risky. What if someone tries to sabotage? I really wish I could keep this confidential. And advice for others accepted into coveted schools: Don’t tell everyone and anyone about your acceptance because holding this prize puts you in the danger zone. It’s similar to the idea of not displaying your wealth openly. Although you want to flaunt it, don’t overdo it.</p>