<p>There have been many questions about the principles and practices of Ivy League recruiting, specifically regarding Likely Letters.</p>
<p>Below is a section from a Joint Statement on Common Ivy Group Admissions Procedures, taken from this document:</p>
<p>Early Evaluation Procedure</p>
<p>A. As determined by each institution, admissions offices may advise
applicants of the probability of admission (e.g., likely, possible,
unlikely). Institutions may issue such probabilistic communications
only in writing, from the office of admission. Such letters will have
the effect of letters of admission, to be confirmed on the common
notification date, subject to revocation only on the same terms as
letters of admission.</p>
<p>B. Within each institution’s overall admissions process, from October
1 through March 15 an admission office may issue probabilistic
communications, in writing, to applicants who are recruited student-athletes.
(Such probabilistic communications given by coaches,
whether orally or in writing, do not constitute binding institutional
commitments.) An applicant who receives one or more such written
communications and who has made a decision to matriculate at
one institution is encouraged (but not required) to notify all other
institutions, and to withdraw all other applications, as promptly as
possible.</p>
<p>C. A coach may inquire about the level of commitment to or interest
in an institution of an applicant who is a recruited student athlete,
and an institution may consider that information in deciding
whether or when the admissions office will offer a probabilistic
communication. But an applicant may not be required to withdraw
or not make other applications, or to refrain from visiting another
institution, as a condition for receiving a written likely communication.</p>
<p>D. An institution may send a “likely” probabilistic communication
letter to a candidate (whether or not the applicant is a recruited
student-athlete) only if the applicant has submitted all of the
materials which the institution requires in order to make an
admissions decision.</p>
<p>Also this is very good thread from two years ago:</p>