<p>I think a lot of likely letter recipients like myself are wondering if there is a correlation between receiving a likely letter and merit aid. Can a current student or someone who has received a letter in prior years shed some light on this?</p>
<p>Got a letter, got full tuition merit aid and then some, but so did one of my good friends from hs who got nothing. So no.</p>
<p>Just what is a "likely letter"? I haven't heard of it before.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>silentsailor, could you clarify? did your friend get merit and aid no likely letter, or a likely letter and no merit aid?</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure his friend got $ but no letter.
And kumitedad, likely letter basically means a very good chance of admission without telling you that you got admitted.</p>
<p>My friend got a likely letter and no merit aid. Sorry, I shouldn't post that late...;)</p>
<p>ah i see. thanks for clarifying.</p>
<p>If we don't get one, does that mean we won't get aid though?</p>
<p>^No, because around 20-30% of freshmen get merit aid. I don't think they send that many likely letters.</p>
<p>The likely letter seems to be new with Rice. I suspect that this policy was implemented after Rice did away with non-binding EA. In the past, most competitive applicants routinely applied EA; and acceptances often came with a letter awarding a merit scholarship (much more satisfying than a likely letter).</p>
<p>I just double checked their website; it says they are binding early action -- why do you think this has changed?</p>
<p>Rice used to have two early application options: the standard early decision, and a more unique "Interim Decision" in which an applicant would apply by December 1 and hear back in February.</p>
<p>Is it possible for someone to get a likely letter and get rejected later on in March? I got one yesterday dated Feb. 23, 2009. I think I am still in denial. Like... how certain are these likely letters - do they mean a definite acceptance or what?</p>
<p>Simple answer, yes you are basically accepted. Then again, your always gonna wonder why it's called a likely letter in the first place and of course it's not official. I think it's to get you excited about Rice early in the acceptance game...don't worry about it. I've never heard of an instance where someone received a likely letter and was later rejected (unless you start doing horribly in your classes).</p>
<p>I GOT ONE TOO!! :)</p>
<p>I don't know how likely it is that I will actually attend Rice, but it still made my day.</p>
<p>How many people get likelies?</p>
<p>so how do they decide who is in the top 20 - 30 percent and get scholarships (sat, gpa, minority factor). and how much is the typical scholarship</p>