<p>Has anyone ever heard of somebody receiving a likely letter in the regular decision round, only winding up rejected or waitlisted? I know it is frequently stressed that a likely is only a "probable" but I was wondering if in any case that anyone knows about someone was rejected. (This being after first semester grades are sent in, so no new information, like bad grades, would reach the admissions office before the official letters are sent out)</p>
<p>my niece had several letters she was sure were likely letters, ( althohg I didn't see them- just heard descriptions)
they were from several Ivies and she was denied at all
however- she was accepted to a fine school and graduated last spring :)</p>
<p>Same experience as Kity.</p>
<p>I have never heard of someone getting a true likely letter and then getting rejected.</p>
<p>it depends on what you mean by "likely letter". Many people get some sort of encouraging mass mailing before the application deadline that is intended to get more people to apply and which has nothing to do with the actual competitiveness of the recipient. They can look fairly personal ("Dear Jane, because of your performance on the AP exam..."). Some families take them to mean the kid has a chance at that school when in fact, they don't.</p>
<p>I have not heard of getting a likely letter and then being rejected. Maybe it is a matter of how folks are interpretting various pieces of mail. I'd have to see specifics to be able to tell.</p>
<p>It has been my experience (as D did receive likely letters from a couple of school ) that the admissions did follow. The likely letter actually came from the dean of admissions and stated that after reviewing her application that admission was very likely. The admissions letter did come in april.</p>
<p>However, it does not mean that the admission cannot be rescinded as they are conditional on successful completion, for a major bout of senioritis,failure to graduate, etc. Some students got their admissions rescinded after being picked up for underage drinking during admitted students days and there was a person at D's school who got kicked out during freshman orientation.</p>
<p>here is an example of a likely letter:</p>
<p>Greetings from Dartmouth. I hope your senior year is going well and taht you are enjoying your courses and activities.</p>
<p>My purpose in writing is very simple- we have reviewed your application and think you are an outstanding prospect for Dartmouth. I recently read your folder 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.</p>
<p>I see no reason to delay letting you know about the status of your application, and I hope this early indication will "ease your mind" a bit. The college admissions process is unnecessarily long and anxious for many students. So, relax, get back to that book you meant to read, and use this time to reflect on your plans and goals for the next phase of your education.</p>
<p>If you have any questions about Dartmouth, please let me know. In the meantime, best wishes for the remainder of your high school career.</p>
<p>Our likely letter experience is very similar to sybbie's...not quite as committed as davann's. The wording and tone were much more specific than those earlier mass mailings that seem positive and cuddly, though.</p>
<p>I don't know of anyone, whose likely letters I actually read, who were later rejected.</p>
<p>My S received some very encouraging and personalized letters as well, but these were all sent to him before the application deadlines. I can see how someone might get the wrong idea about some of them. At that point he had transcripts, SATs and recs in, but had not yet mailed the remaining apps since he applied elsewhere ED. I interpreted these letters as a last ditch effort on their part to get S to mail in his app, nothing more.</p>
<p>A true likely letter comes from a school known to send them, arrives after the application deadline, and is pretty specific as to the meaning. Most real likely letters mean that contingent on continued performance in school and no scandalous behavior - you're in. </p>
<p>Because many schools are not allowed to send out RD acceptances before April 1, likely letters are a way for the schools to try and court favor with the applicant ahead of time, relieve some anxiety and hopefully increase their yield come spring. But, if my child received a true likely letter from an Ivy or any school and was then rejected, I'd certainly want to know why!</p>
<p>All I can tell you is that a colleague's D just got her likely letter from my alma mater (a school known to send them) , and they are celebrating over there!</p>
<p>Had to search the thread but I found it. Dartmouth does send out multiple versions of their likely letter. They do change a little year over year but the sentiments are the same:</p>
<p>Dartmouth College extends its warmest greetings and hearty congratulations for your outstanding academic achievements. As we in the Admissions Office continue to evaluate the appliecations we have received for the Calss of 2008, a small and selct group of well-qualified students emerges. We take great pleasure in informing you that youare part of this talented group and that you consider the possibility of continuing your education at Dartmouth College.</p>
<p>Our review process is not yet entirely complete, but we did want you to know that your admission to Dartmouth is very likely. We beleive that you would make a substantial contribution to the Dartmouth community, and that the unique opportunites offered by Dartmouth provide unparralleled access to greater knowledge. We encourage you to learn more about Dartmouth, its faculty, facilities and student body. In order to help you discover more about Dartmouth, a select group of students will be invited to attend "dimensions of Dartmouth." This special program, to introduce you to life at Dartmouth, will run from Thursday April XX thru Sunday April XX: we hope you will keep these dates in mind and plan to attend. Assistance with transportation expenses will be offered to students who demonstrated eligibility for need-based scholarship financial aid. Please call the Admissions Oddice as soon as possible at 1-800-xxx-xxxx during regular bsuiness hours about making travel arrangements for "Dimensions of Dartmouth."</p>
<p>Dartmouth is fortunate to have a comprehensive and generous need-based financial aid program, which meets the demonstrated financial need of all students during their entire enrollment at the Colelge. Should you and your family wish additional information on our financial aid programs, we invite you to be in touch with the Office of Financial Aid at 1-800-xxx-xxxx.</p>
<p>It is our hope that this letter will give you additional time to make an informed decision concerning your college plans. Oncew again, contratualtions and we will be in contact with you in April.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Karl M. Furstenberg
Dean of Admissions
and Financial Aid</p>
<p>hmm Dartmouth is one school that my niece recieved a letter from- I don't know if it actually used the term "likely", I didn't see it. My sister told me that it had "handwritten" notes indicating how much they wanted her to apply/enjoyed her application.
I was skeptical, I had seen "handwritten "notes before on sales pitches, and even if they had the admission office staff write notes on letters, I didn't think it meant she was admitted before they had recieved official proof.
My daughter who was admitted to all her schools, didn't recieve any likely letters, but her cousin who was only admitted to , two schools, recieved about 3 or 4 letters. They were overly confident of the superiority and unusual ability of their daughter anyway, and were likely to take any encouragement as confirmation.
She didn't have senior slump or get into trouble at school, but wasn't unable to visit although she did have off campus interviews. I don't think that an interview would make or break an acceptance, but I dont think she probably interviews very well.</p>
<p>I am really suprised as it has been my experience that Dartmouth doesn't send our a lot of promotional stuff encouraging people to apply </p>
<p>(but I also do not know how long ago this transpired and maybe this is something that they no longer do).</p>
<p>This letter came off the Dartmouth thread but one of S's best friends got one this past week. He had been deferred by Harvard ED.</p>
<p>When you get a resally likely letter, you're in unless something truly awful happens--an F, a suspension....</p>
<p>When you get a resally likely letter, you're in unless something truly awwful happens--an F, a suspension....</p>
<p>I agree with Sybbie7 and I'd like to add my thoughts as well...</p>
<p>Likely letters are pretty common for athletes. I've never heard of anyone receiving one and not being admitted. My D received her likely letter from Yale early in her Senior year. The coach called first and she knew it was coming. It was important to know before giving up scholarship opportunities at other schools. The underlying message was - we'll admit you if you don't screw up between now and the end of your senior year!</p>