<p>Alright, so here's the deal: I am pretty math/sciency, into music, good scores, good grades. No siemens/intel semifinalists, though I did participate. I got a likely letter for Columbia and was frankly surprised that I did, seeing as I was Indian and unhooked. Likely letters tend to be used to snag applicants schools don't want other schools to take. Would getting a likely letter from Columbia point to a possibility of also being accepted to HYP, Penn, or MIT?</p>
<p>Since you received a likely letter, it was probably apparent even prior that you were a highly qualified candidate, your modesty here notwithstanding. Admissions is subjective enough, though, that even highly qualified candidates’ results are somewhat unpredictable. </p>
<p>One positive result is auspicious of the others because it suggests underlying strengths; but again, because these strengths are interpreted holistically by humans, it implies no assurances. My results from the last admissions cycle highlight this: Of the most competitive schools I applied to (HYPS, Brown, Columbia), I went into the day of decisions with likely letters for Brown and Columbia but was not accepted to any of HYPS. </p>
<p>In any case congratulations on the likely letter and best of luck with the rest of your choices.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input silverturtle! Sorry about HYPS though-- it is certainly disconcerting to see that these schools can be so unpredictable to turn down such an amazing applicant.</p>
<p>I agree with silverturtle- I think getting a likely letter is a sign that you are a good applicant. I’ve also read that likely letters are sent to applicants that the school believes are likely to be accepted into other top schools, so it’s a way of establishing a connection earlier on in the hopes of getting you to matriculate!</p>
<p>In my personal experience (I’m a senior this year too!), one likely letter probably means other likely letters (this is anecdotal so don’t take it as more than that, I don’t have lots of supporting evidence or anything). After receiving a likely from Harvard, I got likelies from Columbia and UPenn. Most of my other friends who have received likelies, have received them from more than one school. Of the 14 schools I applied to, I’ve heard from 9 and have yet to be rejected (though that means very little since there’s PLENTY of room for rejection on April 1st lol)</p>
<p>So I’d say, a likely letter means you’re a great applicant, but like silverturtle said, since admissions are so subjective, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get in everywhere, haha!</p>
<p>And: CONGRATULATIONS!!!</p>
<p>Knitswim, congrats to you too! I saw some of your posts on the Harvard page. I don’t think I’ll be finding any other letters though, seeing as most schools have already finished sending them out-- making the wait till April 1st all the more suspenseful!</p>
<p>I have been thinking the exact same think as you metal pawn! I have only gotten a likely from Columbia (and don’t get me wrong I am ecstatic that I got at least one), but I was wondering if this held any hope for HYPS as well as the others. I didn’t find myself that stelar of an applicant on the ivy scale but i guess this means the hispanic pool is weak this year (hoorah for me!). and yes congrats knitswim! I’ve seen your posts as well and you can’t believe how envious I am of you right now! Just a month to go now…</p>
<p>thanks to both of ya! Congratulations again on the letters! Although I’m sure we’re all elated about the ones we’ve got, metalpawn, if you’re looking for more, I think a lot of school sends them in waves. I’m pretty sure Dartmouth has had like 3 waves so far (based on various friends’ experiences hehe), and I think Harvard’s come out sporadically in a non wave form…good luck to you both with the rest of your schools, but definitely be excited that you’ve already got AMAZING choices :D</p>
<p>I believe Columbia does relatively well in cross-admit battles with schools like Penn and Brown, so the schools that Columbia typically loses to are HYPSM. Thus, a likely letter would indicate that a) you’re definitely getting into Columbia, b) admissions officers are certain that you applied to other competitive colleges like HYPSM, c) they’re sure that you’re going to get in, and d) they’re afraid you’re not going to choose Columbia. I don’t think it means you’re in necessarily at HYPSM, but the odds are probably in your favor. I remember hearing rumor of a lot of students at Stanford having received a likely letter from Columbia (but ultimately chose Stanford), which sends out a few hundred a year IIRC.</p>
<p>a likely guarantees acceptance right? Im thinking about withdrawing my application from some schools now that I got a likely from Columbia.</p>
<p>Congrats! I received I likely from Yale about a month ago, and so far ones from Dartmouth, Penn, and (just today) Columbia have trickled in, so I’d say there is a connection and you have a good chance of being accepted to a few more Ivies :)</p>
<p>^ Isn’t it funny how students who have already been accepted are so optimistic? ;)</p>