likely letters...?

<p>so i've seen on some forums that some schools (ahem, duke and dartmouth) have started sending out likely letters.</p>

<p>i was wondering if these letters come out in waves...? idk. it seems a bit early for it (in my opinion) especially for dartmouth. last year someone got her likely letter in the beginning of march so idk if they're doing it earlier this year or if they usually come out in waves</p>

<p>also have any other schools done it?</p>

<p>ah this is making me nervous, even though i know most applicants dont get one (and i shouldn't expect to be any different either)</p>

<p>Most likely letters are for athletes or otherwise exceptional candidates. Unless you’re an athlete, I wouldn’t worry.</p>

<p>By Ivy agreement, likely letters by those eight schools can be issued as early as Oct 1 through mid March.</p>

<p>My son received a likely letter from Dartmouth 2 wks ago and a likely call/letter from Yale last week. Is it unusual to get these letters (not an athlete) from two Ivies? Is there any truth to the rumor that admission to one Ivy can mean less likelihood admission to others or all? we are clearly thrilled meanwhile. He is also accepted EA at Georgetown.</p>

<p>“Is it unusual to get these letters (not an athlete) from two Ivies?” </p>

<p>Wouldn’t think so. Since their criteria are quite similar, they would see the same valued students – and that’s why they want to send LLs – because they know other top schools will be courting them as well.</p>

<p>"Is there any truth to the rumor that admission to one Ivy can mean less likelihood admission to others or all? " </p>

<p>There are numbers of students w/multiple Ivy admits every year. Your kid being one of them. I was as well. What do you think about his “rumor”.</p>

<p>Congrats to you and your son. I hope he likes blue more than green ;)</p>

<p>thank you so much very helpful! definitely blue leaning right now! We are feeling the love. I-: He is heading for visits in early April–he won’t be able to attend the official weekend visits due to lead in a high school show.</p>

<p>The rumor is from Ivyparent hopefuls and some alum. So… for the kid with political/gov/economics ambitions, comedy/drama/debate, do you think blue tops
the reds and orange too?</p>

<p>I’m biased rivasrivers: among my “blue” classmates were Paul Giamatti (Sideways, Cinderella Man, John Adams), Anderson Cooper (CNN, 60 Minutes, etc.), Ron Livingston (Office Space, Band of Brothers), and a huge slew of actors/artists/govt/politicos and a variety of other interesting people.</p>

<p>It is an amazing collection of arts and culture along w/the political/financial scene. I loved it there.</p>

<p>thank you! that is all so exciting - i’m ready to go!</p>

<p>… and when I mean my “classmates” I mean these guys were in my year alone.</p>

<p>that’s really impressive! i went to sarah lawrence and we always claim all the celebs/notables so the classmate brag is huge! thnx!!</p>

<p>Just wanted to bump up this thread.</p>

<p>Congrats, Rivas.</p>

<p>I’m curious about what typically grabs adcoms enough to send out a likely letter. For those of you who have gotten them, what do you think stood out in your application to entice the ivies or other competitive schools to let you know they are interested?</p>

<p>That’s a great question maggiedog. I see so many amazing stats here that I’ve been curious what makes the likely kids stand out. Advice he got along the way was not to worry about being wellrounded as much as pointy–showing strengths and passion in certain areas but not all. Of course all the elements have to be there-academic rigor/grades/scores/great recommendations I think are really meaningful, and - he did a really good job at telling a story about himself though his essays and extracurriculars. Yes, multicultural background and appreciation of all kinds of diversity (including diversity of interests) was important, probably. A great sense of humor is always helpful too. Others may want to add what they think made them stand out ahead the other standouts.</p>

<p>Thanks. I definitely would be interested in others’ experiences. The only thing I have heard is that athletes and those with a “hook” such as URMs, first gen. college students, or those from a remote geographic area get likely letters. I am wondering if individuals without any of these criteria have gotten any, since this assumption may be false.</p>

<p>No hook for my D (in fact she is probably the anti-hook poster child) but she still got a likely letter from a tippy top school. Her SATs were right at the top 25% line; she had tons of ECs with lots of sports and student leadership positions; still maintained straight As. What I think might have done it for her was being a student ambassador for our city (a hugely competitive process) and/or fantastic LORs (several teachers say she is one of their favorite students ever)</p>

<p>Yes, some senior members can comment too. But as far as academic likely letters go I would guess that trying to find the “hook” is not useful. The likely letter is a way I think of showing the love to candidates who are probably going to get in at a lot of competitive schools based on more than one factor. Other than athletic likely letters or arts standouts, I’d never heard of the practice before our experience.</p>

<p>TV4caster:</p>

<p>Congrats on your daughter. I would bet that the ambassador position did it, since it sounds really fabulous and over the top. Many other kids have similar top stats with top SATS, grades, ECs, sports, LORs, but that position sounds pretty exceptional.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Do all potential admitees of the schools that use LL get a letter?</p>

<p>@nosey: have a read here:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804816-quick-facts-about-likely-letters.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/yale-university/804816-quick-facts-about-likely-letters.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The answer to your question is a resounding NO.</p>