<p>Yes, in some capacity. I know that athletes apply early, their applications are evaluated, and they are issued a likely letter. I don’t know if they review non-athlete applications prior to the deadline.</p>
<p>Re timing and my D’s experience (she was highly recruited athlete and knew where she wanted to go): We were told that LLs cannot be issued until after oct 1st. The week before Oct 1st, school was busy downloading application materials. So, school did not have all the formal application info downloaded anyway until oct 1, at the Ivy we dealt with. D’s LL came out at the beginning of last week (approx oct 6th— perhaps). Adcom had previewed various things like (informal) transcripts, test scores etc which the coach had taken over for review in August, but D sent in the actual complete application with formal transcripts, recommendations, etc was in september, and the LL came out (from Admissions) shortly after October 1st. Done. Hope that helps,</p>