Why do they only send likely letters to some of the accepted applicants? Does not getting a likely letter mean that I have a very low chance of being admitted? I don’t really understand why colleges send them at all.
Those one the ones that they are target. They are considered to be top, more desired applicants. They use it to improve their yield rate. This does not necessarily mean you have a low chance of being admitted. Cornell accepted 4,767 last year for Regular Decision, but only a few hundred got likely letters I believe.
The vast majority of accepted applicants will not get a likely letter. Don’t try to read the tea leaves.
Oh ok thanks guys!
I think fewer than 1% of admitted applicants get a likely letter, and most of the ones that do are URM or female engineers. I’m fairly certain that some of the colleges at Cornell don’t send out likely letters at all. So don’t worry/think about it at all.
@Ranza123 What if you are a female engineer and did not receive one?
@laurabae not all female engineers receive them! I honestly don’t know how they choose who to send them to. But just don’t get too caught up in it or you’ll freak yourself out!
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@Ranza123 Thank you so much for the encouragement! 
Thanks!