Northwestern sent me a letter offering to cover my application fee if I apply. I never considered applying to Northwestern until I received the letter. What does it actually mean when they send these?
Unfortunately, most of the time the schools are sending these out to increase their number of applications so that when they continue to accept the same number of students it looks like they are more selective. Of course, it could be different in your case and there might be something they saw in your stats that made them offer you the waiver.
That you don’t have to pay to apply. It doesn’t mean you get any additional consideration in the application process. If you are interested, go for it. You may have to spend some time on the application, and you may have to send a transcript and scores, which may cost you something so it may not be a totally free application.
It is a marketing tool that schools use to try to get additional applications. It says nothing about your chances to get into the school. If you feel you have a shot and want to apply go ahead and do so.