<p>I know this is probably a stupid question but...what is it? =S</p>
<p>It's a letter sent early to certain applicants that says "you're probably going to get in, but we won't officially say until we release decisions in March."</p>
<p>Ohh..thanks. =) what are the chances of getting in after recieving that letter? 50%? 75%?</p>
<p>and when do you usually get that letter? do all schools have it...?</p>
<p>I think your chances of getting in after it are high, though I've come across one person who (supposedly) got one but was rejected (I doubt the veracity of this because the person contradicted himself in a few posts). The letter, I believe, comes in February or so. Not all schools do it.</p>
<p>For most schools, a likely letter is same as an admission letter except they can't official announce it. Everyone I know of that got a "likely" got a fat envelop in April. Unless your school play by some strange rule, or some other special circumstance that caused them to reconsider, you are in.</p>
<p>I didn't get any likely letters, but I got a likely phonecall from one of the senior admissions officers from UPenn. He couldn't explicitly say that I was accepted, but he was able to get that across in so many words. </p>
<p>Also, I got into all the schools that were requesting financial information from me.</p>
<p>Thankss. I also heard that its usually athletes and URMs who get it...? </p>
<p>Oh, and around what percentage of people who get accepted recieve it?</p>
<p>I'm guessing a very small percentage -- probably the "clear admits" (10%, maybe? Not sure).</p>
<p>i haven't personally seen someone who was rejected after getting a likely letter. heard stories but none were verified.</p>
<p>"Likely" phone call from Ivy adcom, wow!</p>
<p>I wonder how rare is that.</p>