<p>Just as the title: What are likely letters and when are they usually sent out from top colleges?</p>
<p>A likely letter informs a student that his/her application has been reviewed and the probability of acceptance is very high. The Admissions Office sends out letters each year to a small number of candidates 30-60 days prior to the expected release date of real acceptance letters, i.e. in Feb/March for colleges that issue acceptance letters on March 31 or April 1.</p>
<p>I have never seen any data on the net regarding the percentage of likely letters that lead to actual acceptance or rejection.</p>
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<p>...here is some interesting reading on the net...</p>
<p>...and there is a lot of 'likely letter' discussion elsewhere on CC...</p>
<p>...from another CC thread...</p>
<p>Dear *****, </p>
<p>I know that we have already thanked you, by email, for applying to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, but I want to take this opportunity to express my personal appreciation for the distinguished application you have submitted. </p>
<p>Over the last several weeks, as members of the Admissions Committee have learned more about you through your essays and other supporting materials, we have become more and more impressed by your strong record of personal and academic achievement. While the Committee will not make its final recommendations until late March, we believe that you will be a strong candidate for admission, we hope that you will continue to consider Carolina as you make your college plans. </p>
<p>We also hope to see you at one or more of the special events we will be hosting in April for students of exceptional promise. Details about these events will follow in early April. In the meantime, if we may help in any way, please do not hesitate to let us know. Carolina is rightfully regarded as an extraordinarily welcoming place--a scholarly community whose students and professors genuinely like and respect each other--and we will gladly do our part to give you the warm welcome you richly deserve. </p>
<p>Sincerely, </p>
<p>Jerome A. Lucido
Vice provost for Enrollment Management
Director of Admissions</p>