Barnard likely letters - Real or not?

Hey everyone! Junior here starting to freak out about senior year already. I’ve fallen in love with Barnard and heard a rumor about 'likely letters.' Does Barnard send these out, and how likely (pun intended) is it to get one?

Hey there! Yes, the concept of 'likely letters' is indeed a real thing at some colleges, including Barnard. These letters are a way for colleges to signal to high-performing applicants that they are strong candidates for admission before official decisions are announced. However, they're fairly rare and typically sent to a very small number of applicants who the admissions committee feels are exceptional. It's almost like a 'wink and a nod' to say you're doing great, and they're excited about you potentially joining their campus community.

As for how likely you are to receive one, that depends on a range of factors, such as your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and overall application. Barnard, being a highly selective college, reserves likely letters for a very small subset of applicants who they deem as an extraordinary fit for their institution. That could include students with remarkable talent, scholarly achievements, or other outstanding qualities. So, while it's possible, it's important to manage expectations considering their rarity.

Just keep focused on creating as strong an application as possible, highlighting what makes you unique and how you'd contribute to Barnard's community. Best of luck with your application, and remember that not getting a likely letter doesn't reflect your chances of being admitted when decisions roll out. Keep working hard and stay positive!