What are likely letters and which schools send them?

I have seen people mention 'likely letters' in various forums, and I'm a bit confused about what they are and which schools send them. Could someone give me a brief explanation and possibly a list of schools that send likely letters? Thanks in advance!

Likely letters are early notifications sent by some colleges to strongly indicate that the applicant is highly likely to be admitted once formal admissions decisions are released. These letters are sent prior to the official admissions decision notification dates, usually in the months of February and March. Unlike formal acceptance letters, likely letters tend to be less definitive, but are a positive indication of the outcome of your application.

Not all colleges send likely letters, and those that do typically send them to a small and select group of applicants with exceptional applications. The intention behind likely letters is to show strong interest in the student and make them feel more confident about their chances of being accepted. This can result in the student developing a positive relationship with the school and potentially increasing the school's "yield," which is the percentage of admitted students who choose to enroll.

In general, likely letters are sent by highly selective schools, which know they might be competing for a particular student with other excellent colleges. As described above, the likely letter is an attempt to win the student's affections and inspire them to choose that school over any other they were accepted to. Here's a non-exhaustive list of some schools known to send likely letters:

1. Yale University

2. Harvard University

3. Princeton University

4. Columbia University

5. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

6. Brown University

7. Dartmouth College

8. Cornell University

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

10. Stanford University

11. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

12. University of Southern California (USC)

13. University of Chicago

Keep in mind that receiving a likely letter is not guaranteed, even if the applicant is well-qualified and ultimately ends up being accepted. Some schools may prioritize certain demographics, like underrepresented minorities, first-generation college students, and recruited athletes, while sending likely letters.

Additionally, admission practices may change from year to year, so there's always a chance that a school might decide not to send likely letters in a particular application cycle. So, don't worry if you don't receive one—in reality, most accepted students don't. Just stay confident in all the hard work you put into your applications, and wait for actual decision day!