When will likely letters be sent for regular decision?

I'm really curious about likely letters and wondering when schools typically send them out for regular decision applicants. Are these common for certain schools, and should I keep an eye on my mailbox?

Sure, it's good to know what to expect in the application process. For the uninitiated, likely letters are early, informal notifications sent by colleges to especially strong applicants. They're sort of like a heads up or a signal that you're very likely to be accepted when official decisions come out.

For the majority of colleges that do send likely letters, they usually start sending them out in February or March, although some very early ones might come out in late January. It's important to note that these timelines can vary a bit depending on the school, and for colleges with rolling admissions, likely letters can go out much earlier, whenever a decision on an application has been made.

It's also worth noting that not all colleges send likely letters, and even at colleges that do, only a small fraction of accepted students will receive one. They're often used by highly competitive schools to woo top candidates—think recruited athletes, or students who really stood out in the applicant pool. Famous universities known for sending these letters are Ivy League colleges and a few other schools like Stanford and University of Chicago.

If you receive a likely letter, it should come to you via email or the university's application portal, although a few might arrive the old fashioned paper way. You definitely shouldn't worry if you don't get one. Most admitted students will not receive a likely letter.

So, while it wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on your mailbox (or your email inbox), keep in mind that likely letters aren't the norm and waiting for one could lead to unneeded stress. Rest assured that no news isn't bad news in this case!