Are there likely letters for Early Decision?

Hi everyone! I'm a high school junior, and I’ve been hearing about likely letters that some applicants receive in advance of regular decision notifications. I'm curious, do colleges also send likely letters for Early Decision applicants? If so, how common is it, and what does receiving one mean for an applicant?

Hey there! Great question. The concept of 'likely letters' is typically associated with Regular Decision applicants. These letters are sent by some universities to highly sought-after candidates as an early indication before official decisions to let them know that they are likely to be admitted.

As for Early Decision applicants, they generally do not receive likely letters because the decision timeline is already accelerated. Early Decision applicants usually receive their admissions decision—be it an acceptance, deferral, or rejection—by the stated notification date. Therefore, there isn't a need for colleges to send likely letters for Early Decision since the entire process is designed to give students an earlier response.

For more on 'likely letters,' check out this CollegeVine article on the topic: https://blog.collegevine.com/what-is-a-likely-letter-in-college-admissions

If you've applied Early Decision, keep an eye on your email and the admissions portal for the official decision. Best of luck with your application!