On February 1, high school senior Trustin Henderson received a phone call from New Haven, Connecticut. Before he picked up, he expected to be notified about missing application materials from Yale University—the school was in that city, after all—but the message proved to be something much more welcome. It was an admission representative from Yale, and they were calling to inform Trustin that he would likely be admitted to the prestigious school. Trustin, a prospective engineering student from Mississippi, said his initial reaction was disbelief. “I stuttered and did not produce coherent sentences for about a minute before they asked if they should call back later,” Trustin said. “I somehow managed to affirm that sentiment, and about half an hour later I had composed myself enough to produce intelligible sentences and to call back.”
What is a "likely letter?"
For Trustin, it was the first time he’d even heard the term “likely letter” before. This letter—or call or e-mail—is used by colleges to notify applicants of “likely” admission before official decisions are delivered. “I'm under the impression that it isn't something schools advertise about very often,” he said. “I was told by the admissions office that a likely letter is given to applicants that strongly embody the qualities, or perhaps just a few specific qualities, of the type of student they want to have. Therefore, they want to notify the student very early in the admissions process that, assuming the student maintains the same academic performance, admission will be granted.” Another senior, Pam, was also shocked by her phone call from Yale. “I didn’t even know likely letters [or] calls were a thing that colleges did,” she said.
Who typically receives likely letters?
Not many students know about likely letters, and not many are recipients either. Of the University of Pennyslvania’s 37,267 applicants in 2015, only 3,697 were admitted, and only 400 received a likely letter, according to The Daily Pennsylvanian. It was a nice surprise for both Trustin and Pam—and others who have received likely letters from Columbia University in the past few weeks—but on the whole, it’s a mostly understated phenomenon. “As long as I can remember, I have worked toward this one goal,” Trustin said. “Now, months earlier than I expected, I completed that goal. Therefore, I've had to begin to think very deeply and specifically about the kind of education I want to pursue, although I know it will most likely be in a STEM field. This was a major life goal, and I haven't quite figured out what my next major goal is.”
Pam, who intends to major in a similar field as Trustin, was a member of the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science (MITES) program, a six-week residential course taught on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, during the summer of 2016. She thinks this, as well as her other accomplishments, helped her stand out among other applicants. “In [Yale’s] case, I got a likely letter because I was a very strong STEM applicant,” Pam said. “The director of admissions specifically mentioned this and invited me to YES [Yale Engineering and Science] weekend for engineering and science admitted students.”
Trustin, also a member of MITES, said his college interview went extremely well, and he made sure to write his essays about topics he was passionate about—regardless of whether they were perhaps “conventional” topics. “I wrote about how much I love listening to Phil Ochs's music,” he said. “But I urge you, do not try to figure out what an admissions officer may want to hear. It is vital that you be your truest self, because many times, that is the most interesting manifestation of your being.”
What do you do after receiving a likely letter?
A likely letter functions similarly to an acceptance during the Early Decision or Early Action period of college applications in the fall, Trustin said. An “acceptance” through a likely letter, though without the formality of an official acceptance letter, can function as a stress-reliever after the pressure of submitting college applications. But don't stop working toward your goals now! Just because it's likely doesn't mean it's definite. Trustin certainly knew that much. While knowing about his application status at Yale has helped with some of his nerves, it’s also been beneficial to his work ethic, Trustin says. “For about the first week after I received the call, I was entirely bewildered,” he said. “Even now, it feels surreal. However, there is now a much stronger feeling of acute determination to absolutely and fully utilize this opportunity I've been given.”
How do likely letters benefit the school?
The likely letter often functions as a marketing tool and a way for Ivy Leagues and similar institutions to compete with one another for what they believe are the “best” applicants—however subjectively that “best” may be defined. “Colleges do this so that they can make sure top students know that the colleges really want them to come,” Pam said. “It’s also a way to boost yield.” Even if it is just a recruiting tool, Trustin was still ecstatic to hear back from a college so soon—and admits the likely letter has made him consider Yale more highly. “If a college is seeking to woo a student, accepting that student within a month of application submission, providing the student with a paid trip to tour science and engineering facilities, and providing opportunities to meet world-renowned researchers, professors, and Nobel Laureates is certainly the way to do it,” he said.
Which schools participate in this practice?
Several prestigious colleges, including Ivy League schools like Harvard University and Dartmouth College, have reported sending likely letters in past years, many of them for top athletes. However, those who excel in certain disciplines for which a college actively recruits can potentially be awarded the letters as well. A complete list of colleges that offer these letters does not currently exist, and compiling one would be difficult, as data is often sparse or unreliable. If you’re wondering whether a particular institution offers likely letters, a Google search may suffice. However, Trustin cautions against regarding these letters too seriously or being disappointed if “the letter” doesn’t arrive.
“Don't worry about it. I am very against the concept of worrying,” he said. “Worrying will not change anything…only action will. And when the application is submitted, and there is nothing more to be done, the best possible thing to do is to continue to uphold your academic performance and to enjoy this fleeting and bright thing we call life. “Apply to scholarships, apply for summer programs, but don't worry about not receiving a likely letter. The likely letter I received was STEM-specific, so if a student didn't indicate a STEM major on their application, I doubt they were even considered. “But,” he reiterated, “if you did apply as a STEM major and didn't receive [a likely letter], don't fret.” Until admission decisions are released later in the spring, the vast majority of applicants to this type of college won’t know if they’ve been accepted—and that’s okay!
“The best advice I've received is to understand that a school does not define a person,” Trustin said. “The only person that should define yourself is you. Even if you don't get into your ‘dream school,’ live your life without abandon, to its fullest, while helping the world and humanity as much as possible. Don't let a few people's opinions take that away from you.”
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