What’s the deal with MIT Likely Letters?

Hi everyone, I've been seeing some posts about people getting 'likely letters' from colleges, and I'm a bit confused about what they are. Does MIT send out likely letters, and if so, what does it signify? Also, how does one get one, and around when should you expect to receive it if you’re a competitive applicant?

Hello there! I'm glad you're reaching out for information on likely letters. In the world of college admissions, a 'likely letter' is essentially a message sent by a college or university to a candidate indicating a high probability of acceptance before the official decision release date.

It's intended to signal to highly desired applicants that the institution is very interested in their enrollment. It’s not an official acceptance letter, but it’s as close as it can be. However, it's important to note that not all schools send out likely letters, and their practices can vary greatly.

Regarding MIT, they do not typically send out what are formally known as 'likely letters.' Instead, they may send out communications to engage potential students through their recruitment efforts, but these do not serve the same purpose as a likely letter. If you hear that someone received a 'likely letter' from MIT, it may be an informal term they're using to describe an encouraging communication and not an official indication of likely admission.

As for being a competitive applicant, it's crucial to focus on building a profile that aligns with MIT's rigorous standards, including excellence in academics, a strong set of extracurricular activities (especially those related to your intended field of study), and personal characteristics that would contribute uniquely to their campus. It is less about expecting a 'likely letter' and more about ensuring your application is as robust as possible to stand out within the incredibly competitive applicant pool.