As the 10,636 students in the regular admissions pool wait anxiously for their decision letters this week, nearly 500 of them won't be surprised by the news.
Each year the College sends out three waves of letters to exceptional students who are "absolutely clear- cut" acceptances, according to Dean of Admissions Karl Furstenberg. These "likely letters" inform the students that they stand a good chance of being accepted when official letters are sent in April.
The three mailings, which run from early February to early March, represent the ongoing process in McNutt Hall.
"We review applications totally at random," Furstenberg said. "So as candidates for likely letters emerge, we send them their letter. The three waves are not organized starting with the best."
"Throughout the review process, when students emerge as outstanding, and we can be sure that they are a candidate who we would definitely accept, then there is no point keeping it a big secret," Furstenberg said.
Because the Ivy League is not allowed to mail decision letters until a mutual mailing date in early April, the likely letters provide the College with an opportunity to inform the top echelon of students that they are wanted at Dartmouth. However, Furstenberg pointed out that each year many remarkable applicants are not sent likely letters.
Dartmouth is not the only school issuing such premature letters. "Most of the other selective colleges send such letters in various forms and volumes," Furstenberg said..
