Yes, and this definitely happens with jobs. Any company wants to hold onto a potential talent pool in a hot market, but at the same time, they are limited in the number of actual openings. So no matter how you feel about the communication, it’s not an offer unless you have an offer letter in hand. Even if your “network” extends into the company, your friends usually don’t have the final say.
Now I’m suddenly having flashbacks to “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” Remember how Rory is hounded for months by an internet media company and when she finally bites out of desperation, she’s shocked to discover it’s an interview, not a coronation? No? Well, it’s a lot of time to invest and maybe not everyone’s cup of tea, but Gilmore Girls has many object lessons in what not to do in school, career, and in life.