<p>Most top colleges send out likely letters in some form… Wash U included. A guy who lived in my dorm freshman year received a likely letter from Wash U about two months before official decisions were released. He did not receive any of the merit scholarships, as far as I know… perhaps he didn’t apply for them, though. </p>
<p>I remember one or two years ago, there was a thread on this board where a couple people received likely letters. I’ll see if I can find it. </p>
<p>Finally, aside from those types of likely letters, Wash U does notify finalists or semi-finalists for the merit scholarships at an earlier date. I think it’s usually a couple weeks before the regular admissions decisions come out.</p>