<p>OP: CC denizens are inordinately fixated on “likely letters”. The fact is that very few admittees get them. The fact is also that you’ll likely be admitted by several schools that don’t send them and perhaps a goodly few that do send them.</p>
<p>Frankly don’t worry about something that doesn’t affect you. If you happen to be one of those diamonds whom schools are scrambling for: bingo. Congrats for you. If you happen to be human like the rest of us, then don’t worry.</p>
<p>But since you ask: the Ivies and some others use them since they collectively agree not to notify RD decisions until April. They want to start selling themselves to the few stellar applicants who may be facing heavy recruiting and scholarships from competing colleges. They want to dissuade these applicants from accepting another offer because they cannot yet officially deliver theirs. Basically, they are marketing tools. Make sense?</p>