Official Letter equals Official Acceptance?

[AdornoGray]

I received an email this morning from a POI at one of my top programs. In it he asked for my third recommender to submit his LOR through the official system (my recommender emailed it directly to the department administrator because of a miscommunication). I assume it was used in the application review in that manner.

 

In his email, the POI wrote:

 

I just wanted to assure you that you are still eligible for admission to our program. As a matter of fact, the admissions committee met last week, and we were very impressed with your application materials.

 

As soon as we receive the outstanding materials from you (a third recommendation letter), we will be able to submit your file so that it goes through the official channels of consideration. But I just wanted to reach out to you to let you know that you are still very much eligible for the program, and we just have to get this document processed before we can give you an official response.

 

 

Later in the email the POI offers his personal help with getting the letter in or other options for a letter. 

 

Does this mean that I'm likely accepted or that they are just trying to follow protocol with applications so they can notify me that I'm not a fit? 

 

Anyone else experience something like this?

[MathCat]

"Official response" does not mean an acceptance. It could be an official rejection, too. However, based on the rest of the email, it sounds like they are very interested in your application, so you probably stand a good chance!

[TakeruK]

In my opinion, all it can really mean is that you are not already rejected, because they want to see that final letter. It sounds like you have a good chance though (i.e. probably made it through some initial cuts) and they will need the last letter to help them make the final decision.

 

Based on how much they emphasized that you are still eligible, it is possible that you are basically accepted and they just need the final letter so that they can justify their decision. However, it can also mean that they want to reassure you that having this letter come in "late" due to the miscommunication will have no negative effect at all and that you shouldn't worry.

 

I would not assume it means acceptance yet. But it's definitely not bad news (yet)