Okay. So, amidst the madness in this grueling waiting process, I may have also managed to over-analyze something that just came to my attention. I have recently become aware of the idea of "Likely Letters." Is this a possibility for a graduate program? Brown, my top-choice school, sent me an e-mail about two weeks or so ago, thanking me for applying and giving me information on when responses to offers of admission are to be received. It was sent by the Dean of Admissions, I think. Furthermore, it was addressed at the beginning to the personalization of my first name, specifically. I just am somewhat hesitant to believe out of the hundreds that have applied, each applicant received a personalized e-mail of this nature *(If so, then, this school is even more committed in its diligence than I gave it credit for!).
I am certainly not wanting to get my hopes up, by any means. I simply wanted some insight on these supposed "Likely Letters," and whether any other MFA applicants to Brown or other schools, in general, receive this sort of e-mail, weeks after submission, as part of the general reviewing process.
Thanks a ton!

Yes, I think Good news emails only come from the department, not the dean-- which doesn't make much sense.

the dean of the graduate school is not responsible in making decisions for who gets admitted to graduate programs.

He also will not at all be involved in the selection committee of an mfa so he won't know which students have been narrowed down, etc. He will, however, be used as the figure head to send out mass emails of confirmation, thanks, welcomes, etc.

but all the good news emails I know of come from the department, as do acceptances, and rejections.

I never received any and was admitted into several MFAs. I would say most admitted applicants never receive them.

I'm in at Vermont College! They are my first choice, but I'm still going to wait to hear back from my other schools before making a final decision.