We have begun reviewing applications. I don't know the exact number we will be able to admit this year.  robably less than 4, maybe only 1 or 2 (we have close to 50 applicants). Your application is interesting, I like the course work you've taken at xxx and Prof. xxx writes very highly of you. However, the applicant pool is very deep this year, so I can't be very encouraging at this point. You are above average and I suspect would be successful in the program, but we can't accept everyone who would likely do well. I don't mean to be discouraging, because we aren't finished ranking yet, but I don't want to promise you anything today either. I will know more in a couple of weeks when I know exactly how many we can accept and when we have finished reviewing the applications.