Expert: Bruce - 8/7/2007

Question
Hi, I am going to be a senior this fall and will be applying to about 9 schools (most of which are at the top of our country).  Anyways, I am a little confused about the whole deadline and sending things in.  Since most of the apps are to be sent online, I can send things like my personal information and essays without any problems.  But with teacher/counselor recommendations, transcripts, and SAT/ACT scores, they have to sent by mail (i think).

My question is basically this: can I send these things in separately as long as I send them before the deadline??

Answer
Hi Sam,

Colleges understand that various pieces of the application process come in separate from the student - the items you mention above. If you are applying to top end schools, those that get lots of applications, you may want to check with each one to find out if their application deadline refers to the student-generated part of the application, or to these other items, too.  

Do you know - does your school ask referers to send a letter to the guidance office, which then sends them out to colleges, or does your school tell them to send letters straight to the colleges? The former has some advantages in terms of efficiency.

I strongly encourage you to be in touch with your recommenders as soon as school begins (if you haven't already) with the reference info (and forms if these colleges have specific forms) and stamped, addressed envelopes (if they are to send letters directly to colleges).

Once you know how the colleges treat the deadline, be sure to let your recommenders know (e.g. Mr Smith, Princeton needs to rec letter by Dec 1) so they can plan accordingly.
I would say to be very specific. In my years as an admission director it was usually rec letters that delayed application processing.

Also, be sure that you keep track of who you've asked for recs, so you know who may be tardy in providing them and can go back and check up.

As far as test scores go, you can always go to the College Board and ACT Web sites and pay to have yor scores sent to the schools. My experience is that these orgs are efficient, so if you did list the colleges to receive your scores, its a safe bet that they rec'd them.

Hope this helps.

Bruce