Delayed Letter of Recommendation Forum

[anonymous119]

So here's my dilemma: one of my recommenders JUST recently turned in his letter of recommendation (after me reminding him about it for almost 3 months) and I'm not sure what day it'll be by the time it's processed (anyone know how long it takes from CA?). Given the fact that I'm already "late" in the cycle, I was just wondering if I should re-consider applying to some of my reaches. I have a 165 with a 3.7 GPA. Will this significantly hurt my chances?
By the way, the reaches I'm referring to are UCLA, USC, and Washington U. Thanks!

[UF Gators]

Tell them to fax it it asap, don't wait for it to be mailed over there. I am having the same issue.

[HerseyChris]

I had one of my Recs fax it over last Wednesday and it's still not uploaded on LSAC even after calling them and emailing them. All they said was that 'it'll be uploaded when it's uploaded.'

[UF Gators]

I had one of my Recs fax it over last Wednesday and it's still not uploaded on LSAC even after calling them and emailing them. All they said was that 'it'll be uploaded when it's uploaded.'

Ahhh, don't tell me this! But it will probably still be quicker than waiting for the mailed copy to post to your account.

[anonymous119]

Anyone out there with more supportable information?

[lewis louis]

i had this issue in novemeber. It was faxed, and posted within the same day. Just fax it again.

[You Gotta Have Faith]

Unfortunately, this delay isn't unusual. In my experience, it took about two weeks for absolutely everything that I turned in to be processed (as an aside, one of those letters came from overseas). But I applied early enough that I don't think it was too big of a deal for me. But, give yourself 2-3 weeks to be safe.

With regards to the schools, I think you have a *reasonable* chance at WUSTL, mainly because they generally won't ever deny anyone until all apps are in, usually in mid-March. This gives them a chance to hold off and think about some of the latecomers. Although it is still to your advantage to apply earlier, the rolling admissions there are slightly more lenient.

I don't know enough about UCLA/USC to adequately address how a late application would affect your chances there. As with most schools, I imagine an earlier application would be better. But a later one hurts more at some than it does at others.

On an unrelated note, are you sure you feel comfortable with the letter of recommendation that this person sent? Unless they are really that far behind, or an unusual slacker, the people who think better of you and "go to bat for you" in referrals usually don't need to have their arm twisted in and out for 3 months before producing the letter that is supposed to help you. Or they were entirely oblivious to how pressing the time constraint was becoming. Just food for thought.

[Kobe_Teeth]

same boat... going to kill someone at lsac or an old professor...not sure who's more annoying...

[84Sunbird2000]

I asked both of my primary recommenders to fax their letters. I explained why in detail. Now, the letters still have not shown up, which prompted me to call the recommenders. The one I have managed to get ahold of cheerily mentioned that he did not have access to a fax machine at the moment and he dropped it off in the mail instead.

Arghh! I should have done this earlier, though. CMON MAIL AND LSAC. I NEED MY APPS OUT!!! (Cries)

[im_blue]

I asked both of my primary recommenders to fax their letters. I explained why in detail. Now, the letters still have not shown up, which prompted me to call the recommenders. The one I have managed to get ahold of cheerily mentioned that he did not have access to a fax machine at the moment and he dropped it off in the mail instead.

Arghh! I should have done this earlier, though. CMON MAIL AND LSAC. I NEED MY APPS OUT!!! (Cries)

Hunt him down for another signed copy and fax it yourself.

[84Sunbird2000]

I asked both of my primary recommenders to fax their letters. I explained why in detail. Now, the letters still have not shown up, which prompted me to call the recommenders. The one I have managed to get ahold of cheerily mentioned that he did not have access to a fax machine at the moment and he dropped it off in the mail instead.

Arghh! I should have done this earlier, though. CMON MAIL AND LSAC. I NEED MY APPS OUT!!! (Cries)

Hunt him down for another signed copy and fax it yourself.

If I was within several hundred miles of him, I would ...... .

[Kobe_Teeth]

I asked both of my primary recommenders to fax their letters. I explained why in detail. Now, the letters still have not shown up, which prompted me to call the recommenders. The one I have managed to get ahold of cheerily mentioned that he did not have access to a fax machine at the moment and he dropped it off in the mail instead.

Arghh! I should have done this earlier, though. CMON MAIL AND LSAC. I NEED MY APPS OUT!!! (Cries)

Hunt him down for another signed copy and fax it yourself.

If I was within several hundred miles of him, I would ...... .

+1

[haleydee]

Can you not apply to schools until all of the LORs are in and processed?

[fonzerelli]

This will make you feel better: http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/30 ... -30971.jpg

[anonymous119]

Can you not apply to schools until all of the LORs are in and processed?

Anyone have any information on this?

[im_blue]

Can you not apply to schools until all of the LORs are in and processed?

You can't apply to schools unless you have the minimum number of LORs required for each school.

[HerseyChris]

I asked both of my primary recommenders to fax their letters. I explained why in detail. Now, the letters still have not shown up, which prompted me to call the recommenders. The one I have managed to get ahold of cheerily mentioned that he did not have access to a fax machine at the moment and he dropped it off in the mail instead.

Arghh! I should have done this earlier, though. CMON MAIL AND LSAC. I NEED MY APPS OUT!!! (Cries)

Hunt him down for another signed copy and fax it yourself.

If I was within several hundred miles of him, I would ...... .

+1

+ another one, My academic LOR was mailed last Monday, my employer faxed it on Wednesday, I called and emailed Friday and they said it'll take 7-10 business days. My app (one of only two) is due this Friday. I know I should have had the LOR out earlier, but I told them in October and asked if they could finish by December and pestered them (as much as you can without being annoying). What a hassle.

[justme13]

I am having the same problem. Only one of my LOR has posted and LSAC seems to be closed today. I was advised to send my apps anyway and LSAC would simply send my additional letters as they are processed. Was this bad advice? Do you think it will hurt my chances? I applied to 13 schools already.

[HerseyChris]

I am having the same problem. Only one of my LOR has posted and LSAC seems to be closed today. I was advised to send my apps anyway and LSAC would simply send my additional letters as they are processed. Was this bad advice? Do you think it will hurt my chances? I applied to 13 schools already.

I'm guessing no. I'm required to have 2 LOR though so, that's my dilemma.

[Kobe_Teeth]

You can apply. Your apps. will even go complete and adcomms can begin reviewing you but you're still going to be admitted after other people who have the same numbers and their shit turned in.

What's weird is that some of the school's I have applied to have status checkers that claim they in fact require 0 LOR's when I know that LSAC specifically told me they asked for 2. And the thing is, if its 0, I think I'm going to be angrier than I am at having to aquire 2 LOR's (because I hate asking people for stuff).

I've been tearing my hair out waiting for these things and if its 0...I'm driving somewhere and hitting someone in the face (not really).

[84Sunbird2000]

--LinkRemoved--

The LOR requirements and suggestions are all straight from the schools. It's a pretty awesome reference - I haven't closed it off my tabs in 4 days.

[anonymous119]

So let me get this straight: you can still apply even though the required number of letters hasn't been met?

Also, if the letter is "supposed" to have arrived by tomorrow, will it show up on LSAC as being "processed"?

[anonymous119]

+ another one, My academic LOR was mailed last Monday, my employer faxed it on Wednesday, I called and emailed Friday and they said it'll take 7-10 business days. My app (one of only two) is due this Friday. I know I should have had the LOR out earlier, but I told them in October and asked if they could finish by December and pestered them (as much as you can without being annoying). What a hassle.[/quote]

Wait you mailed it last week and it's taking this long to process?
I'm so screwed...

[im_blue]

So let me get this straight: you can still apply even though the required number of letters hasn't been met?

Also, if the letter is "supposed" to have arrived by tomorrow, will it show up on LSAC as being "processed"?

You can apply (send in your application with personal info, resume, PS, etc) at any time, even without LORs, transcripts, and an LSAT score. You won't go complete without them, though.

[Kilpatrick]

so, if you apply but aren't complete - does that count as being in before the deadline?