Still waiting on third (but likely strongest) LoR. Should I just submit? Forum

[nicknar]

So two of my letters are in, and I know they're both very strong, but I'm pretty sure the third one I'm waiting on will be the strongest. However I'm getting antsy about the fact that it's already December and I'm just sitting on all but finished applications waiting to be sent out. I'm also unclear on what schools do with applications that have the minimum required letters but still have one missing. Should I just start sending them out?

I'm particularly getting frustrated because the professor in question is extremely busy and currently traveling a lot on a lecture tour, so I have no idea when the letter will come in at this point. I sent him an email a couple days ago checking in but he typically takes several days to a week to respond to emails, and he gets so many that sometimes they just get buried.

Freaking out.

[lymenheimer]

So two of my letters are in, and I know they're both very strong, but I'm pretty sure the third one I'm waiting on will be the strongest. However I'm getting antsy about the fact that it's already December and I'm just sitting on all but finished applications waiting to be sent out. I'm also unclear on what schools do with applications that have the minimum required letters but still have one missing. Should I just start sending them out?

I'm particularly getting frustrated because the professor in question is extremely busy and currently traveling a lot on a lecture tour, so I have no idea when the letter will come in at this point. I sent him an email a couple days ago checking in but he typically takes several days to a week to respond to emails, and he gets so many that sometimes they just get buried.

Freaking out.

Just submit. There's little expectation that your letter of recommendation will help your application anyways. Spivey wrote a blog post about it.

[nicknar]

So two of my letters are in, and I know they're both very strong, but I'm pretty sure the third one I'm waiting on will be the strongest. However I'm getting antsy about the fact that it's already December and I'm just sitting on all but finished applications waiting to be sent out. I'm also unclear on what schools do with applications that have the minimum required letters but still have one missing. Should I just start sending them out?

I'm particularly getting frustrated because the professor in question is extremely busy and currently traveling a lot on a lecture tour, so I have no idea when the letter will come in at this point. I sent him an email a couple days ago checking in but he typically takes several days to a week to respond to emails, and he gets so many that sometimes they just get buried.

Freaking out.

Just submit. There's little expectation that your letter of recommendation will help your application anyways. Spivey wrote a blog post about it.

Yeah I saw that. How do schools process applications that have the minimum number of LoRs, but one assigned one is missing?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to just submit now, but still leave open the possibility of his letter coming in later--basically trying to get my spot in "line" in terms of applications being reviewed in the order they're received. Does it work that way or am I way off base?

[lymenheimer]

So two of my letters are in, and I know they're both very strong, but I'm pretty sure the third one I'm waiting on will be the strongest. However I'm getting antsy about the fact that it's already December and I'm just sitting on all but finished applications waiting to be sent out. I'm also unclear on what schools do with applications that have the minimum required letters but still have one missing. Should I just start sending them out?

I'm particularly getting frustrated because the professor in question is extremely busy and currently traveling a lot on a lecture tour, so I have no idea when the letter will come in at this point. I sent him an email a couple days ago checking in but he typically takes several days to a week to respond to emails, and he gets so many that sometimes they just get buried.

Freaking out.

Just submit. There's little expectation that your letter of recommendation will help your application anyways. Spivey wrote a blog post about it.

Yeah I saw that. How do schools process applications that have the minimum number of LoRs, but one assigned one is missing?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to just submit now, but still leave open the possibility of his letter coming in later--basically trying to get my spot in "line" in terms of applications being reviewed in the order they're received. Does it work that way or am I way off base?

I don't think it shows that a letter is pending to be sent, I think that is only for your benefit through LSAC, but I don't really know. You can send it in later though (just succeeded in this experiment). For instance, I applied to a school that didn't require any letters and forgot to assign them. 2 weeks later I realized it, assigned the letters, and they were sent the next day.

[OhBoyOhBortles]

seconded. Go ahead and submit. You can add the letter in when it comes.

[nicknar]

So two of my letters are in, and I know they're both very strong, but I'm pretty sure the third one I'm waiting on will be the strongest. However I'm getting antsy about the fact that it's already December and I'm just sitting on all but finished applications waiting to be sent out. I'm also unclear on what schools do with applications that have the minimum required letters but still have one missing. Should I just start sending them out?

I'm particularly getting frustrated because the professor in question is extremely busy and currently traveling a lot on a lecture tour, so I have no idea when the letter will come in at this point. I sent him an email a couple days ago checking in but he typically takes several days to a week to respond to emails, and he gets so many that sometimes they just get buried.

Freaking out.

Just submit. There's little expectation that your letter of recommendation will help your application anyways. Spivey wrote a blog post about it.

Yeah I saw that. How do schools process applications that have the minimum number of LoRs, but one assigned one is missing?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'd like to just submit now, but still leave open the possibility of his letter coming in later--basically trying to get my spot in "line" in terms of applications being reviewed in the order they're received. Does it work that way or am I way off base?

I don't think it shows that a letter is pending to be sent, I think that is only for your benefit through LSAC, but I don't really know. You can send it in later though (just succeeded in this experiment). For instance, I applied to a school that didn't require any letters and forgot to assign them. 2 weeks later I realized it, assigned the letters, and they were sent the next day.

Ok great! Then I guess It's time to submit. Thanks!

[nicknar]

seconded. Go ahead and submit. You can add the letter in when it comes.

Thanks! Oh, and should I have the letter assigned to schools now, or leave it unassigned until it comes in?

[OhBoyOhBortles]

seconded. Go ahead and submit. You can add the letter in when it comes.

Thanks! Oh, and should I have the letter assigned to schools now, or leave it unassigned until it comes in?

I wouldn't assign until it is ready to go

[sanibella]

seconded. Go ahead and submit. You can add the letter in when it comes.

Thanks! Oh, and should I have the letter assigned to schools now, or leave it unassigned until it comes in?

I wouldn't assign until it is ready to go

When it is ready to go, would you notify schools directly that you are submitting a new letter if you are already under review?

[OhBoyOhBortles]

seconded. Go ahead and submit. You can add the letter in when it comes.

Thanks! Oh, and should I have the letter assigned to schools now, or leave it unassigned until it comes in?

I wouldn't assign until it is ready to go

When it is ready to go, would you notify schools directly that you are submitting a new letter if you are already under review?

Yep, especially if they are YP heavy. You want to let them know that you're very interested.