Apply now to Northwestern or wait for second letter of rec? Forum

[Back2California]

Northwestern is one of the only schools I'm interested in that doesn't require two letters.

At this point, I have all my application materials ready with the exception of my second LOR. I know it's coming, but I don't expect it until the end of the month.

Should I just apply now with my first letter? Will it look really bad that I just have one?

I know it's probably rash, but I already feel so behind schedule in this whole process. I don't want to get dinged because i was too impatient to wait a few more weeks, but on the other hand I think it will feel really good to have at least one app completely finished.

[cavalier1138]

You're kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either the adcomms are going to view your lack of a second letter negatively, or they're going to view your late app negatively.

Honestly, if your application won't actually be complete for the majority of schools until February, you should wait to apply next cycle. You're applying late enough now that you're leaving a lot of money (and probably a few acceptances) on the table.

[Back2California]

You're kind of damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either the adcomms are going to view your lack of a second letter negatively, or they're going to view your late app negatively.

Honestly, if your application won't actually be complete for the majority of schools until February, you should wait to apply next cycle. You're applying late enough now that you're leaving a lot of money (and probably a few acceptances) on the table.

Thats what I was afraid of

I guess I just need to figure out which will look worse and go from there.

[addie1412]

Tbh they probably won't start reviewing your app any time soon even if you submit now. I'd say submit, queue up, and then hopefully the LOR will be in before they actually start reading your application. If only one LOR is required, it'll be considered complete with one LOR, and at least you can go through some of the processing while waiting for the second

[Shakawkaw]

Tbh they probably won't start reviewing your app any time soon even if you submit now. I'd say submit, queue up, and then hopefully the LOR will be in before they actually start reading your application. If only one LOR is required, it'll be considered complete with one LOR, and at least you can go through some of the processing while waiting for the second

+1