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This has come up as an issue at least a dozen times in the last week or so, in PMs I've gotten. Since it seems like a major issue at this point I'll just post about it here.

If you haven't asked for LORs yet, it's too late.

Even if you can convince profs to write them for you and get them back in time, they'll be seriously rushed and your profs won't be enthused about the rush job. It won't make you seem responsible to them, either, and that could lead to a weaker recommendation. And LORs do matter, in that bad ones can kill you. So if you put it off until you got your grades back, or you're having a last-second change of heart, it's too late now.

Sorry, but you missed it.

I'd even go as far as to say if you have not applied yet, you might be too late. For some schools you are (deadline has passed), but for most you are getting to the stage where you will be at a disadvantage.

random5483 wrote:I'd even go as far as to say if you have not applied yet, you might be too late. For some schools you are (deadline has passed), but for most you are getting to the stage where you will be at a disadvantage.

Not sure I agree with this. Many schools release second semester grades between June 15 and June 20, and students typically need a couple days to finalize everything and submit after that, so schools will likely review all applications submitted right until the deadline. I'm pretty sure I submitted my application on June 20-21 last year...

random5483 wrote:I'd even go as far as to say if you have not applied yet, you might be too late. For some schools you are (deadline has passed), but for most you are getting to the stage where you will be at a disadvantage.

Unlike regular admissions, most schools don't do rolling admissions for the transfer process. As long as you get your application in by the deadline you're fine. I'd recommend submitting a few days early to have time to make sure it's received, but otherwise, no, that doesn't matter.

I didn't submit mine until like June 22 or 23 last year, because I waited for all my grades. I missed Stanford's deadline (oops), but otherwise I was obviously fine.

vanwinkle wrote:

random5483 wrote:I'd even go as far as to say if you have not applied yet, you might be too late. For some schools you are (deadline has passed), but for most you are getting to the stage where you will be at a disadvantage.

Unlike regular admissions, most schools don't do rolling admissions for the transfer process. As long as you get your application in by the deadline you're fine. I'd recommend submitting a few days early to have time to make sure it's received, but otherwise, no, that doesn't matter.

I didn't submit mine until like June 22 or 23 last year, because I waited for all my grades. I missed Stanford's deadline (oops), but otherwise I was obviously fine.

Thanks for the correction. I was under the impression we had to get the applications out fairly early.

The exception on timing is Berkeley. I was explicitly told by the person who makes the decisions that turning in your application early is a huge advantage.

CLS has a 7/15 deadline, iirc