Common App letter writers/recommenders: Additional applications

I’d like to send a second round of applications. This question is regarding letters written by the first round recommenders.

  • If a recommender has already submitted a letter to the Common App (first round of applications), and I apply to more universities, will the recommender have to submit letters again?
  • Will the recommender receive an automatically generated email to resubmit another batch of letters, even if they don’t have to resubmit one? If so, I’d like to warn them because some of my letter writers are not teachers (coach,work) and will not have experience with this.

In the Common App, the recommender has an option whether they want their letter to be used for all of your applications or if they want to submit a new letter for subsequent applications. Unless the recommender had a reason to personalize the letter for a particular school, they likely checked the box to use that letter for all your applications. When they check that box, they are informed that they will not be notified when you apply to other schools.

In short, if they submitted their letters through the common app, there is likely no need to warn them. But if you’re worried, you can give them a heads-up so that they keep an eye on their emails if they didn’t check that box.

As you add schools to your profile and file the application, you’ll see the letter there. It can be used for all 20 of your apps. Nothing to inform.

OP here. So I emailed CommonApp a while ago and finally got an answer. I am not sure the CS rep understood the question (same question I asked here), but here is the answer I got:

Thank you for contacting The Common Application for Transfer,

Yes, you will have to request you for the recommendation for each program you are applying as per their requirement, but the recommenders will have an option to reuse the same recommendation which they have submitted if the recommendation is under the same category.

Yes, the recommenders will receive an email each time you request for the recommendation.

Please let us know if you have any further questions

Regards,

The Common Application for Transfer.