<p>As stated above, I was just wondering if some schools, like Harvard, who say that they review apps in order of submission, would review your app if the teacher recs have not come in yet. </p>
<p>For instance, if I sent in my app (w/ essays, etc) in October and my teachers didn't send in their recs until mid-December, would they still assess my file since they [Harvard] begin reading apps on Dec 1? Or am I supposed to tell my teachers to get the rec done on a certain date before I submit my app? </p>
<p>Also, does anyone know when other schools (Ivies) begin looking at applications? Is it better to be in the first round they look at (to set the bar high) or send stuff in later so they don't have as much time to review your "flaws"?</p>
<p>Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm really new at this :P -- Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>If they say they look at applications in the order in which they are received, then I would believe them. The deadlines are mostly for students, so that you can be certain to get everything in on time. Teachers have a bit of leeway (I’m a teacher), because schools know that they have other things to do. They give the adults in the process more time. If they need the info from the adults, they will contact you and/or your guidance department to let you know what is missing. There really should not be anything missing on your end, at that point.</p>
<p>Do they view student submitted app in order of submission, or do they view completed file in order of submission? Many schools say they will not start reviewing apps until the applicant’s file is complete. It makes sense, because if they review your app, then get one teacher rec two weeks after, then another teacher rec a week after, then the counselor report 2 weeks after, it sounds like it could be quite a hassle. You should call or email the admission office, as each school’s policy varies.
Universities usually won’t contact the adults if you’re missing something. They’ll either email you, or it’ll show in your account.<br>
Many schools don’t have a designated start time - it depends on the number of application they get that year and their deadline. They usually first sort and file everything, then start reviewing. How long that may take can vary slightly year to year. It doesn’t matter when they start reviewing anyway - just get everything in before their set deadline.<br>
Unless you’re doing EA/ED, or the university has rolling admission, when you send in your stuff technically should not affect your chances. However, earlier is always better. No, they will not start overlooking your “flaws”, as they won’t be running out of time. Each application gets the same amount of time - the adcom have been doing this for years, they know how they should organize their time. Plus, for any competitive school, there are plenty of excellent applicants, more than they can admit, there’s no need for them to “stoop” because it’s close to the end. There are waitlists anyway, so even if they didn’t have enough people to fill the spaces, they can always admit off of waitlists.</p>