Downloadable forms/applying online.

Applying to College
1

If you’re applying online, is it absolutely necessary to physically mail your letters of recommendation/school report, etc. or could you just download the pdf forms, fill them out, scan them and send them electronically?

The reason I ask is because I’m an international applicant and sending various documents to the U.S. might cost quite a sum, especially considering I’m going to apply to 7-10 colleges. Plus there’s the possibility of them not reaching the particular college by the deadline, even if I send all the documents in advance, the post office has been known to be rather unpredictable.

Another problem would be that I want to include more than the standard amount of recommendation letters, but the online application is only limited to 2, what’s the solution? Should I e-mail each individual admissions office and ask?

2

<p>Under almost all circumstances transcripts and school reports and stuff like that must be sent on actual paper that is signed/stamped officially, like how SAT scores have to be reported by the collegeboard. In your case, since that would be so expensive, I would ask the admissions office what they want you to do.</p>

<p>To send additional reccomendations, if they allow them, you're probablt going to have to mail them.</p>

3

<p>Supplemental forms should reach admission officers in time and by mail, I'm sure that it must be that way. To avoid delay through international air mail, you can send in advance, say, like a month before the deadline. Ask your teacher as soon as possible so you can get it and send early.
I think send one more recommendation will be good, but some more will be a disaster. They can wonder why you need so many people to push you up while you can always prove yourself by the essays and standardized tests as well as extracurricular activities.</p>

4

<p>I'd contact admissions, but I can say scans probably won't look too good. Try asking in the international students forum, maybe?</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
Under almost all circumstances transcripts and school reports and stuff like that must be sent on actual paper that is signed/stamped officially, like how SAT scores have to be reported by the collegeboard. In your case, since that would be so expensive, I would ask the admissions office what they want you to do.</p>

<p>To send additional reccomendations, if they allow them, you're probablt going to have to mail them.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Looks like I'm going to mail them, but I'll probably have to ask admissions for a fee waiver to cover the costs.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Supplemental forms should reach admission officers in time and by mail, I'm sure that it must be that way. To avoid delay through international air mail, you can send in advance, say, like a month before the deadline. Ask your teacher as soon as possible so you can get it and send early.
I think send one more recommendation will be good, but some more will be a disaster. They can wonder why you need so many people to push you up while you can always prove yourself by the essays and standardized tests as well as extracurricular activities.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Here's the thing - I already have my teacher recommendation letters, since I've been studying at an American university for a few semesters (to be admitted you need letters/TOEFL), but I also want to get some recommendation letters from my current professors and the university rector to show that I'm ready for college regardless of my young age. I have great relationships with everyone, so the letters will all be exceptional, but it will be somewhat of a hassle if I apply to 6-7 colleges, most of which require to fill out pre-made forms instead of plain letters, then mailing them, and so on.</p>

<p>I don't know what to do. Should I just ignore the fact that I ever went to another university when applying to avoid extra complications? It's wasn't my first choice, but it's the only American university in southeast Asia, so it's not like I had one (I was 15). </p>

<p>I don't want to apply as a transfer, since colleges in the US don't give financial aid to international transfer students and, as you may realize, I cannot possibly pay the full costs for a good university.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I'd contact admissions, but I can say scans probably won't look too good.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>But they'll be signed, stamped and everything. I'm not that desperate and simply don't have the time to forge letters of recommendation, heh.</p>

6

<p>You might be able to fax them. That has worked for me in the past.</p>

7

<p>Most colleges won't do waivers for international applicants. Which colleges are you looking at?</p>

<p>The only colleges that I know for sure do them are:</p>

<p>Alma College — freshman admissions only
Bates College
Calvin College — Canadians applying before certain dates
Earlham College — must show payment difficulties due to currency restrictions
Georgetown College — before certain dates
Hendrix College — before certain dates
Manchester College
Moravian College — must apply on-line
St. Olaf College
Trinity College (CT)
Vassar College — must request waiver by e-mail</p>

<p>Definitely try, though. Contacting admissions can never hurt, plus it shows interest.</p>