<p>Most of the Poli. Sci. grad programs I've applied to had Dec. 15th deadlines. I submitted the online applications on time.</p>
<p>But one of my recommendation letter writers didn't send out his letter until over two weeks after the deadline (he was abroad and there were communication difficulties). </p>
<p>Now I'm worried that all those schools will either discount my application or, if they do still consider me, that the late letter will hurt my chances. Does anyone know whether this could be a big factor? </p>
<p>If this has ruined my chances, there are a bunch of schools with Jan. deadlines I can still meet -- how many I should add depends on how badly the late letter has impacted my chances at the Dec. 15th deadline programs. Any insights would be deeply appreciated!</p>
<p>There is a good chance that it will not matter. Take one week out because of the holidays and take another week for application processing to get started. Your application is unlikely to be processed or touched since it is incomplete, but once complete it will likely move into the pile for review.</p>
<p>Of course, there is no definite answer except from the school directly. I recommend you reach out to the admissions office or program directors and ask. I always recommend increased interaction and engagement as a strategy for increasing your chances of admission.</p>
<p>Definitely reach out to grad admissions; at worst they laugh in the heads (because they’ve seen this all before) and say “Dun worry 'bout et!” At worst they tell you they have hard deadlines for ALL application materials. </p>
<p>As the previous poster said though, it’s more than likely that that stuff has been sitting in the actual graduate admissions office and hasn’t even made it over to the grad program yet.</p>
<p>Most graduate admissions committees forgive late letters of recommendation because it’s the one part of the application that you have no control over. Many, many professors send out recommendation letters late or at the last minute - one of my strongest recommenders for the NSF fellowship forgot about the deadline and sent her letter in the Monday after the Thursday deadline. She <em>did</em> call the office and ask if she could send it, and they said it was fine - and I got the NSF.</p>
<p>Professors are a bit scatterbrained because they have so much on their minds; they often forget about deadlines. I wouldn’t worry about it too much since they already have it.</p>