<p>I mailed my D's ED app to Brown 2 weeks ago by regular mail (all the forms together in one package). She hasn't received any acknowledgement, so I called the admissions office. They said that there was no way to check whether the package had been received and that she should wait for a card acknowledging receipt. My concern is that the acknowledgement won't come before the Nov. 1 deadline. What to do, other than hope for the best?</p>
<p>The only other suggestion is to get used to it. </p>
<p>Sadly, this uncertainty regarding college apps is part of the process. The only consolation, however, is that schools usually contact you if part of the application is missing -- or at least that was the case for my D's applications (her guidance counselor and one of the teachers were both over a month late in sending in their recommendations to her schools) .</p>
<p>FYI and a heads up for the future: I would have paid the extra 40 cents to mail the application "delivery confirmation requested" from USPS--that way you can track the package on their website and confirm that it was received. (We've even mailed an application priority 2 day with delivery confirmation.) Hopefully, you've made photocopies of everything that was in the envelope?</p>
<p>Again, not really useful now for the OP, but for other readers, this is one of the main advantages of online apps; usually you trigger automatic emails that confirm that it was received.</p>
<p>Totally agree with garland. DS did freshman apps in 2005 and then transfer apps in 2006. Between those two times, the application landscape changed. So many schools now strongly prefer online; and the information that lets you track your application online is so much more readily available. You may get an email confirmation and/or you will get some form of confirmation ID #, which confirms the receipt and allows you to track the status of your app over time.</p>
<p>extraordinarymac, I would wait until closer to the deadline and try again - (1)you might get a different person, (2) they may have processed more apps by then. It takes these schools quite a while to process apps - they get tons; and until the mailed apps have been processed and computerized in some way, they don't really have a method of checking (imagine rooms full of large manila envelopes).</p>
<p>As an alternative, if this school has online apps, I would check the site. Unfortunately, many schools specify that if you start an app online you should finish it online and not combine hard cc apps with online apps. But if this school doesn't, it's possible that your D can begin an app online. Once they have an open file by the deadline, they will usually work with you for any missing items.</p>
<p>If you call again, you could ask whether she could submit her full app online "just in case." It could mean duplication, but it might make you feel safer. Or, faced with that question, the admissions office might just check for you whether her package is in hand.</p>
<p>Don't sweat it extraordinarie-my S went ED to Brown last year and I remember them taking some time to establish an account and send us something saying they received it. It apparently goes through several different offices/depts. before it is considered "received". If for some reason it is late, I would have a GC call and explain it all went out before the postmark deadline. I am sure it is all fine.</p>
<p>Another CC suggestion that worked well for us ...Enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard (with the college's name in the return address spot of the postcard) with each application, letter of reference, Profile supplement if required, etc.</p>
<p>This was especially helpful with the teacher recs as we knew that they were mailed and received in a timely fashion.</p>
<p>I have empathy for your anxiety. That's why I always sent S's apps in a way that required a signature.</p>
<p>Hopefully, this will be the only application that you have to send! Best of luck with your D's ED!</p>
<p>U.S. Postal Service, for a very small charge, something like an extra 50 cents on a typical large envelope -one can use an electronic Delivery Confirmation Receipt - when the envelope is delivered the postal employee scans it into the system</p>
<p>Then the sender, being given the initial receipt (after waiting a few days from mailing - then checks the web site @ usps.com and then enters the 20 digit confirmation number -which will then indicate when and where and exactly at what time the envelope was received - in which case one then prints up a copy of this information as listed</p>
<p>The benefit is the college doesn't have to sign anything: its all done via the postal scanning system and the internet web site -with the sender confirming actual receipt</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback. I should have requested delivery confirmation, but I used the automated system at our local USPS. I do have copies of the entire app, and will know better for the future. It actually occurred to me that I will get confirmation from my bank when the application fee check is cashed. (btw, D didn't use online because she is submitting a CD as well). </p>
<p>Again, thanks everybody.</p>
<p>we did online AND d sent extra stuff in mail....</p>
<p>My experience (or recollection) is that the checks all cleared before we received official notification of receipt of applications.</p>
<p>Since it has been two weeks, check with your bank now. The check would have gone through by now, I would guess; colleges seem to be very quick about that! Who knows -- maybe they wait to see if the checks will clear before they acknowledge things :) My bank has an automated telephone service where I can input a specific check and see if it has cleared. If you don't have this, you can just call. Seems that a couple minutes of work should be able to ease your worry.</p>