<p>I've read multiple times that you should supply the teacher whom you are asking with a big envelope so the rec does not get folded.</p>
<p>IS this true? Would having a folded rec really be killer?</p>
<p>Today was the first I heard of it, and there is another thread on the forum that was just started. I just checked my son's schools. Stanford is the only school that specifies. I couldnt find anything from Caltech, MIT, Princeton, U of Chicago, Harvey Mudd or WashU. </p>
<p>I just cannot imagine...</p>
<p>OMG seriously? Wow. If a school was that anal about it, I wouldn't apply there. </p>
<p>If it doesn't require it (which again, ridiculous), then seriously don't worry about it.</p>
<p>I would guess it has to do with:</p>
<p>1.) Someone in the past folding or compressing their recommendation letters in some ridiculous way, or more likely...</p>
<p>2.) It is easier to insert your recommendation materials into your file folder, of which they have thousands, and even more likely...</p>
<p>3.) Big Envelope = much harder to lose. </p>
<p>I remember sending my materials in an 9 x 12 inch manila envelope. You just put the required postage on the corner just like any other envelope, fill out the return address and recipient address and voila.</p>
<p>IT probably has more to do with if your school scans the file, converts to PDF and sends them out electronically to the admissions committee, more cost effective vs. making paper copies and distributing them to mailboxes,(or having a repository where they keep old files vs. using up filing cabinet space etc. </p>
<p>Flat sheets of paper makes this process easier since they are feed though a document handler vs. having a person to unfold the paper and try to flatten the creases in order to prevent them from jamming the scanner.</p>
<p>Everyone, don't forget that you need MORE POSTAGE on a large envelope than on an equivalent-weight regular business size envelope!</p>
<p>$.41 for regular envelope (first oz.) versus $.80 for large envelope (first oz.)</p>
<p>holy smokes! I was about to send them in a small envelope ..folded.</p>
<p>Unless a college specifies (like Stanford), it's OK to send them in business-sized envelopes. That's what the kids at my d's high school are advised to do, and the school has great results with Ivies and other top schools.</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn't fold it into an origami shape, but a standard half or tri fold should be fine.</p>
<p>I agree with Chevda. Unless a school specifically states that they want the recommendation letters sent flat in a large envelope, I would just fold them neatly and put them in a regular size business envelope.</p>
<p>Good point sybbie. I neglected the possibility that they do scan these documents. Thats a lot of PDF files.</p>
<p>Is it really $.80 for a large envelope? That means 3 stamps! For one tiny piece of paper? I've never put more than 2 on large envelopes, and they've always gone through...</p>
<p>Yes, it is $.80 for a large envelope (one ounce or less in weight). If you have only $.41 stamps, you'll need to put two on (not three).</p>
<p>And higher rates for large envelopes went into effect at the time of the last rate change just a few months ago (in May?). It now costs $.39 more to mail a large envelope than the equivalent weight standard business envelope.</p>
<p>Does anyone have more info on this? I think it's pretty stupid that they'd recommend this.</p>
<p>I went to the stanford site. It took a bit of searching, but it is there. They also want you to use thier labels. </p>
<p>This is Stanfords first year on the common app. I suspect it was more obvious when you did everything on their site. I also am guessing a lot of people are going to mess up, but it will not affect their app. </p>
<p>I am too busy being greatful that Stanford moved their app deadline to January 1 (from Dec 15) and went to the common app, to be too ticked off with them about this silliness. </p>
<p>OTOH, at least one of the recomenders is going to need the package mailed to them. We are going to have to send it in a 10x13 envelope (unless we can fold the 9x12 envelope? probably not!!)</p>
<p>oh cry me a river, a single fold on the paper will not cause the document to be scanned, boo hoo...</p>
<p>Haha this is ridiculous. ARE there really any colleges that specify not to fold recs?</p>
<p>^ didnt they say Stanford? Stanford is anal about a lot of things, but comon, they're stanford. It's just like the fact that Harvard supplies collegeboard.com's "Ranking of Admission Factors" with bs saying "EVERYTHING is just 'considered'" - they're harvard after all, they have a right to be snobby and anal!</p>