<p>I'm submitting my application and all other documents through the Common App website, not including recommendations. One of my teachers is submitting her recommendation online, however, one was unable to because of a complication within the site. That teacher will now be sending in her application by mail. Does the recommendation need to be delivered by the application deadline or received by the application deadline? I was curious because her submission will now be delayed with the recent setback. Also, how do I mail in letters? Does it have to be in one of those big envelopes? What are the requirements when sending those in?</p>
<p>In reality, NEITHER. The schools give leeway for school docs, including rec letters. If something is missing or very late, they will contact the school.</p>
<p>How to mail it? Only Stanford asks for #9 “big” envelopes. No one else cares. The docs will be opened, scanned and shredded.</p>
<p>A business size envelope is fine; it doesn’t need to be a big manilla envelope. (EDIT: I didn’t know that about Stanford. Fascinating. How persnickety of them!)</p>
<p>Go to the admissions web site of each college or university that your teacher will be sending a letter to, and find the mailing address for the admissions office. Then write that address on the front of a business size envelope. For the return address, use your teacher’s name, and the address of the school where she teaches. Put a Forever stamp on each envelope, and give all the envelopes to your teacher.</p>
<p>Colleges and universities will be a little bit flexible about deadlines for teachers’ recommendations. They realize that when they arrive is a matter that’s not completely within the applicant’s control.</p>
<p>As long as your teacher can get the letters turned in close to the deadline, everything will be fine.</p>