<p>I'm applying to a school EA with a deadline of Nov. 1st. I know this is the date by which I must submit my common app, but is this the same date by which the school must receive the teacher recommendations? Also, is one month before the deadline (i.e. asking on the 30th of September) too short a notice for recs?</p>
<p>Yeah, the deadline is the date by which your file should be complete -- application, test scores, transcripts, letters of rec., etc. If there's something other than your application itself that is just delayed by a few days in the mail, most schools will still accept it when it comes in. Some will even let you know if something is missing. But definitely be diligent about getting everything in ahead of the deadline. You should ask for those letters ASAP. A month may not be too short a time, depending on the people you plan to ask, but you certainly shouldn't put off asking as soon as you possibly can. Less than a month's notice can be difficult for some teachers, especially ones that are asked to write a lot of letters and who have other EA and ED students with deadlines who have gotten their requests in earlier than you. So it's definitely not too late, but do it next time you're at school if you can. Also get those score reports sent and transcripts, get the your counselor whatever they need for your Secondary School Report. Also, if you're applying for financial aid, the school will want some information to determine that. Check the school's admissions website, and also the site for the finacial aid office. Sometimes the FA deadlines are a little different than the admissions deadlines.</p>