<p>just a general question, can i send my recommendations in before i send in the formal application? because if i get accepted into either of my earlies, i'm not going to waste another 2-300 dollars, so, can i do this? will the colleges keep my recs?</p>
<p>Speaking as a school counselor, the only trouble I have found with sending in recs early is that the colleges will not yet have a file on you. That is, unless you completed a "Part I" of a two-part application. There is a much greater likelihood of stuff getting lost if there is no file open in which to place the recommendations.</p>
<p>bu the problem is, i don't want to force my teachers to write recs over their break (who would want to) and i don't want to send my other apps out before i hear back from my earlies cuz, frankly that's a lot of money, so i'm not sure what to do</p>
<p>Colleges are used to getting materials in support of an application well before the application itself -- it generally begins when you report your test scores. </p>
<p>Some colleges do have pre-application information forms, or they have a "step 1" part of their application that requests personal demographic information (name, address, etc.) and does not require payment of a fee -- I would say that you should go ahead and complete that part wherever it is offered - that will guarantee that the college has set up an admissions file and will know where to put the letters.</p>
<p>ok, perhaps i should further explain my situation, because i don't think any of my schools sets up a file without the app fee...</p>
<p>my two earlies mit and upenn, both come back around dec 15~18... my rd schools are jhu, columbia, cornell... don't have the option of sending in demographic info without a check... then there's the one's i'm applying to on a whim, hyp (<em>haha</em>)... still send them in even if there's no pre app form?</p>
<p>Are you on the mailing lists for these colleges? If not, fill out a form on their web site and request information - be sure to fill out your name and address on the form exactly as it will be on the application, and be sure that fill in the top part of the recommendation cover sheets the same way you will fill out the application. (In other words, don't use nicknames or omit your middle initial in one place and not the other). </p>
<p>The minute you request information from a college admissions office, they will set up a file. The problem my daughter ran into was that some colleges ended up creating multiple files for her. </p>
<p>Also, Cujoe..... your college list is missing a safety. ;)</p>
<p>no it's not... rutgers where i've already been accepted :) and i have one at columbia, and cornell, not sure about jhu, but i get crap from them all the time</p>
<p>Some people have suggested putting a stamped, self-addressed postcard in with various application materials so colleges can let you know when different parts of the app have been received. You might give these to your recommenders to enclose with their letters, if you wish to have proof that the recs have gotten to the colleges.</p>
<p>
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i don't want to force my teachers to write recs over their break
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This is thoughtful of you. I would imagine that your teachers have saved their recs on their computers, and will not be greatly inconvenienced to sent them to some other schools if you are providing the stamped, addressed envelopes. Just let them know that you may be sending out more and give them the envelopes now.</p>
<p>Or, if your school GC marshalls the process, have the teachers provide the completed recs to the GC office. It seems to me virtually all teachers familiar with the process realize that most studenst apply to half-dozen or more schools and that many students who apply ED/EA will need to submit other applications later.</p>
<p>Am I missing something?</p>
<p>oh i see what you're saying... and yes, the two or three teachers i would ask do all have them saved, except for my history teacher who hates technology and insists to hand write all of them... i'm sorry to him for having to write another 4 or 5 by hand lol... but yea, just ask them to hold onto everything until dec 20th or so? in any case cornell, jhu, HYP are all common app, i can make copies of the same form</p>