<p>This might be a stupid question, but when you are sending in your stuff for college applications, does it have to be MAILED by the deadline or RECEIVED by the deadline?</p>
<p>For example, if a school's deadline is December 31st, must I have my letters postmarked by December 31st, or do they have to get there by December 31st?</p>
<p>Mailed (specifically postmarked). There would be no real way for you to be certain whether it would take 3 days or 5 days to get to whereever it is going.</p>
<p>postmarked. But i suggest sending them in earlier.</p>
<p>Check your colleges' websites or call and ask. Some have a postmark requirement, some have a "received by" requirement. And if it's a "received by", give yourself at least one week leeway for the application or materials to get there.</p>