<li>Should I ever rush my test scores to Columbia?
No! Never utilize the rush service in sending your test scores to Columbia. Doing so does not speed up the processing of your test scores. We secure all testing via a secure Web site to which we are provided access by the appropriate testing agency. Scores which are sent via the rush service are sent to us in paper form, which we are no longer able to process.</li>
</ol>
<p>I haven’t sent them yet… If I can’t rush them, does this mean that I can’t get them there in time, or can I just send them regular and have them arrive after the deadline?</p>
<p>Additionally, is one required to use their forms for teacher recommendations and/or the school report? My school has their own forms (resembling the Common App, but I know that Columbia doesn’t do the Common App), and I don’t want to annoy my teachers with filling out another (and, to be honest, a less comprehensive) form for this, but, of course, if I have to, I will.</p>
<p>I think if you send your test scores tonight you should be fine, especially since it says it gets them online - but I am not an authority on that so don't quote me. As for the recommendation forms, though it may be annoying, I would ask all your teachers to use their forms, I mean, you don't want to make it easy for Columbia to find fault with you - you're selling yourself to them, so make it look good, and do what they ask.</p>
<p>Exactly. AND ONE IMPORTANT THING!!! The form asks you to send it in 9 X 12 envelopes. Do it. According to a teacher of mine, (very bright, mensa member), he says that most colleges will just chuck the letter if its not in the 9 X 12 letter. </p>
<p>I don't think that's true. I have had schools accept the smaller envelopes. Also, the schools know that sometimes it's out of your hands. I've known kids who gave their teachers the form and a large envelope, but the teacher gets confused with all their apps and just sends it in a regular envelope. Sometimes, teachers just give the recommendation straight to the counselor and it's really not your fault if the teacher didn't read the directions carefully. Stuff happens and I don't think colleges will really penalize you for such a small thing.</p>
<p>I find it extremely implausible that colleges would throw out small envelopes without even checking what's inside. Also, I don't see how being a member of Mensa would make someone an expert on the college admissions proccess.</p>
<p>hey guys, whoa... double attack. Mensa thing... that was just to keep people from thinking, "he's just a teacher, what the heck does he know" and you're completely entitled to your opinion, but I still maintain that Shirbot should follow the instructions. </p>
<p>It's not meant to be an attack. Misinformation is rampant about college admissions in general, and CC is an easy forum for that to spread. Everything should be taken with a grain of salt, and I personally found what you said to be particularly difficult to believe. Obviously you should mail your stuff in the envelope size that they request -- I did -- but I really doubt that any admissions committee is so anal that the size of your envelope determines your admission.</p>
<p>yeah no, i understand the point of the reply. But I just wanted to let u guys know I wasn't trying to misinform anyone. Its just something I heard, that I believe to some degree.</p>
<p>lol...yapsuper is right. it says it right on all of the recommendation forms. letters are supposed to be 9X12. and also, not all colleges require that, so its not like everyone that uses smaller envelopes for other colleges would get rejected</p>
<p>My teacher sent them in regular envelope, and it worked out fine. So much for mensa. (Also, I didn't use their forms for the recommendations, of course.)</p>