I submitted my Common App to Princeton yesterday. I would also like to submit two additional letters if possible. The problem is that Princeton does not take additional recs with the Common App, so I would have to mail the letters in. My question is, is it okay if I mail the two letter of recommendations after the Jan 1st deadline? My recommenders are on break and I have to wait until the 4th to mail the letters.
I understand additional recs are not a good idea if they are redundant, but these recs are from two people who know me really well. Is it okay if I mail them together after the deadline?
Your portion is due on Jan 1st. Many other docs (LORs included) trickle in afterward – and it’s totally normal.
This site has been around for about ten years. I don’t know of a single instance where someone reported that they got an "incomplete " app because scores, transcripts, recommendations, school reports were sent into the colleges in mid January. But I guarantee you that every late December and late October (for EA and ED apps), there will be thousands of posts and threads like this.
Colleges spend millions of dollars collectively, trying to get you to submit. They aren’t going to install a pit right at the finish line. At midnight January 1st when many of your peers are losing it, the admissions people are going to be sleeping calmly in their beds. There’s not some massive party at the office with people devilishly ready to hit the auto reject or delete button once the midnight hour passes.
As much as you want to be admitted to dream college X, the colleges want you to find a way to enroll you as well. Don’t forget that.
