<p>My daughter did a great job at her summer internship while working with impressive high powered people. Her boss is eager to write her a killer letter of recommendation. </p>
<p>The question is when and how to include this when applying to colleges. </p>
<p>She has set up a common application account naming 10 colleges to which she is applying: (1) ED, (1) EA and (8) Regular decision. </p>
<p>She wants to make it easy for her internship boss by providing all the stamped addressed envelopes for the colleges at once. Her boss can then make just one mailing. She is mindful which colleges are willing to read additional letters.</p>
<p>If her boss sends the letters next week, will colleges be ready to receive them? Will they have a "file" ready for her?</p>
<p>I am thinking the letters should be sent directly to the college, right?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any advice on this matter.</p>
<p>While I highly doubt a college would just toss a recommendation letter away because you haven’t opened your application process yet, it’s worth sending an inquiry to the undergrad admissions office to make sure. I don’t think you officially open the process until you send something to them, whether it be CA, supplement, etc.</p>
<p>Each college/university decides when it will create a file for a student. Some institutions wait until they receive the application, while others will create a file as soon as they receive any credential (letter of recommendation, test score, etc.) for an applicant. Even if an institution doesn’t create a file until they receive the application, they will still hold onto the item/document. Once the actual application is received, the school will then link the application with any documents that were previously received. The most important thing is that you follow each school’s instructions about how they want to receive supplemental letters. Some schools want the letters sent via e-mail, other schools want them sent via FAX, and others don’t want them at all.</p>