We need some guidance in the actual timing/sequence of the application process. When does the college officially “open” or “start” a file on a student? When they pay the application fee? When they receive any parts from the student? Specifically, if a teacher is sending the recommendations separate from the application itself, does there need to be some action from the student first? Or if the student is completing the common application online and the high school is sending their profile sheets, transcripts, etc on paper through the mail, must the online portion be done first? Hard to believe we’ve done this with another child and now I’m feeling really fuzzy on these details. Thanks so much for any advice.
<p>hehe, I hope you're applying to Stanford, because that's the only school I know about yet : Stanford, you can submit the first part online, then the separate components of the app get sent directly from the teacher/student/college counselor. Sorry I can't help more.</p>
<p>Although it's generally a good idea to have your Part I in early, the timing of stuff isn't really an issue. Colleges understand that you can't always predict when teachers will send things in, and that some may prefer to give rec forms early to teachers who may in turn send it in earlier than the student's part. Therefore, colleges will store everything that arrives, and will match it up with whatever they get from you earlier/later.</p>
<p>This is a topic that my D is dealing with as we speak. She & I have discussed this, and we agreed that it's quite a leap of faith to have various application materials sent in piecemeal to a specific university & expect them to not lose anything.</p>
<p>So what she's doing is giving her HS counselor the teacher rec letters, essays, counselor eval forms, resumes & performance tapes to hold as the each app is done online. Once the app is done but not uploaded, she prints out a copy for the counselor to look over for errors & omissions. With the counselor's OK, then D will submit the app online to the college, and at the same time the counselor will give the registrar all the materials to be sent with the transcript in one package.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the rules are at high schools around the country, but at this one everything has to be sent out from the registrar. First ones go out a week from Friday, and we're crossing our fingers.</p>
<p>While there is nothing wrong with being cautious, and at times that may be the way to go, one can readily assume that colleges will receive all that you send in. It is generally a good idea to call in and check on the receipt status of documents also.</p>
<p>Usually once they get everything, they open a file/start one</p>
<p>Weemiester, welcome to College Confidential.</p>
<p>Here’s your first lesson on how to use this message board: check the dates of posts before you reply. You’ve just answered a question that’s over 8 years old! In other words, it’s really unlikely that bluejay et al. will ever come back to CC to read your answer, and it’s entirely possible that this “child” bluejay was talking about has recently graduated from law school.</p>
<p>It’s a pretty common new-user mistake. And given the wide range of mistakes a person could make on the Internet, I suppose you could’ve done a lot worse. ;)</p>