So if they’re already sending out letter of recc requests, what does it mean for late applicants? I’m in the process of finalizing mine and plan to send it out later today, tomorrow latest.
Hi, I submitted my application on 11/25 and got the request email today (11/27). Is that possible that they can review my app within 2 days…?? My stats: SAT 2140 (610cr, 760math, 770wr, single sitting, 2230 superscore with a 700cr) SAT2 math II 800, Physics 720. TOEFL 108 (r30, l29, s24, w25 yup I’m international) My ECs are not that competitive. I guess I’m a borderline applicant.
Seems like a lot of us are getting the email. I wonder if it is auto sent to all applicants. Anyone here applied early and NOT getting the email asking for letters of recommendation?
I just got the email asking for recommendations, I don’t particularly have high stats 32 ACT and 4.4ish uncapped.
College of letters and sciences
I think the most potentially revealing way of looking at the emails would be to find out who isn’t getting them. If there aren’t any extremely qualified candidates(numbers wise) not getting emails then it would seem to give credence to the theory that receiving a LOR request email is an indicator of having a higher chance of getting in. On the other hand if there are highly qualified ppl not receiving emails then there are probably other factors at play that are deciding who are being sent LOR request emails.
I applied a bit before loxiel and didn’t get it yet. But if you could get it in 2 days, I am guessing it’s automated based on gpa and test scores, or simply randomized.
My stats are 2280 SAT and 4.0 UW to College of Chemistry.
I’m curious about how people approached the essay questions? I chose to write mine more creatively and more, idk, emotionally than what appears to be the norm? They just kind of feel like something I’d submit to UChicago, almost.
Submitted mine to L&S 2 days ago. 4.4 GPA (took 4 APs in 9th and before, so didn’t count), 32 ACT (34 super). 800 SAT2, My ECs: USAMO qual for 2 yrs, Gold and Bronze USAPhO semifinal, USAChO qual one yr, 14+ math courses completed from UC already. 2 years work exp in science&engineering company, Internship at a UC. No letter request yet.
@Kasami I just focused mine on my love for research in math and science.
I got a LOR request 6 days after I submitted(submitted 11/14, requested 11/20) 2270 SAT 800 Math2, 750 bio M 3.93 UW 4.36 UC weighted
@andyis I believe loxiel is an international applicant based on his TOEFL submission. A 11/25 date is probably equivalent to 11/24 in PST.
@andyis I submitted my application on the 20th, received an email saying that it had been forwarded to the campuses I had applied to on the 25th and finally another email on the 26th requesting the rec letters. Are you saying it has been 2 days since you submitted the application or 2 days since it was forwarded to the campus?
I submitted it 4 days ago. I have not received the email that it has been forwarded to the campuses. I’m guessing if I’ll get a recommendation request, it’ll be in the coming week
Submitted my app 10 minutes ago.
I just received the request for LOR. Submitted my application 11/25.
@tigerbookmark Same here! Does that mean we were on the border? (because my stats were pretty good, and my extracurriculars are pretty powerful) 
@Spicykins I honestly don’t know. There has been a lot of speculations floating around, but nothing really concrete. I don’t see how they could holistically have gone through the application in such a short period of time. But then again, I’ve heard that each reader from even top private universities only spends on average 15min reading each application. The stats from last year show a 17% admit rate. They are requesting LOR from roughly 20% of the applicants (even from those with fantastic numbers). So there aren’t that many left from the 20% to filter out. The LOR will probably be used for the second tier filter, and possibly to determine scholarships offer?
@Spicykins I don’t think they already had time to thoroughly review any applications and with your stats I doubt that you’re a borderline candidate.
@tigerbookmark @nadinem123 haha thanks guys! the moment i saw that email I freaked out and came to CC, but as I looked through the past comments, I feel slightly better now (though I’m still pretty annoyed that I have to go to my teachers and counselors again to ask for more recs)
@Spicykins Only one has to come from a teacher, the other could come from anyone else (not necessarily from your counselor - considering how busy counselors are this time of the year). Your teachers can just send in what they have already written, so it shouldn’t be that big of a deal for them. When you add recommenders on the Cal website, your teachers will just get the email request to upload the LOR.
I got a recommendation request on the 16th–2310 w/ UC GPA around 4.4-4.5. Hopefully it’s a good thing!