<p>Do they start a file in your name, or do the recs get trashed?</p>
<p>Good question; I'm wondering the same thing. I'm filling out the Common App, but I'm still working on the essay, so I've been waiting to ask for recs. Should I wait until I've submitted the whole thing before asking my teachers for recs (which means that either I'm stuck throwing something together at the last minute or they are), or is it ok for me to ask for recs now?</p>
<p>At our kids' HS, they give students the option of having all recs turned into the GC & having him submit everything as one package, so nothing gets lots along the way & everyting goes together, with the school transcript. </p>
<p>They also allow students to give the teacher a stamped, addressed envelope & the teacher sends it at his/her convenience. Maybe your GC can advise you & maybe you could advise your recs as to when your completed application will be sent so they can plan for their recs to arrive after that date. I don't think the colleges would trash your rec, but it would be tough for them to file & more likely to be misplaced, I'd think.</p>
<p>the recs will just sit in a dark corner until they open your file. then it's good to call to ask if the recs made their way into your file. most of the times they do, but there's a possibility that they don't.</p>
<p>They should be coded with your identifying number and will go into your file - if they are the first thing there, that will start the file. Still, it's a good idea to confirm that everything is complete. A few years ago, my son's application at one college was held up because a transcript went missing and nobody from the college contacted us or the HS - we only found out after asking why no decision had been received. (Fortunately, it wasn't one of his prime schools.) We relied on the online application tracking at that college, which didn't indicate anything missing and simply said that the app was being reviewed. Moral of story: don't assume anything if this is an important application - get a human to confirm that everything needed is present.</p>