Will A Missing Recommendation Preclude Me From Consideration?

<p>I submitted everything required for the Harvard application before the deadline -- all except for a required recommendation which was not sent to Harvard due to a glitch on Common App and is now being sent by mail. The Harvard website states that all application materials must be submitted before January 1st for Regular Decision consideration. I have tried calling the school, but have yet to receive a response. Will I be penalized for this error? I'm terrified that all of the hard work and money that went into my application will be wasted because of a Common App glitch and a subsequent delay in mailing in this recommendation letter. Also, will Harvard accept this mailed letter?</p>

<p>Thanks, and best of luck to everyone!</p>

<p>Not to worry. Your recommendations should arrive by the 3rd week of January, which is when Harvard starts to notify applicants of missing materials and gives them a week to fax everything in. Just to make sure everything is received, I would have your GC fax the recommendations to: Harvard College Admissions
 at 617-495-8821.</p>

<p>H spends hundreds of thousands of dollars and manhours to assemble the best possible applicant pool.</p>

<p>You conclude that it now wantonly discards potential students, without as much as a courtesy telephone call/email to inform them of missing documents?</p>

<p>Harvard may not be perfect but they aren’t insane. You’re fine.</p>

<p>Nope! Something similar happened to me and in the end I got in. No worries. (:</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone! Does anyone know if just mailing the recommendation to Harvard is alright, or should I try faxing it as well to be safe?</p>