Same boat. I'm playing a game of how many times can I remind my recommender to submit her last letter.
Usually you can resend it through the app portal though?
I'm applying to nine. I've talked to people who have applied to 15-20 and got too many interviews to attend (hoping I have that problem), but like @PsychWannabee said, this is an investment on your end and you don't want to get into somewhere that's not a good fit in the first place.
HOWEVER, I wouldn't discount a place that would otherwise be a good fit beside it just being a meh geographic location unless that's a total dealbreaker for you.
I'm thinking about doing this, but maybe a few days/a week after the app deadline. It's all about getting them to pay attention to your app when they're reviewing them, so I'd think that would make the most sense?
I told myself I would go to grad school somewhere warmer than the snowhell that I've lived in my entire life and lo and behold I'm mostly applying to schools in the northern midwest.
I'm doing a research project on PTSD/suicidality from the social psych side of things! Trauma is so much fun, and I don't care if that sounds terrible.
Now that I'm done with my apps I'm just sitting here on Thanksgiving.. hearing crickets. Guess I have to wait for IRB to come through and then I'll be busy again.
Good luck!!
There were several who had similar research interests as I (stigma within underrepresented groups). I put down Bodenhausen, Destin, Gardner, and Perry.
@psychtobeme I applied and it didn't look like it was required.. I see on the PhD requirements page now where it looks like they might be asking for it, but it wasn't on the Application Process page so I didn't send anything in.