IvyHope

lol...are you sure the programs required one?

It is crucial to have letters in before review. However, that doesn't mean the committees begin review on the day of the deadline...a day or two likely won't hurt.

Most schools now are moving to the online system in which letters are submitted to the school directly anyhow. It may become a moot point. Now if only they'd do that with transcripts. :=)

It probably is unethical, but obviously some people take this more seriously than others. Most of my writers actually sent me a copy of the letter via email. I've even had two recommenders (strong, well known in the field types) ask me to write the letter for them and then bring it to them to sign (this was not recently). What do you have to gain by reading them? If there is something bad in there (which there likely is not) then you will just have to deal with a strained relationship with XYZ professor. If they are all good, then you still sit around waiting on this forum for good news from your prospective schools. Either way it is not going to change your outcome.

Yeah...a friend of mine made the mistake of telling a coworker, who broadcasted it to the staff at the Christmas party...she's been fighting for her job ever since. People are not so sensitive...

You have a family, though. A bit harder to keep things hidden from a spouse. That's the beauty of being a late-20s spinster, I guess.

Seems sort of silly to me. I mean, I think bubo has a point- who turns down their top choice? Even if they are not offered funding? Even if you do make up a story about getting in without funding, people will believe what they want. But, really, some of these schools are so ridiculously competitive that it would be really hard to understand why one would be embarrassed about not getting accepted. The program I applied to at Stanford (t_ruth?) admits 10 or so out of 500+ applicants...? Would I feel ashamed about not getting admitted? No. It's not all that different than buying a lotto ticket, for crying out loud. I, both times I have done this, have kept it entirely to myself, even from my family. That way if I am rejected across the board, no one will be the wiser. ;-) That's the superstitious piece of me.

Who knows? You didn't give any indication of deadlines. If they are already meeting to discuss applicants, then probably.

Goodness, your stories are quite disturbing. My apps were all filed as complete within 1-2 days of the deadline. In fact, one school called me the DAY OF to straighten out an issue, and my file was updated that same day. I wonder why so many of you are having such trouble???

Why does that scare you? They have to make decisions at some point! I know this because I am close with one of the faculty that is on the admission committee at my school.

NO. You're thinking wayyyy too much about this. Just relax.

I think it could be really helpful to your application. I mean, it certainly helps you stand out from the pack. As long as the other two can attest to your qualifications as a researcher, why not?

I see. I just woke up.

Well, how does one peek at a letter without opening it?

The ad comm in my department is still waiting on the graduate secretary to complete files. They have their first meeting next Tuesday. The deadline was Jan 1. I believe.

Law school admissions have it right...do everything through the LSAC.

So, you opened a sealed letter and read it, and then returned it to the writer? Interesting...

I was told by Harvard that the statement of purpose served as a writing sample. Note, I am not applying to the same program, yet it was interesting nonetheless.

These are some interesting plan Bs. I am fortunate because for me, applying to grad school this round IS my plan B. I am content to stay where I am, if I am not accepted with funding to a better program.

I find this unusual as well. Seems at most places to which I've applied, the materials go to the department and then are forwarded to the graduate school, if you've been accepted.

Excellent. I am sure we are more similar in position as well...

I think there is also a distinct difference between the person who goes to grad school out of a true love and interest, and the person who goes for other reasons (ie, loss of a job, bad economy, nothing better to do). If you are not sure academia is for you, then by all means stay out of the way of the rest of us. But, if you are passionate about academia, don't let some blip on your record stop you from chasing that dream.

The grad coordinator isn't making admissions decisions, so don't worry.

My gosh you had a rough few weeks there!

No, no, no. Sending an email to confirm they have received your information after several weeks has gone by is NOT the same as contacting them immediately, etc. If you don't know the status of your application (ie, the school doesn't provide that information on a website) then you should assume everything is ok until you hear otherwise. If something is amiss with your application, they will notify you. Some programs are more efficient about this than others. But for heaven's sake, don't pester them repeatedly, don't call after one week has gone by, don't assume your status will be updated immediately, etc. You have to relax, folks. These people are professionals, they know what they are doing, and they do it all the time. It is their job to be sure your file is complete before it is forwarded to the admissions committee. If for some reason it is not, they will notify you. I_D Here everyone, have a drink.