Accepted with an incomplete application?!

[fishasaurus]

When I started applying for grad schools, I knew that one of my professors was going to have issues submitting his letter on time (he has a history of this sort of thing). My top choice school had a deadline of December 23rd, and all of my emails to him went unanswered. This school came back from break today, and I woke up to a voicemail from them. I figured that they would be asking me about the missing letter, but the message turned out to be an offer of admission. 

 

I'm a little shocked--not only did I get into my top school on the very first day they started looking through applications, but they accepted me with an incomplete application? This seems a little unusual to me, and I'm paranoid that they made a mistake. I know I had a strong application, but I don't know if it's so strong that they don't need all three letters. A friend of mine (another top student) applied and hasn't heard from them, and he has a complete application.

 

Is getting in with an incomplete application even a thing? And should I keep bugging my professor about submitting his letter? Does that even matter now?

[Lilac13]

I've read about other people on here getting accepted to programs without having all of the required letters of recommendation turned in. So I say that to say, it is possible. I don't think they made a mistake. I think it means you are a stellar applicant! Congratulations!

[ion_exchanger]

I received an email from an ad comm member, and they said that while they would prefer 3 letters, my file would be reviewed with just two, provided that my top LOR was submitted. Were the others you submitted your strongest or most relevant? Congratulations!

[Vader Was Framed]

Austin is weird like that.

[rising_star]

I was admitted that way before. It's definitely a surprise and totally awesome when it happens. In my case, I later had to get them the third letter because they wanted to nominate me for a university-wide fellowship.

 

Congratulations!!

[fishasaurus]

Thanks guys! The missing letter was from my summer research advisor, but my other two letters were from my current research advisor, and a professor who has taught two of my classes and reviewed my NSF essays. Knowing that my summer advisor has a history of cutting it close and not responding to emails, I put my other two professors above him.

 

I got the official email today with details about arranging travel to the recruiting event in early March, so I guess they really meant it. I'm still a little surprised, but very excited!

[PhDreams]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!