Does it matter if you submit an application first without all your letters of recommendation?

[Zephyr99]

Hi all,

Quick question: does it negatively impact your chances if you submit an application first despite not having all your letters of recommendations from your professors? Does it matter? I have some applications right now that are completed but I'm waiting on one professor to submit her letter (probably a day or two before the due date) before I officially submit them. I just want to get these things out of my sight!

[LittleDarlings]

I think it depends on the school? When I applied to OSU I submitted the app and waited for the letters, I couldn't see my status of who sent and who didn't until I submitted the app. At least they can start processing it.

[New England Nat]

Does not matter.  The people who make decisions wont even be looking at applications for weeks after the due date.

[Zephyr99]

Pinkster12, how did you get accepted into the UPitt program? The deadline is January 15th and it's not rolling admissions. Are you applying to the MA program for next semester?

[A Finicky Bean]

Ohio doesn't send out recommendation requests until after the application is turned in. Same with Indiana and ASU. I know this because I'm applying here and freaked out because one of my recommenders did not submit their letter before deadline. It is ok though because her letter was added to my applications with no problem (as far as I can see online anyway). Good luck!

[A Finicky Bean]

Pinkster12, how did you get accepted into the UPitt program? The deadline is January 15th and it's not rolling admissions. Are you applying to the MA program for next semester?

Good question...I'd like to know this as well as I am applying to the doctoral program here. 

[LittleDarlings]

I applied to the MSW program and they has early priority admission, they guarenteed admission to anyone above a 3.3 as long as you got your app in by Nov 30.

[CageFree]

Pinkster12, how did you get accepted into the UPitt program? The deadline is January 15th and it's not rolling admissions. Are you applying to the MA program for next semester?

 

Different programs have different application timelines. Pitt seems to make decisions in February, based on my experience from a couple of years ago.

[fuzzylogician]

Unless the application software won't let you submit on your end until all of your letters are submitted, it doesn't matter. Your letter writers should still have the ability to submit letters after you have submitted the application, and in some cases they can only do it after you submit. In addition, as others have pointed out, schools will normally not start reviewing applications immediately after the deadline (exception: schools with rolling admissions). They will leave some time for late letters, transcripts, etc. As long as your application is complete at the time of review, it doesn't matter what was submitted when.

[A Finicky Bean]

Different programs have different application timelines. Pitt seems to make decisions in February, based on my experience from a couple of years ago.

 

So he is applying to the MA program then? I am sorry to be dense about this, but PhD apps aren't due until January, so this is what is causing the confusion. **stress-ball here**

[hj2012]

It also seems that Pinkster applied to a Masters in Social Work at Pitt, not a Masters in History....so that might be causing your confusion.

[CageFree]

So he is applying to the MA program then? I am sorry to be dense about this, but PhD apps aren't due until January, so this is what is causing the confusion. **stress-ball here**

 

No, don't worry. That person applied to social work. I submitted my Pitt application the day it was due and was admitted, so I wouldn't worry about that type of stuff. My own program has a similar policy... the deadline is there for a reason. 

[LittleDarlings]

Sorry for the confusion, I saw this question when it was in "waiting it out" (I think). Before it was in this specific group.  I applied for the Social Work program. Sorry! 

[Henry Hudson]

I have had situations where recommenders did not get their letters in by deadline. It does not seem to be that big a deal, as long as they are along within the next week or two. 

[Nikos Evangelos]

All that matters is that your app is complete and submitted by deadline. Recommenders can submit afterward, but do keep pestering them (nicely!) until they do. Admisssions committees generally convene starting in mid to late January.