Letters of rec - how late is too late?

[Spinozian]

Title gets the gist. Got a couple letters that'll be coming in about a week past the deadlines. What's the worst case scenario here? Thanks in advance.

[maxhgns]

It's probably fine, especially if we're just talking about one recommender (as opposed to all three). Academics are used to other academics being really flaky. And it's unlikely that they'll get started on the pile right away or, if they do, that they'll get through the whole thing and just chuck your application as incomplete. If they like your file but notice the missing letter, they'll set it aside for a bit and see if it trickles in (and perhaps even notify you or the writer in question).

The worst case scenario, of course, is that your application is chucked out of hand for being incomplete. I don't think that's likely at most schools, however.

[Duns Eith]

Talk to your recommender. They might have forgotten, and even if they didn't they are on the hook to get it in.

One of my recommenders emailed the DGS to apologize and explain that he wishes that it not reflect poorly on the applicant.

Edited January 10, 2018 by Duns Eith