My teachers are dragging their feet on my recommendation letters, and I'm getting anxious because deadlines are approaching. Is it possible to submit my applications before the letters are in, or will that hurt my chances?
Absolutely, you can submit your college applications even if your recommendation letters have not yet been completed. In fact, many application platforms, such as the Common Application and the Coalition Application, allow you to submit your portion of the application independently of your recommenders. They have separate systems in place for recommenders to submit their letters, often providing a grace period for these materials to be added after you've submitted your application.
However, it’s important to ensure that your recommenders are aware of the deadlines and submit their letters as soon as possible so as not to delay the review of your application. If they're running behind, a polite reminder might be necessary. Colleges understand that you don't have control over when recommenders submit their letters, so your application won't be negatively impacted as long as the recommendations arrive within a reasonable time frame.
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