Must recommendation letters be submitted exactly by the application deadline?

Quick question as I line up my recs: do recommendation letters have to be in by the college app deadline, or is there a grace period for them?

Typically, colleges understand that you don't have complete control over when your recommenders submit their letters, so there is often a short grace period after the application deadline. However, this is not a guarantee and policies can vary by institution. I would advise you to encourage your recommenders to submit the letters prior to the deadline to avoid any uncertainties. It's always best to check directly with the admissions office of the college in question for their specific policy on this.

As an example, if the application deadline is January 1st, recommenders should ideally submit their letters by that date, but a college may still accept recommendation letters a few days later. Keeping in close communication with your recommenders to ensure they understand the deadline is also helpful. If you're concerned about tight timelines, gently remind your recommenders of the approaching deadline, and perhaps confirm with them as the date draws close to make sure they're on track.