Submission Deadlines for Letters of Recommendation

Hi, fellow stressed juniors! I heard letters of recommendation are pretty important, right? So, when are these typically due? Is there a standard deadline or does it vary from college to college?

In general, letters of recommendation will need to be submitted at the same time as the rest of your application. This date varies depending on the application type and on the school you're applying to. For most colleges:

- For Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA): Deadlines generally fall between November 1 and November 15.

- For Regular Decision (RD): Deadlines generally fall on January 1, though they may be as early as December 15 to as late as February 1.

However, you should always check the specific requirements for each school on their admissions website as these dates can vary.

Moreover, it's important to ask your teachers for their letters as early as possible, ideally in the spring of your junior year or very early in the fall of your senior year. This gives your teachers plenty of time to write a thorough, thoughtful recommendation, and reduces stress on everyone involved. For example, if your application is due November 1, aim to have your recommenders submit their letters by the middle of October.

Keep in mind that each school may have specific guidelines on how these letters should be submitted, so make sure to check the college's specific instructions. Usually, recommenders will submit through Naviance, the Common Application, or the school's application portal.

And yes, a good letter of recommendation can lend a lot of weight to your application. It provides colleges with a personal perspective on your academic capabilities and character, corroborating the information you've presented in other parts of your application. So, make sure to choose your recommenders carefully!