Order of Documents Received?

[irish80122]

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Does it matter what order you send your materials? I am ready to send transcripts and pass out the materials to my letter writers but I am not yet done on my personal statement so I am not quite ready to send in my application. Must you send in your application before the rest of your materials, or do they open a folder regardless? Just not sure how it works with graduate school. Thanks!

 

[perfektspace]

I second the question!

I am a re-applicant and last year I had some substantial problems with material not being received or lost entirely. I sent my GRE's and Transcripts ahead of the application and supplemental materials. Maybe that is a bad thing. They don't tell you one way or another if it matters.

 

[green23]

Some of my recommendations were just sent out, but i haven't handed in any other application materials yet - so I called my schools and asked if it would be a problem. They said no problem at all... You may just want to call (or e-mail) a few days after you send them and check and see if they've arrived. But they seem to say it's all right for some of your materials to arrive before the entirety of your application. I think they'll open a file for you once they receive anything with your name on it.

Hope that helps!

 

[irish80122]

bump

 

[irish80122]

Answers are coming, as I am emailing every one of the grad programs I am applying to and asking them. I will let you know when I find out. I did find this on Duke's website though...

It is always our preference that your application be self-contained, i.e., all required supporting documents (except, of course, the electronic application form and official test scores) should be included in the same envelope. This ensures the fastest processing of your file. However, should any documents arrive before the application forms, we will hold them in a pending file until the completed application forms and application fee are submitted. (Pending file items are held for one year and then destroyed.)

 

[irish80122]

Dang this board is pretty dead lately. Anyways, I have received several emails back and all of them so far have said that the order doesn't matter.

 

[psypsypsy]

I'll add that I don't think the order matters, and it was never mentioned as an issue when I was applying. However, I would put as much in one envelope as they let you. The last thing you want is a million things to get lost. If the school doesn't require your recommenders to send them in separately, I would put the signed, sealed, envelopes in your package. No rules, but just limiting chances of things getting lost in the mail, put in someone else's folder, etc. I've heard a number of horror stories about this, not to scare anyone.