<p>@ambiance: It’s not just you. I have TWO recommenders completely AWOL…and all but two of my schools had Dec. 1 deadlines. Argh.</p>
<p>I’m really glad they encouraged me to apply this year. What better use of my $700 than to pay ETS to certify that I can add and speak English, and then to pay various departmental secretaries to collect the paperwork and hide it in a filing cabinet. Next round, I may well be applying with zero references from undergrad, despite having worked for two of the biggest names in my field and producing publishable work. Argh!</p>
<p>But supposing I could get them off their butts sometime before Valentine’s Day…is there still a chance of getting looked at if you’re incomplete when the committee meets? (I’ve got a good app otherwise.)</p>