Now my son applying to U, application deadline is 1 Jan. One of U requirements is to include in application example of graded paper. Issue is that my son’s school closed for winter holidays from 13 Dec up to 6 Jan and he hasn’t any graded paper at home. He tried to connect with his teachers but found only one of them for Physics. So he can send only Physics graded paper but that is not what U asking about. They prefer English, Economics, ect.
So what to do? Send Physics to make full application before deadline or apply now without graded paper and then send it separate with explanation of delay reason? But earlier that will be more than one week after deadline. Can that harm his application?
I believe that he will still be able to submit his application without the graded paper, and submit the graded paper later. A physics paper won’t work; the colleges that are asking are amongst the ones that eliminated the SAT/ACT with essay and are using the paper as a way to assess his writing, not to show academic prowess. So I’d send the paper separately. Personally, I’m not sure I would provide an explanation for the delay.
It’s also a way to view the student’s thinking, in how and what he chooses (what he’s satisfied is a good example.) It can serve as a filter, for kids who got a lot of help writing the app essays.
I agree it should be fine to send this after 1/1. But asap, as reviews will be starting in earnest, then. No, you don’t want to explain the delay is because you didn’t get started sooner.