<p>I have a close friend who will be writing me an outside letter of recommendation for Stanford RD. The admissions office is closed for the next week and a half so I decided to ask you guys:</p>
<p>When should that letter be in? Does it have to be January 1, or can it be a few days after?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I would recommend that it be in by January 1st, simply because it’s optional. Just tell them to fax it in.</p>
<p>If they’re not back until 1/7, would it really make a difference though?</p>
<p>^Just because there isn’t a cop at the stop sign does it matter if you run it? Yes… it does. Follow the rules.</p>
<p>I’m not attempting to break the “rules”</p>
<p>I’m just looking for an understanding of when Stanford is expecting that recommendation</p>
<p>When adcoms won’t be in until the 7th doesn’t mean that there isn’t someone else there sorting/scanning documents.</p>
<p>One week after the deadline is already pushing it for a required recommendation. This one is supplemental.</p>
<p>It can’t really hurt you to send it late, at worst they won’t read it, just try to fax/mail it as soon as possible.</p>