How do letters of recommendation work?

[andy001]

Hi!
When I request a letter of rec from a professor do I just need them to have it handy when the schools email them? Is that how it works? Or do they have to send it to the actual school?

Thanks!

 

[Septopus7]

Hi!
When I request a letter of rec from a professor do I just need them to have it handy when the schools email them? Is that how it works? Or do they have to send it to the actual school?

Thanks!

Most schools have it so that the letters are submitted by the recommenders online. So what would happen is you give the school your recommenders email at some point in the application process, they send an email out to them requesting they submit the letter, and your recommender uploads it him or her self through whatever website thing they have set up. Makes for an easier process but, on the down side, you are completely in the hands of the professor submitting the letter, so sometimes it takes a lot of "Did you get that email from the school, did you submit your letter, is it done yet????" type follow ups on your part.