Does Common App Notify Your Recommender by Email? Explained

Applying to colleges can be a big deal. You’ve worked hard, poured your heart into those essays, and now you’re assembling everything on the Common App. If letters of recommendation are part of the process, you’re probably curious: Does the Common App notify your recommenders by email? Let’s find out, step by step!

How It Works

The short answer is yes. The Common App sends an email to your recommender once you invite them to submit a letter on your behalf. This makes the system super convenient for both you and the person writing your recommendation.

Here’s a simplified explanation:

You enter your recommender’s name and email address into the Common App.
The system sends an email to their inbox.
Your recommender clicks the link in the email and uploads their letter.

Pretty neat, right? Let’s take a closer look at what exactly happens to keep everything running smoothly.

When Does the Email Get Sent?

The email doesn’t go out until you officially invite your recommender. This happens when you enter their information and click submit. So don’t worry; no accidental emails will be sent if you’re just playing around on the site.

The email will include:

Instructions on how to upload the letter.
A deadline (if the college sets one).
Your name so they know who the letter is for.

Make sure to keep an open line of communication with your recommender! You don’t want the email to surprise them. It’s always polite to ask for their help ahead of time.

What If They Don’t Receive the Email?

Sometimes technology can be a little tricky. If your recommender doesn’t see the email, here are a few things to check:

Make sure you entered their email address correctly.
Ask them to check their spam or junk folder.
Have them look for an email from noreply@commonapp.net.

If they still can’t find it, try resending the invitation. There’s an option to do this directly from your Common App account.

Can You Remind Your Recommender?

Yes! If the deadline is getting close and your letter hasn’t been uploaded yet, don’t panic. The Common App lets you send a reminder email. It’s super easy to do:

Log into your Common App account.
Go to the “Recommenders and FERPA” section for the school.
Click the “Resend” option next to your recommender’s name.

This will prompt the system to send another email. Think of it as a friendly nudge for your recommender.

How to Make Things Easier for Your Recommender

Writing a letter of recommendation takes time, so you’ll want to make it as easy as possible:

Ask early: Give your recommender plenty of time to plan, write, and submit the letter.
Provide details: Share the deadlines, the name of the school, and highlights about yourself they could mention in the letter.
Follow up: A quick thank-you note for their effort goes a long way!

Is It Stressful? Not At All!

Don’t let this part of the college application process stress you out. The Common App makes submitting and tracking recommendation letters simple. Just remember:

Double-check email addresses for accuracy.
Give your recommenders a heads-up before sending the invite.
Follow up politely if needed.

And if all else fails, the Common App support team is there to help. They can assist your recommender with any technical issues.

Final Thoughts

So, does Common App notify your recommender by email? Absolutely! It’s a simple and streamlined process. By preparing early and staying organized, you’ll have one less thing to worry about as you embark on your college application journey.

Good luck applying to your dream schools! You’ve got this!