The case for sending LOR's (and other things) via FedEx

[ManTGeo]

There's an invaluable little lesson that I need to share with everyone:

If you can find any way to have something (including LOR's) sent to LSAC via FedEx, do it that way.

I guess I should clarify that this only applies if you are, like most here, obsessed with everything being in and processed as quickly as possible.

My reasons are as follows:

• The documents will not get lost.
• You'll know exactly when they're delivered, and it will be quick.
• Best of all, documents FedEx-ed to LSAC don't end up in the normal PO box mail bag. Instead, they end up in a magical land of happiness where they get processed within about 36 hours. This has been the case for two recs that I submitted during the past couple of weeks, while others seem to be waiting forever.

But ManTGeo, you say, how do I do this in terms of logistics?

First, you need a FedEx account number - I got mine a long time ago, but I think it's an easy process that involves signing up on the website or by phone with a credit card.

Then, you go online and create shipments corresponding to each document you need sent, making sure to change the sender address to the appropriate LOR sender in every case. It doesn't matter at all what date you put as the sending date, I promise. The system lets you print out a shipping document. Go to a local FedEx or a FedEx drop box and pick up an express envelope for every document you need to send, and put the shipping label in the appropriate plastic enclosure on the front of each. Then, just give the envelopes to your recommenders / whoever and have them enclose everything and sign the flap like they would with a normal envelope. They can just drop it in a FedEx drop box or give it to the department secretary or whatever. You'll be able to track the shipment because you created it, and LSAC will process it the day after it is delivered (in my experience, this has been the case for both LOR's I had sent this way).

How much does it cost? Less than $15 per 3-day envelope in almost any case, and often less than than $12 for 2-day. And note that you don't get billed unless the label you printed is actually used, so there's no worry if you have to change things and discard an old label.

[CandyMonster]

1. You rock.

2. FedEx is about to get awholelotta business.

3. Some of it will be from me. 

[ManTGeo]

bump

[Ilovecheese]

good to know man.  too bad i don't need to send anything to lsac any more.

[neverborn]

I wish you had posted this like 2 weeks ago!  I'm still waiting for LSAC to process my recs!

When were yours sent?!

[lawgirl415]

I sent everything Express mail to LSAC and I don't regret it at all. I could track it and I know it got there because I required a signature when they received my mail.

I recommend sending your documents FedEx or Certified mail.

[ManTGeo]

I sent everything Express mail to LSAC and I don't regret it at all. I could track it and I know it got there because I required a signature when they received my mail.

I recommend sending your documents FedEx or Certified mail.

I do believe, though, that if you send them via one of USPS's express products, it still ends up in the PO Box with everything else. When you send it FedEx, this (apparently) doesn't happen.

[CandyMonster]

Um, you can fax LOR's

Oh...well then.

[newtothis]

Um, you can fax LOR's

When faxing documents, you run the risk of degrading its image quality.  Sometimes when I receive faxes at work, the words are almost illegible.  Personally, I don't want to run the risk of making adcomms squint to read my LORs.

[nicole180]

What about Priority Mail? Anyone having experience of that? It seems to be cheaper and also requires signature.