waiting scanning of lors

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RX 135

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i am desperately waiting for scanning of my letters, I would like your advice if i can go ahead with my application, or apply after my lors get are in the post office(i have one lor in the post office right now)

thanks in advance
 
RX 135 said:
i am desperately waiting for scanning of my letters, I would like your advice if i can go ahead with my application, or apply after my lors get are in the post office(i have one lor in the post office right now)

thanks in advance
Click to expand...

You do not have to wait for your letters to be scanned in to apply. Some programs may offer interviews without the letters (depending on the strength of the rest of your application).
 
hmmm, but i am getting diff advice from diff sources,
 
RX 135 said:
hmmm, but i am getting diff advice from diff sources,
Click to expand...

The officials at my school are giving the same advice as Winged Scapula.

I don't have my LORs in to the "Post Office" yet, either.
But I will be hitting submit tomorrow.

What can it hurt? If a particular program won't consider your app until it's ALL there, they'll just wait until the letters get there. Meanwhile, you'll already have a head start on those programs that are willing to consider you app already.
 
Still Kickin said:
The officials at my school are giving the same advice as Winged Scapula.

I don't have my LORs in to the "Post Office" yet, either.
But I will be hitting submit tomorrow.

What can it hurt? If a particular program won't consider your app until it's ALL there, they'll just wait until the letters get there. Meanwhile, you'll already have a head start on those programs that are willing to consider you app already.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

If they won't interview you without the letters, then you have lost nothing.

If they will interview you without the letters, then you're ahead of the game.

What other advice are you (the OP) getting? And their reasoning?
 
When is an application considered "complete" with regard to letters? I know most programs require 3, allow up to 4. Let's say I assign 4 letters to a program, but only 3 make it in by around mid September. At this point, because I have met the minimum requirement, is my app complete provided all the other stuff is in?
 
spottydotty said:
When is an application considered "complete" with regard to letters? I know most programs require 3, allow up to 4. Let's say I assign 4 letters to a program, but only 3 make it in by around mid September. At this point, because I have met the minimum requirement, is my app complete provided all the other stuff is in?
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ERAS won't know that; it will be expecting 4 letters, but you can unassign a letter if it doesn't come through.
 
winged scapula, there is one opinion that program filters u out for not having completed there requirement of atleast 3 lors.
 
I want to apply today, but ERAS states that we cannot make changes to our CAF after hitting submit. Are additional letters not already listed on ERAS allowed after sending the application?
 
deuist said:
I want to apply today, but ERAS states that we cannot make changes to our CAF after hitting submit. Are additional letters not already listed on ERAS allowed after sending the application?
Click to expand...

Anyone find out the answer to this? A bunch of my letters won't be in for a few weeks.
 
SoCuteMD said:
Anyone find out the answer to this? A bunch of my letters won't be in for a few weeks.
Click to expand...

What's worse is that I need to find letter writers this month. I don't even have the names of any emergency physicians listed in ERAS. Damn EM and its late rotations!
 
RX 135 said:
winged scapula, there is one opinion that program filters u out for not having completed there requirement of atleast 3 lors.
Click to expand...

Even if they do, as addressed by aProgDirector in another thread, if your status on any screened/filtered variable changes during the application cycle, your app will come up for the program to review.

Thus when you have all the letters required uploaded, your file will appear as if you just applied with all the letters and will be reviewed at that time, so I see no difference between not applying and applying late if the program filters. Either way, they are not seeing your application until all the letters are in. If you apply late, programs that do NOT filter, won't see and review your application, hence my recommendation.
 
So I'm trying to make sure I understand the appropriate thing to do. I currently have 1 letter finalized. I have applied that letter to all programs. Do I just submit, and apply as though I have only one letter? When the other letters come up, do I just apply them to the programs each time? This is a little bit confusing. I obviously don't want to look as though I can't read directions and apply with too few letters. Is there anyway to designate that more letters are coming?
 
thank u winged scapula,
 
deuist said:
I want to apply today, but ERAS states that we cannot make changes to our CAF after hitting submit. Are additional letters not already listed on ERAS allowed after sending the application?
Click to expand...

I am pretty sure that LOR's are separate from the CAF. You can submit your CAF, then add additional LOR's at a later date.
 
If i have a 4th letter expected in a couple of weeks, do I have to designate that before I submit ERAS to programs? Or can I add the 4th letter regardless of what I put right now (only my 3 LORs and thats it)? Thanks
 
im in a similar boat. 3 folks have already agreed to write letters for me. So I have finalized and assigned those 3 letters already.

However, In a week I am going to ask a 4th person for a letter. Can I finalize te fourth letter now, apply to programs, and then assign the letter in a week?
 
Last edited:
swimerpaco said:
I am pretty sure that LOR's are separate from the CAF. You can submit your CAF, then add additional LOR's at a later date.
Click to expand...

That's correct. I just submitted my app and saw that I can make changes to the personal statement and LOR's. The CV itself cannot be changed.
 
do 4th letters help for prelim/TY programs?

this is probably discussed elsewhere, so pardon my ignorance... but i've been told by others than if programs say they want 3, then it is sometimes disadvantageous to send any more than that (i.e. a 4th).

i have 4 letters ready to go.. but because of this possibility, i scratched one (my research letter) and sent 3 only.
 
echinoderm said:
do 4th letters help for prelim/TY programs?

this is probably discussed elsewhere, so pardon my ignorance... but i've been told by others than if programs say they want 3, then it is sometimes disadvantageous to send any more than that (i.e. a 4th).

i have 4 letters ready to go.. but because of this possibility, i scratched one (my research letter) and sent 3 only.
Click to expand...

Yeah, this was discussed in a few threads, and there are differing views. My take - If the program says ONLY 3, then don't send a 4th. If it doesn't limit, and the fourth adds something to your app (and this is not always the case), then sure. The scenarios I can think of where a 4th might make sense are if you want to submit three letters but may want to add in one relating to your sub-I later in the cycle if it's really strong, or if you feel it useful to give a mix of folks who really know you well and really big name people, or maybe something related to substantial research without cutting into one of your clinical recommendations.
 
If it makes anyone feel better, I sent out the same four LORs to all 14 of the programs I applied to last year. Most only required three. No one ever said a thing about it, I got interviews at 13 of those 14 programs, and I matched at my #1 spot.

I wouldn't worry about it!!

That being said, I never came across a program that specified only three letters. If it doesn't say "only," you're fine!
 
sorry for the repeat- but i couldn't find the exact answer to this. first let me vent
1)I understand this process is enormous and difficult- but there has to be a way to make this more streamlined and user-friendly. I am glad we made changes from snail mail, however.


Now the questions:
1-Can I submit my application without having any letters in?
I just got notified by 3 physicians that are willing to write me strong letters that should be in sept 20th or october 1st.

2- suppose one of my LOR writters had an emergency or got to busy and cant write me a letter and I have already FINALIZED his/her name. Then can I add another writer?
 
flumazenil said:
sorry for the repeat- but i couldn't find the exact answer to this. first let me vent
1)I understand this process is enormous and difficult- but there has to be a way to make this more streamlined and user-friendly. I am glad we made changes from snail mail, however.


Now the questions:
1-Can I submit my application without having any letters in?
I just got notified by 3 physicians that are willing to write me strong letters that should be in sept 20th or october 1st.

2- suppose one of my LOR writters had an emergency or got to busy and cant write me a letter and I have already FINALIZED his/her name. Then can I add another writer?
Click to expand...

The answer to both your questions is yes.
 
Miami_med said:
So I'm trying to make sure I understand the appropriate thing to do. I currently have 1 letter finalized. I have applied that letter to all programs. Do I just submit, and apply as though I have only one letter? When the other letters come up, do I just apply them to the programs each time? This is a little bit confusing. I obviously don't want to look as though I can't read directions and apply with too few letters. Is there anyway to designate that more letters are coming?
Click to expand...

I am confused on this as well. I have finalized two letter writers (but their letters won't be in for atleast a few weeks) and I will add a third letter after an away rotation. So is it okay to submit with two finalized letters assigned to all programs (but not received) and then add another letter later and assign it to all programs? Thanks in advance.

P.S. I don't really understand the whole finalization process. I know it allows ERAS to ask my dean's office for those letters, so I hope it's nothing more than that. It does seem strange for me to tell programs they'll be receiving letters that are finalized but yet in reality not even written.
 
1. I highly doubt, in IM for sure, that any program would reject you for sending 4 letters. Perhaps in surgery, they're kinda all nuts, if you haven't noticed.... 😱

2. I won't know about your finalized LOR's. I only see your LOR (and who the writer is) when the actual letter is downloaded. If you finalize someone and they never submit a letter, I can't tell at all. You can assign new letters at any time, even after you apply, without additional costs from ERAS.

3. You can definitely apply with no letters. Each program sets their filters to whatever level of completeness they want -- some may require all three letters in, some may look at your app with no letters. You can't hurt yourself this way -- if no letters are in and a program requires them for review, your application is simply hidden by the filter. As soon as your letters arrive, your app appears for review. You won't be rejected for lack of letters, until the end of the season (assuming you never actually complete the application).

4. You should denfitiely consider saving a 4th letter spot for a later SubI or other letter, even if you have 4 letters ready to go now. Should that magical subI letter never emerge, you can always attach your already obtained 4th letter in 2-3 months.
 
aProgDirector said:
1. I highly doubt, in IM for sure, that any program would reject you for sending 4 letters. Perhaps in surgery, they're kinda all nuts, if you haven't noticed.... 😱
Click to expand...

Hey!😡

We're just detailed oriented and know that variation from protocol can kill. No "cowboys" need apply with their darn 4 letters (when I asked for 3). 😉
 
aProgDirector said:
2. I won't know about your finalized LOR's. I only see your LOR (and who the writer is) when the actual letter is downloaded. If you finalize someone and they never submit a letter, I can't tell at all. You can assign new letters at any time, even after you apply, without additional costs from ERAS.
Click to expand...

OK, I suspect the answer to my question is "It doesn't matter, you're worrying about minor details", but I have to go ahead & ask anyway:

So, one of my letter writers has not gotten back to me about what his "title" is. I'm thinking about just writing "Family Medicine" in the title/dept slot & leaving it at that. (That way I can go ahead & "finalize" that letter & get the cover sheet to him...)

I'm assuming the letter writer will include all of his titles/qualifications type stuff with his signature. So does it really matter if it's all listed in that field in ERAS? (I mean, the programs will see it when they read the letter, right?)

Thanks in advance!
 
Still Kickin said:
OK, I suspect the answer to my question is "It doesn't matter, you're worrying about minor details", but I have to go ahead & ask anyway:

So, one of my letter writers has not gotten back to me about what his "title" is. I'm thinking about just writing "Family Medicine" in the title/dept slot & leaving it at that. (That way I can go ahead & "finalize" that letter & get the cover sheet to him...)

I'm assuming the letter writer will include all of his titles/qualifications type stuff with his signature. So does it really matter if it's all listed in that field in ERAS? (I mean, the programs will see it when they read the letter, right?)

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter, you're worrying about minor details.
 
aProgDirector said:
It doesn't matter, you're worrying about minor details.
Click to expand...

🙂 Thanks
(See? I tried to make replying quick & easy - this way all you had to do was cut & paste.) 😉

Thanks again.
 
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