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Started by winspice333
Hey,
"nobody" requires a committee letter, and only about 50 MD say they prefer one. That leaves you with at least 100 who don't care either way, at least according to the MSAR data.
I'm sure there are some schools that will be sticklers about it, but it's not in the data.
blog.accepted.com
But you can search around on the forum some more, this is a common question.
FWIW I haven't even considered getting one, but maybe that is my own hubris with the strength of my other letters.
"nobody" requires a committee letter, and only about 50 MD say they prefer one. That leaves you with at least 100 who don't care either way, at least according to the MSAR data.
I'm sure there are some schools that will be sticklers about it, but it's not in the data.
Medical Schools That Prefer Committee Letters (and Which Don't!)
Before you worry about procuring a committee letter, check out our list of medical schools that prefer applicants to submit one.
But you can search around on the forum some more, this is a common question.
FWIW I haven't even considered getting one, but maybe that is my own hubris with the strength of my other letters.
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How much do you work and study for the MCAT?
Be honest about it. If you have a solid enough application, this won't impact you. The downside is that you have to do your work on letters now. Literally beginning now.
Be honest about it. If you have a solid enough application, this won't impact you. The downside is that you have to do your work on letters now. Literally beginning now.
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Are your letters from last cycle? If so, your year-old letters need to be refreshed. Ask the same people you did last year to write them again. This gives them the opportunity to write current information if they want to and change any time-revealing information. It could save a letter from obviously being written over a year ago (read: not current) and should not be a large imposition on the letter writers because the letters should already be written.I was originally planning on applying last cycle so I actually already have all my letters in the system and am set to go.
Mistakes happen. Try not to dwell and just control what you can from this point on.I'm really bummed out because the only thing I forgot to do was submit the official form to the premed team asking for a committee letter...which would have taken me literally 3 minutes
Just tell the truth
Hey! I’m not sure how much useful advice I can give you that wasn’t already covered by everyone in the thread.
I just wanted to let you know that I was in this exact (down to the timeline and everything) situation last year.
Pretty much none of the schools I applied to / interviewed at asked me why I was missing a committee letter. Besides one school (JHU?), I encountered no issues submitting individual letters. I’m finishing the cycle with 9 interviews and an acceptance at a great school as of now. Don’t beat yourself up like I did a few months ago! If your app is strong, you’ll do fine.
I just wanted to let you know that I was in this exact (down to the timeline and everything) situation last year.
Pretty much none of the schools I applied to / interviewed at asked me why I was missing a committee letter. Besides one school (JHU?), I encountered no issues submitting individual letters. I’m finishing the cycle with 9 interviews and an acceptance at a great school as of now. Don’t beat yourself up like I did a few months ago! If your app is strong, you’ll do fine.
Thank you everyone for your advice and thank you @grindcannotstop9 for sharing your experience! that is definitely reassuring!! hoping things work out for me as well 

Same situation. In my entire application process, I think one school asked about it in a secondary and it was never mentioned in interviews. Just submit good individual letters.
You are fine. Get the letter packet.