* * 2010 - 2011 * * Letter of Recommendation Thread

[drctother]

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Soo just out of curiosity, do you guys actually know ALL your references well, as in on a personal level? Or are you basing some of your academic references (ie Science profs) on academics and saying "he or she is a nice person, did well in my class and had a hard work ethic"??

Also, for those of you who have applied already, or already in..... did you just simply ask each reference "would you mind sending it to these 10 schools?" (assuming u applied to many)

Thanks!!

 

[seap3]

For those of you using Interfolio, are you making sure your letter writers sign their letters and/or use letterhead?

Is this important to most DO schools? I've had one already uploaded, but not signed. I don't remember reading anything about the importance of this at any of the schools I plan on applying to, but now I'm worried. My schools are DMU-COM, NSU-COM, AZCOM, CCOM, LMU-DCOM, and Touro - NV.

 

[ipod01]

Hi, do you guys know if i need to have all my rec letters in before i submit my primary or I can get my rec letters even after I submit my primary?? I have heard that you only need the rec letters before you submit your secondaries, so you can submit the primary early. Is that true?? This is for the AMCAS application.
I am asking because it would give my letter writers a good amount of time to write it. Thanks.

 

[seap3]

Hi, do you guys know if i need to have all my rec letters in before i submit my primary or I can get my rec letters even after I submit my primary?? I have heard that you only need the rec letters before you submit your secondaries, so you can submit the primary early. Is that true?? This is for the AMCAS application.
I am asking because it would give my letter writers a good amount of time to write it. Thanks.

Perhaps you should ask this in the pre-allo forum.

 

[soxfan247]

I know most (or all?) D.O. schools require a letter of rec either from an MD/DO. Does this letter have to be from a shadowing interaction? I'm currently working in a research lab and my PI is an MD though she's not seeing patients anymore. I checked a couple of school's websites but they do not specify. Thanks.

 

[rawman]

For schools that require a D.O.-specific letter, no, you don't necessarily have to shadow one nor does your letter have to state that you did. However, it should communicate that you understand what osteopathic medicine is, what you're getting yourself into, and that you'd be a good match for it.

I lucked out and found a D.O. willing to write me a positive letter by cold-calling local medical offices. Because I had previous experience working/meeting D.O.s, I was able to convince her that I knew what I was getting myself into and she ended up writing me a pretty good letter. I ended up getting a couple of acceptances to my top choices just fine (considering the rest of my app was solid).

So if you can't find a shadowing position but can find a D.O. that is willing to write you a positive letter, I wouldn't stress out about it too much.

 

[sigle]

Okay, so I just signed up for Interfolio LOR service. Under affiliation with : it has written "School Not Listed." Should I be worried about this and call up interfolio to see if they could put my school's name. I dont know why it put that considering I typed out my UG.

Also, I put my Amcas ID should I also enter my SSN? Or is that not necessary?

Thanks!

 

[sigle]

Hi, do you guys know if i need to have all my rec letters in before i submit my primary or I can get my rec letters even after I submit my primary?? I have heard that you only need the rec letters before you submit your secondaries, so you can submit the primary early. Is that true?? This is for the AMCAS application.
I am asking because it would give my letter writers a good amount of time to write it. Thanks.

Yep you can definitely submit your primary before your LOR's are in. Thats what I plan on doing! Supposedly schools will get around to the Primaries around June 24th so any time around then would be a good time to freakin out! Haha hope that helped.

 

[footNankle]

So I've seen a lot of information on here regarding letters of recommendation and how many people think should be obtained. From what I've seen though, there isn't one general consensus on how many letters one should get. Do you guys think this is enough?:

2 from physicians (one being a DO)
2 from science professors

Is this too much, too little, right on...?

 

[seap3]

So I've seen a lot of information on here regarding letters of recommendation and how many people think should be obtained. From what I've seen though, there isn't one general consensus on how many letters one should get. Do you guys think this is enough?:

2 from physicians (one being a DO)
2 from science professors

Is this too much, too little, right on...?

It depends on the school. It seems most schools want 1 physician (some will only take DO, some either) plus either 1 committee letter or 2-3 from science profs if no committee at your school. Some such as Nova want a liberal arts letter. PCOM wants a deans letter if there is no committee.

I'm just collecting 4 from science profs, 1 from a liberal arts, and 1 DO. We don't have a committee.

 

[Assmosis]

I have looked at various osteopathic schools and almost all strongly recommend a LOR from a DO, a majority who want one that is specifically from the AOA. I was wondering if an applicant that does not have such a letter if they would look unfavorably upon this application. AND I have recently have shadowed a DO who is my neurologist for one day. She is a member of the AOA and I was wondering if it would be too forward to ask her for a LOR if I've only shadowed her once. I wanted to shadow more times, but for the sake of the confidentiality of the patients I could not. I would appreciate any opinions, thanks!

 

[rawman]

I have looked at various osteopathic schools and almost all strongly recommend a LOR from a DO, a majority who want one that is specifically from the AOA. I was wondering if an applicant that does not have such a letter if they would look unfavorably upon this application. AND I have recently have shadowed a DO who is my neurologist for one day. She is a member of the AOA and I was wondering if it would be too forward to ask her for a LOR if I've only shadowed her once. I wanted to shadow more times, but for the sake of the confidentiality of the patients I could not. I would appreciate any opinions, thanks!

You should be fine. I recall the DO I got my letter from was not a member of the AOA. However, if the schools you're interested in specifically state they want someone from the AOA, it would be to your benefit to have a letter from someone that's a member. As for your neurologist, I would definitely ask her. Be honest and humble, and see if she is willing to write you a strong letter. She should tell you whether or not she can. If she can't, it's probably best to move on and find someone else.

 

[turkaglew]

I am applying to DO schools and I know I should get a DO LOR. I am going to shadow a DO within the next couple weeks, and ask for a LOR. This might end up setting me back to mid/late July in order to allow time for it to be written and sent to aacoms. is this going to be a big deal, or should I just submit without the letter and get it later?

 

[sshashid87]

So, it seems every school website I read mentions having your AMCAS/AACOMAS/TMDSAS ID on the LOR. I really don't want to ask my professors to load their letters three times to Interfolio, with only the ID number changed. I am sure they would be happy to do it, but that seems like unnecessary work for them, would it be possible to have them write all 3 application service IDs in the header? Or would that look bad that I'm applying to all 3 services (I know this shouldn't matter to schools, but I don't want DO schools specifically to perceive this as a lack of desire for osteopathic medicine or something ridiculous like that...)

Thanks for any help!

 

[Mzeep]

I am applying to DO schools and I know I should get a DO LOR. I am going to shadow a DO within the next couple weeks, and ask for a LOR. This might end up setting me back to mid/late July in order to allow time for it to be written and sent to aacoms. is this going to be a big deal, or should I just submit without the letter and get it later?

Do you mean submitting your primary app? If so, I would get that in right away. You need your LORs for the secondaries, not primaries, and if you get around mid/late July I don't think that it would be setting you back at all.

 

[TrimtheChute]

Interfolio allows you to assign your AMCAS and AACOMAS ID's when you send off your letters to AMCAS and the DO schools. You can have both IDs in Interfolio and select the appropriate one when you send your letters out of Interfolio. Your letter writers just need to include your Interfolio ID with their letter so Interfolio has it correct, and you should be able to manage the rest in Interfolio without involving your letter writers.

When Interfolio sends out your letters, they will include the ID's (AMCAS/AACOMAS) that you select with the letters.

 

[sshashid87]

Awesome, thanks so much...I haven't set up my Interfolio account yet, hadn't realized you could do that, that makes it much easier...I will just tell my LOR writers to put my university ID on there...

thanks again, much appreciated!

 

[TrimtheChute]

Just to be clear, you should set up your Interfolio account first. For each letter you create in Interfolio, Interfolio will assign a document ID number that your letter writer will need to include when sending in your letter. You can either e-mail or print a pdf of the Interfolio instructions/ID to give to your letter writer. What is nice is that your letter writer can submit their letters electronically to Interfolio if they prefer or snail mail them.

 

[sshashid87]

Oh yeah, I will...I just talked to my LOR writers first, and they all just told me to send them an email whenever they should submit, so that'll be okay...thanks again!

 

[futuredoc4432]

Do we need to use these to submit our letters? I have read that interfolio is a good one, are there others? How exactly does this work - the doctors will submit it online and then through the service it gets sent to schools? Seems like a waste of money to me is there another way to do this? Thanks!

 

[taylormade2006]

Since AACOMAS does not have a letter delivery service like AMCAS, your letter writer would have to literally mail a letter to every one of the DO schools you apply to.

Interfolio works by two means. The letter writer can either upload a letter to interfolio, or mail it to them. They will then scan it and upload it and you can distribute it anywhere you want.

Although Interfolio will cost you more money, it'll save your letter writers a lot of hassle. It's ultimately up to you.

 

[Longshanks]

Alternatively, you may be able to utilize your pre-med advising office or a career center at your university. You can have your letter writers send their letters to them, and they will keep a portfolio for you, which they will mail out to whichever schools you tell them. Usually you have to give them addressed and stamped envelopes, which is a rather minimal fee.

If you're out of school or non-trad, then interfolio is definitely the way to go to make the process quick and easy - and to ensure that your letters arrive at the schools.

 

[KTownGT]

Since AACOMAS does not have a letter delivery service like AMCAS, your letter writer would have to literally mail a letter to every one of the DO schools you apply to.

Interfolio works by two means. The letter writer can either upload a letter to interfolio, or mail it to them. They will then scan it and upload it and you can distribute it anywhere you want.

Although Interfolio will cost you more money, it'll save your letter writers a lot of hassle. It's ultimately up to you.

Are you not allowed to simply copy the letter yourself and then mail out the LOR's to respective schools? 😕

 

[taylormade2006]

The letters are supposed to be confidential. If you copy it yourself, it wouldn't be confidential.

 

[islanders11040]

Hi i have a pretty simple question. Would the DO LOR be okay if it from a D.O graduate who is in their residency. I mean they are D.O's. Thanks. Sorry if i posted this in the wrong section or thread.😳

 

[KTownGT]

Hi i have a pretty simple question. Would the DO LOR be okay if it from a D.O graduate who is in their residency. I mean they are D.O's. Thanks. Sorry if i posted this in the wrong section or thread.😳

I would look into getting one from a DO who's been practicing for a little while.

Same when you get a LOR from a professor. It needs to be a PhD who is a paid prof, not a TA finishing his PhD.

Ferrrrrk

 

[DbDan]

I would look into getting one from a DO who's been practicing for a little while.

Same when you get a LOR from a professor. It needs to be a PhD who is a paid prof, not a TA finishing his PhD.

Ferrrrrk

I disagree with the comparison. Getting a letter from a DO in residency is more like getting a LOR from a PhD who is a Post-doc. When the resident signs the letter it will still be Dr. XXX, DO.

While I'd agree I think it would be beneficial to have a LOR from a DO in a more established position, I don't think it would kill your application to have a very strong letter from a DO in residency, provided he didn't graduate last year or something.

 

[radiodoc99]

As you mentioned. It's "okay" but getting a letter from a physician who is practicing is best. Also, if you are applying to a med school and you can get a letter from a DO near the school who is practicing, that's good. DOs who interview you may know the DO who wrote your letter to add more points on your interview day score. Good luck.

 

[MLT2MT2DO]

Will the schools have any clue the guy is in his residency? If not I can't see why it would make a difference at all.

 

[taylormade2006]

In the CIB, a lot of the schools recommend getting the physician letter from a doctor who can describe your experiences interacting with patients (i.e. someone you shadowed). If the resident can comment on that, then I don't see why he/she wouldn't meet the qualifications for the letter.

If the intent of the letter is to say "this candidate would be a great addition to our profession", then the resident may not have enough experience to make that sort of recommendation.

 

[scpod]

....DOs who interview you may know the DO who wrote your letter to add more points on your interview day score....

I don't think you'll get more "points" on an interview because it's someone the interviewer knows. In fact, most interviewers will never even see your LORs or even know who wrote them. The DO letter is mainly a formality. For those schools who absolutely require one, you just need to have one so that they can check that requirement off of your list. A DO letter will never be the thing that gets you a spot in school. It can, however, be the thing that keeps you out of one.

 

[KTownGT]

As you mentioned. It's "okay" but getting a letter from a physician who is practicing is best. Also, if you are applying to a med school and you can get a letter from a DO near the school who is practicing, that's good. DOs who interview you may know the DO who wrote your letter to add more points on your interview day score. Good luck.

I was thinking about this the other day. The three DO's I'm shadowing are, or were very recently professors at local medical schools...

Anybody know how effective those brownie points would be?

 

[tbone1234]

Hi guys!

I'm in quite a dilemma so I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice.

I'm about to apply to DO schools, and I have what I feel is a strong prehealth committee letter, but I have not shadowed or volunteered for a DO so I have no DO or MD LOR. I know most (if not all) DO schools require this...

My question is... can I turn in my DO LOR at a later date? Should I send in my committee letter LOR with my primary and a DO LOR with my secondary? Can I submit my DO LOR after secondaries??

Basically... when is the latest date I can submit this DO LOR? And what is a recommended date for completing DO school secondaries?

Thanks for all your help!!!

 

[The Poet Sings]

Hi guys!

I'm in quite a dilemma so I'm hoping some of you can give me some advice.

I'm about to apply to DO schools, and I have what I feel is a strong prehealth committee letter, but I have not shadowed or volunteered for a DO so I have no DO or MD LOR. I know most (if not all) DO schools require this...

My question is... can I turn in my DO LOR at a later date? Should I send in my committee letter LOR with my primary and a DO LOR with my secondary? Can I submit my DO LOR after secondaries??

Basically... when is the latest date I can submit this DO LOR? And what is a recommended date for completing DO school secondaries?

Thanks for all your help!!!

unless something has changed (or i've forgotten the whole process), all letters go out with secondaries, and you won't be considered complete until the school gets it. but i vaguely remember some school interviewing candidates before getting their DO letter (or some other required thing), but not granting them a decision until after it was received.

if you're waiting on a DO letter to submit to aacomas, just submit and work on getting the letter in the meantime. search around and find secondary prompts on here so you can submit them as soon as you receive them.

 

[tbone1234]

thanks for the reply!!

When would it be considered early to submit secondaries? I know as soon as possible is always the best, but I need time to find a good DO to volunteer for, and a few weeks for him/her to get to know me enough for a strong positive rec. letter.

Are WVSOM and TCOM the only DO schools that don't require a DO physician letter?

 

[The Poet Sings]

thanks for the reply!!

When would it be considered early to submit secondaries? I know as soon as possible is always the best, but I need time to find a good DO to volunteer for, and a few weeks for him/her to get to know me enough for a strong positive rec. letter.

Are WVSOM and TCOM the only DO schools that don't require a DO physician letter?

"early" would be any time before they ask you to do so 😉. as far as what each school requires, check the cib for that if you haven't already done so. http://www.aacom.org/resources/bookstore/cib/Documents/2011cib/2011cib-whole.pdf

 

[ladydoc2010]

For everyone who is concerned about the LOR requirements, make sure you contact the school. I have been out of school for a while and have problems getting some of the professor letters. EVERY school I contacted allowed me to substitue, even PCOM who originally said no then emailed back saying they had a discussion on my situation and changed their minds.

All you have to do is ask, the worst they can say is no. Not applying because you didn't ask is silly.

 

[DrDre2001]

It depends on the school. It seems most schools want 1 physician (some will only take DO, some either) plus either 1 committee letter or 2-3 from science profs if no committee at your school. Some such as Nova want a liberal arts letter. PCOM wants a deans letter if there is no committee.

I'm just collecting 4 from science profs, 1 from a liberal arts, and 1 DO. We don't have a committee.

So, if you do have a committee letter, then that letter will suffice for PCOM? I do have a committee letter, but do not have Dean's letter...and have never even spoken to my Dean or know who he/she is, so I am hoping the committee letter would work for PCOM.

If anyone knows, please let me know.

Edit: Nevermind, I got the information I needed from the CIB. For anyone wondering, PCOM wants either a committee letter OR Dean's Letter. They don't need both.

 

[gatewasani]

I have a LOR from one of my math professors: Can I use this as once of my science Letters?

I took a lot of math classes (could've majored in it)

 

[CookDeRosa]

I'm not taking the MCAT until end of spring semester, but in the meantime, I'm planning on doing some shadows. I'm doing one shadow now (not a doctor- a NP just to be sure I really don't want to go that route) but I have 2 DOs who have invited me whenever I'd like, and my NP is setting me up with an MD too. So, before summer's end, I'll have 4 experiences completed.

I don't want to miss an opportunity to get LORs, but I want to keep them very generic. I don't know which schools I'll be applying to (all of them? LOL) but my plan is to apply next summer. So, there are a lot of variables still ahead of me.

Does anyone have advice on how to ask for letters that I can hold onto for the future? Do schools generally accept paper letters or are there electronic forms to use? Have any of you had letters that were usable for multiple applications? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[DrDre2001]

I'm not taking the MCAT until end of spring semester, but in the meantime, I'm planning on doing some shadows. I'm doing one shadow now (not a doctor- a NP just to be sure I really don't want to go that route) but I have 2 DOs who have invited me whenever I'd like, and my NP is setting me up with an MD too. So, before summer's end, I'll have 4 experiences completed.

I don't want to miss an opportunity to get LORs, but I want to keep them very generic. I don't know which schools I'll be applying to (all of them? LOL) but my plan is to apply next summer. So, there are a lot of variables still ahead of me.

Does anyone have advice on how to ask for letters that I can hold onto for the future? Do schools generally accept paper letters or are there electronic forms to use? Have any of you had letters that were usable for multiple applications? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

The doctor I shadowed knew that I was there for a letter of recommendation. On the first day, he told me to come back 4 or 5 times so that he could get to know me well enough for to write me a letter of rec.

I'm sure that most people who shadow them ask them for a letter of rec on their last few days shadowing. So, I'm sure it won't be any surprise when you ask him for an LOR and he'll say yes with no hesitation.

 

[The Poet Sings]

I'm not taking the MCAT until end of spring semester, but in the meantime, I'm planning on doing some shadows. I'm doing one shadow now (not a doctor- a NP just to be sure I really don't want to go that route) but I have 2 DOs who have invited me whenever I'd like, and my NP is setting me up with an MD too. So, before summer's end, I'll have 4 experiences completed.

I don't want to miss an opportunity to get LORs, but I want to keep them very generic. I don't know which schools I'll be applying to (all of them? LOL) but my plan is to apply next summer. So, there are a lot of variables still ahead of me.

Does anyone have advice on how to ask for letters that I can hold onto for the future? Do schools generally accept paper letters or are there electronic forms to use? Have any of you had letters that were usable for multiple applications? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

i'd assume that the letter from the ND won't help you at an MD or DO school. so they can write whatever they want if you choose to apply to ND school. make sure the DOs don't specifically mention "osteopathic medicine". i had my letter writers send their letters to interfolio, which can send it electronically to the schools that accept it that way, and by snail mail to the others. some schools have specific forms, so check if those are required or "required" (as in they say it's required but they'll let it slide).

 

[aidama]

i'd assume that the letter from the ND won't help you at an MD or DO school. so they can write whatever they want if you choose to apply to ND school. make sure the DOs don't specifically mention "osteopathic medicine". i had my letter writers send their letters to interfolio, which can send it electronically to the schools that accept it that way, and by snail mail to the others. some schools have specific forms, so check if those are required or "required" (as in they say it's required but they'll let it slide).

This is important especially if you are applying to MD schools as well. Bolded for truth.

 

[CookDeRosa]

I'd assume that the letter from the ND won't help you at an MD or DO school. so they can write whatever they want if you choose to apply to ND school. make sure the DOs don't specifically mention "osteopathic medicine". i had my letter writers send their letters to interfolio, which can send it electronically to the schools that accept it that way, and by snail mail to the others. some schools have specific forms, so check if those are required or "required" (as in they say it's required but they'll let it slide).

>>


Thank you. I know for sure I'll only be applying to DO schools, so I don't mind them mentioning osteopathic medicine. Would there be another reason to avoid mentioning it?

If I use interfolio (which looks !) I'm aware that there is a form we give to the doc, and they email/snail mail it into interfolio. Does anyone know if they are viewable once uploaded at interfolio? If possible, I'd like to get as many as possible and choose the strongest ones...assuming I can read them ahead of time What about dates? Is it a big deal if the letters are >1 year old?

(NP= nurse practitioner, not sure what ND is?)

 

[hopeinternist]

Anyone have any suggestions for what would be an appropriate gift for writers? Especially for professors and DOs. Thanks!

 

[MightyMoose]

Anyone have any suggestions for what would be an appropriate gift for writers? Especially for professors and DOs. Thanks!

A thank you card?

 

[kdhmed]

Anyone have any suggestions for what would be an appropriate gift for writers? Especially for professors and DOs. Thanks!

Definitely thank you letters. But my physics prof helped out a lot w/ MCAT problems and wrote a great LOR I'm sure, so I got him a nice Duke Univ. tie. The optom I worked for was in love with his iPod so I got him a $15 iTunes giftcard, and then an MD that would buy me lunch all the time and let me shadow pretty much whenever I ended up buying a $20 giftcard to the movies. Gave all of these AFTER the letter was written and spent no more than $20.

 

[The Poet Sings]

>>


Thank you. I know for sure I'll only be applying to DO schools, so I don't mind them mentioning osteopathic medicine. Would there be another reason to avoid mentioning it?

If I use interfolio (which looks !) I'm aware that there is a form we give to the doc, and they email/snail mail it into interfolio. Does anyone know if they are viewable once uploaded at interfolio? If possible, I'd like to get as many as possible and choose the strongest ones...assuming I can read them ahead of time What about dates? Is it a big deal if the letters are >1 year old?

(NP= nurse practitioner, not sure what ND is?)

you're welcome. the only reason to avoid mentioning osteopathic is if you planned to apply to allopathic schools as well. if you're 100% sure, then they can mention it if you'd like.

what do you mean by "which looks !"?

now, you CAN ask for a letter that is NON-confidential, but schools want them to be confidential. so sorry, you're not allowed to read them. you have to make sure you select CONFIDENTIAL letter of recommendation for the letter to really hold any weight with admissions. judge the strength of the letter based on your relationship with the writer.

i don't know if letter age is a problem, but if you physically have it in a sealed envelope or something, maybe you can make sure the writer gets it back, rewrites it, and changes the date?

sorry, i thought i had seen ND. that's a naturopathic doctor. that's more in the realm of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

 

[CookDeRosa]

you're welcome. the only reason to avoid mentioning osteopathic is if you planned to apply to allopathic schools as well. if you're 100% sure, then they can mention it if you'd like.

what do you mean by "which looks !"?

now, you CAN ask for a letter that is NON-confidential, but schools want them to be confidential. so sorry, you're now allowed to read them. you have to make sure you select CONFIDENTIAL letter of recommendation for the letter to really hold any weight with admissions. judge the strength of the letter based on your relationship with the writer.

i don't know if letter age is a problem, but if you physically have it in a sealed envelope or something, maybe you can make sure the writer gets it back, rewrites it, and changes the date?

sorry, i thought i had seen ND. that's a naturopathic doctor. that's more in the realm of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

Ok, that all sounds fine. I didn't really understand the confidential/non-confidential designation, so that makes total sense now.
I had written re: interfolio "that looks awesome!" but "awesome" isn't showing.....odd.
Anyway, I really appreciate all of your suggestions. Thanks a bunch. 🙂

P.S. naturopathic, ok.

 

[The Poet Sings]

Ok, that all sounds fine. I didn't really understand the confidential/non-confidential designation, so that makes total sense now.
I had written re: interfolio "that looks awesome!" but "awesome" isn't showing.....odd.
Anyway, I really appreciate all of your suggestions. Thanks a bunch. 🙂

P.S. naturopathic, ok.

whoops i meant to say "not allowed to read them", not "now allowed to read them" haha.