Additional LOR/update letters

[timeywimeystuff]

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Hey guys,
I am currently finding myself in application limbo as I am on a few waitlists and on post-interview holds. Generally I know that updates would be useful in this situation; however, I have spent the last year working full-time and thus don't really have any new activities to add. In this case, would a new LOR from my boss in combination with a letter of interest be appropriate? I don't want to seem too pushy but I am sweating bullets here.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey guys,
I am currently finding myself in application limbo as I am on a few waitlists and on post-interview holds. Generally I know that updates would be useful in this situation; however, I have spent the last year working full-time and thus don't really have any new activities to add. In this case, would a new LOR from my boss in combination with a letter of interest be appropriate? I don't want to seem too pushy but I am sweating bullets here.

I can't recommend it. Nobody believes LOI's, especially from those holding no acceptances, I'm afraid.

 

[3108]

I can't recommend it. Nobody believes LOI's, especially from those holding no acceptances, I'm afraid.

Hey @gyngyn, how would a LOI from an applicant with several acceptances be seen differently? I just sent a second LOI/update to my dream school and top choice, mentioning that while I do have other acceptances to great schools, I would still choose my dream school over anything. The update wasn't huge, but I thought it was substantial...accepted first author abstract/poster and very strong LOR from my current PI.

 

[gyngyn]

Hey @gyngyn, how would a LOI from an applicant with several acceptances be seen differently? I just sent a second LOI/update to my dream school and top choice, mentioning that while I do have other acceptances to great schools, I would still choose my dream school over anything. The update wasn't huge, but I thought it was substantial...accepted first author abstract/poster and very strong LOR from my current PI.

If the "dream" school has an unranked waitlist and has begun taking waitlist candidiates and you are holding at what might be considered a better (or cheaper) school, an LOI would potentially be useful.

 

[RedPhys]

If the "dream" school has an unranked waitlist and has begun taking waitlist candidiates and you are holding at what might be considered a better (or cheaper) school, an LOI would potentially be useful.

Is it looked down upon to so blatantly, as it seems that @webinbin is doing, mention that we have acceptances at other places?

I thought in other threads, it was discouraged.

 

[bobow98]

If you get someone who has sway with the school and has a reputation to uphold to vouch for you, and you put in an intent letter, that might mean something decent.

 

[baxt1412]

If you get someone who has sway with the school and has a reputation to uphold to vouch for you, and you put in an intent letter, that might mean something decent.

this, otherwise I feel like you're just going to sound like every other pre-med applicant

 

[intangible]

If you get someone who has sway with the school and has a reputation to uphold to vouch for you, and you put in an intent letter, that might mean something decent.

If it is well known that you are affiliated with someone who has sway with the school, wouldn't your application get some implicit special consideration, anyway?

 

[bobow98]

If it is well known that you are affiliated with someone who has sway with the school, wouldn't your application get some implicit special consideration, anyway?

Did anyone say otherwise?

 

[intangible]

Did anyone say otherwise?

I'll try to be more clear.

If you are receiving special consideration, why would an LOI help you? If you're making friends with people who could actually affect the admissions process (which is in and of itself very, very rare), an LOI isn't really going to change anything here.

 

[bobow98]

I'll try to be more clear.

If you are receiving special consideration, why would an LOI help you? If you're making friends with people who could actually affect the admissions process (which is in and of itself very, very rare), an LOI isn't really going to change anything here.

Are you applying to law school or med school? I just came to answer the question.

 

[intangible]

Are you applying to law school or med school? I just came to answer the question.

I'm not being hostile; if I'm coming off that way, I apologize.

I'm just genuinely confused as to why you would consider it beneficial.

Your sarcasm is unnecessary and unhelpful.

 

[bobow98]

Let's put it this way. If your dad's best friend sticks his neck out for you, a marginal applicant with 0 acceptances, so that you have a fighting chance to get in, would you risk using him, not going, making him look like a tool, and burning that bridge forever? How about the next guy/gal that comes along asking for help? Think he'll stick his neck out again? Or that the school will take him seriously? Reputation is everything.

No offense taken. I'm curt on the internet.

 

[intangible]

Let's put it this way. If your dad's best friend sticks his neck out for you, a marginal applicant with 0 acceptances, so that you have a fighting chance to get in, would you risk using him, not going, making him look like a tool, and burning that bridge forever? How about the next guy/gal that comes along asking for help? Think he'll stick his neck out again? Or that the school will take him seriously? Reputation is everything.

Which would make sense if OP were holding acceptances elsewhere. And if OP indeed were holding acceptances elsewhere, then it logically follows that OP wouldn't really need dad's best friend to vouch for him or her.

Unless this is a top 5, or something.

 

[bobow98]

Which would make sense if OP were holding acceptances elsewhere. And if OP indeed were holding acceptances elsewhere, then it logically follows that OP wouldn't really need dad's best friend to vouch for him or her.

Unless this is a top 5, or something.

Admissions is a funny process. One can never guarantee how things will go. People like to feel wanted generally. Which again brings us to OP - interest means nothing. You have 1 letter of intent. If you're dying to go somewhere, let them know, and list the reasons why. All other letters mean nothing. Intent will help you if they decide on you vs someone with a similar profile.

 

[intangible]

Admissions is a funny process. One can never guarantee how things will go. People like to feel wanted generally. Which again brings us to OP - interest means nothing. You have 1 letter of intent. If you're dying to go somewhere, let them know, and list the reasons why. All other letters mean nothing. Intent will help you if they decide on you vs someone with a similar profile.

I'm following you here. But in our hypothetical, OP is a marginal student who wouldn't have been given the time of day without the help of OP's dad's best friend. An LOI wouldn't matter, because the school isn't going to accept a marginal student.

In other words, there will likely never be a moment where a school is splitting hairs between you and another applicant in the way you're describing...unless there are two marginal students with two people holding equivalent stances at the school, duking it out for one seat.

...and even in that case, they'd probably just improvise another seat to appease them.

 

[timeywimeystuff]

None of these are top 5 schools. I am holding 0 acceptances so far. I have no family or friend connections to any of these schools. I guess my original question was a bit unclear. I am mostly wondering if a LOR from my boss would be able to act as an update since I don't particularly have any NEW experiences. My boss is well known and likely has some connections with the admissions committee, but that is not my intent. I would just like to show that I'm working hard, learning, and gaining experience during my year off.

 

[bobow98]

None of these are top 5 schools. I am holding 0 acceptances so far. I have no family or friend connections to any of these schools. I guess my original question was a bit unclear. I am mostly wondering if a LOR from my boss would be able to act as an update since I don't particularly have any NEW experiences. My boss is well known and likely has some connections with the admissions committee, but that is not my intent. I would just like to show that I'm working hard, learning, and gaining experience during my year off.

IF there is a connection, seriously USE IT.
No one will judge you. You need it now.

 

[BillrothI]

None of these are top 5 schools. I am holding 0 acceptances so far. I have no family or friend connections to any of these schools. I guess my original question was a bit unclear. I am mostly wondering if a LOR from my boss would be able to act as an update since I don't particularly have any NEW experiences. My boss is well known and likely has some connections with the admissions committee, but that is not my intent. I would just like to show that I'm working hard, learning, and gaining experience during my year off.

It probably won't do you any good. If the boss has connections with the admissions committee, then you can ask him/her to give them a ring and put in a good word for you. However, from what I understand, a new LOR is not going to make you stand out at this point in the cycle.

-Bill

 

[gyngyn]

Is it looked down upon to so blatantly, as it seems that @webinbin is doing, mention that we have acceptances at other places?

I thought in other threads, it was discouraged.

There is no need to mention the other acceptances. By the time the dream school gets to the waitlist we can see where the waitlist candidates have been accepted.