Another of those LOR questions thread...

[Dr. Chiquita]

Hello,

I recently came to a revelation that I am better suited for MD/PhD than MD-only. So I am quite new at this MD/PhD application process. I have been reading up on the extra application stuff that I need for MD/PhD. My problem is the LORs. The schools that I looked up like Cornell, NYU, Penn, and etc. seem to require additional LORs from research supervisors. The problem is that my school has a premed committee and they send out a packet of letters to each school that I apply. And my research supervisor's letter will be included in this packet.

So let's say that I am applying to Cornell MD/PhD, I sent out MD secondary and predmed committee packet. When MD/PhD program gives me their secondary with two LOR forms, can I just send them my premed committee packet even though I would have already sent it to the MD admissions office? OR do I have to get two more LORs from people other than the ones included in my packet?

Sorry for this long ramble. I am really really new at this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-JHS

 

[GlcNac]

I had this same question when I applied. I just ignored all of the school-specific forms and sent the committee packet to each school. (I usually sent two copies -- one for the MD committee and one for the MD/PhD committee -- unless specifically instructed otherwise). Everything worked out fine, and I was never required to complete the school-specific recommendation forms. I think programs generally realize that many PIs are too busy to fill out 20 of those things, and they are understanding if you are unable to include them with your application.

 

[Dr. Chiquita]

Thanks for the info! Wow, that is going to make my life alot easier.

 

[Andrew_Doan]

If your PI's letter is in the committee packet, then you should be fine. I'd verify with the MSTP/MD-PhD office at the schools you're applying.

 

[Neuronix]

I remember when I applied that certain programs INSISTED that I get their stupid forms filled out. I had to go through alot of extra trouble to track down and chase after old-PIs to do this for me. Those programs that required this crap proceeded to reject me, while others I knew who didn't get the forms were getting acceptances.

Moral of this story: don't worry about their forms.

 

[Dr. Chiquita]

Thanks guys for answering my question. That just would have been a complete pain in the a$$.

 

[MumbleJumble]

A lot of the programs are getting better coordinated with the medical schools. I think of the 9 schools I applied to, 6 of them only had me send packets to the MD/PhD program, which then forwarded the info to the med schools. For the other 3, I had to send one packet to the med school and a separate packet to the MSTP. This makes things much easier. The only thing to watch out for is making sure that your premed committee sends out all of your packets. I had issues with this because mine didn't know that schools like Vandy wanted the letters before giving interviews for MSTP applicants (unlike the MD program).
-steve