applying later

[Questions]

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Hi!
I've decided to take 3-4 years off before applying to medical school. How did everyone manage with their rec letters? I have some from last year , but would the letters be too "old" ?
Thanks!

 

[DeAlighieri]

One of my LoRs was from a former military commander I had back when I was active duty. It was probably six years old when I submitted it (and was non-specific to med school, obviously) and it didn't seem to hurt my application at all. Although recent LoRs will obviously be necessary (and I certainly had those also), if you want to get a letter from current professors, I don't see a problem with it. Just bear in mind that with that amount of time off between undergrad and medical school, you'll need to be looking for letters from managers/supervisors of whatever you do in the meantime.

Good luck.

 

[Luxian]

Hi!
I've decided to take 3-4 years off before applying to medical school. How did everyone manage with their rec letters? I have some from last year , but would the letters be too "old" ?
Thanks!

I was five years out of grad school when I applied. I ended up only using one professor letter and two letters from supervisors. This did mean that I was cut out of some schools that absolutely required two science prof (LORs), but those schools were in the minority. Most allow you to submit your LORs and explain why they deviate from their suggested sources. I would suggest getting a prof to write at least one of the letters and then use a current letter from a supervisor or volunteer coordinator when you actually apply. And don't underestimate their ability to remember you! I actually got a prof to write me a letter five years after I had last seem him!