Applying without a committee letter of recommendation?

[ravupadh]

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Hey all,

So I am in a bit of a mess here. I didn't get my MCAT score till August 9th (32R: 8 VR/10 PS/14 BS). It turns out that the health professions office at Rutgers University requires you to have everything submitted to them by July 31st, including the MCAT score, for them to write a committee letter of recommendation for you. However, it was impossible for me to submit everything since my scores weren't released until August 9th. I sent in everything Wednesday and I got an e-mail from the secretary saying that I can't have a committee letter because it's already past the deadline (A deadline I had no idea about since it's always been September 30th before this year). How badly will this hurt me? I have 5 total letters of recommendaton:

1 from my Organic Chemistry Professor
1 from a Bio Professor
1 from a History Profesor (Non-Science)
1 from my post doctoral research supervisor
1 from the physician I shadowed


I know the last 4 individuals have written me really strong letters, and maybe even the first one although she never really showed emotion towards anyone including me. This is really pissing me off and Rutgers has not failed to screw me once again. I don't understand how they expect people to meet the requirements by said deadline if you take the exam in July as I did, or maybe even later such as August and September.

And FYI, it's only one person that interviews you that writes the "committee" letter, and I don't know anyone at the HPO because they never give out good advice. Just ask any pre-med at Rutgers.

 

[macsta]

Adcoms will question why you don't have a committee letter (since your school offers one). It might be a turn off...

Maybe some else with more experience on committee letters can chime in.

 

[Don15]

A committee letter is not necessary. For schools that say they require a committee letter if available, they usually have a place on the secondary for the applicant to explain whey they are not sending a committee letter. Just simply explain that your office won't write you one because of the date you took your MCAT, make sure not to sound mad at your school while explaining lol. I'm sure the school you're applying to will understand. Most schools won't even ask you to explain, they are fine with individual letters.

 

[FutureDoctor503]

Hey all,

So I am in a bit of a mess here. I didn't get my MCAT score till August 9th (32R: 8 VR/10 PS/14 BS). It turns out that the health professions office at Rutgers University requires you to have everything submitted to them by July 31st, including the MCAT score, for them to write a committee letter of recommendation for you. However, it was impossible for me to submit everything since my scores weren't released until August 9th. I sent in everything Wednesday and I got an e-mail from the secretary saying that I can't have a committee letter because it's already past the deadline (A deadline I had no idea about since it's always been September 30th before this year). How badly will this hurt me? I have 5 total letters of recommendaton:

1 from my Organic Chemistry Professor
1 from a Bio Professor
1 from a History Profesor (Non-Science)
1 from my post doctoral research supervisor
1 from the physician I shadowed


I know the last 4 individuals have written me really strong letters, and maybe even the first one although she never really showed emotion towards anyone including me. This is really pissing me off and Rutgers has not failed to screw me once again. I don't understand how they expect people to meet the requirements by said deadline if you take the exam in July as I did, or maybe even later such as August and September.

And FYI, it's only one person that interviews you that writes the "committee" letter, and I don't know anyone at the HPO because they never give out good advice. Just ask any pre-med at Rutgers.

Are you referring to Rutgers-Newark or NB?

 

[ravupadh]

are you referring to rutgers-newark or nb?

nb

 

[FutureDoctor503]

At Rutgers-Newark, we don't have to meet such a deadline. It might make a difference if you stop by the pre-health office in person and make a request. Many schools that require a committee letter may reg flag your application without the letter.

 

[xadmin]

Just apply with the individual letter. You don't need a committee letter

Hey all,

So I am in a bit of a mess here. I didn't get my MCAT score till August 9th (32R: 8 VR/10 PS/14 BS). It turns out that the health professions office at Rutgers University requires you to have everything submitted to them by July 31st, including the MCAT score, for them to write a committee letter of recommendation for you. However, it was impossible for me to submit everything since my scores weren't released until August 9th. I sent in everything Wednesday and I got an e-mail from the secretary saying that I can't have a committee letter because it's already past the deadline (A deadline I had no idea about since it's always been September 30th before this year). How badly will this hurt me? I have 5 total letters of recommendaton:

1 from my Organic Chemistry Professor
1 from a Bio Professor
1 from a History Profesor (Non-Science)
1 from my post doctoral research supervisor
1 from the physician I shadowed


I know the last 4 individuals have written me really strong letters, and maybe even the first one although she never really showed emotion towards anyone including me. This is really pissing me off and Rutgers has not failed to screw me once again. I don't understand how they expect people to meet the requirements by said deadline if you take the exam in July as I did, or maybe even later such as August and September.

And FYI, it's only one person that interviews you that writes the "committee" letter, and I don't know anyone at the HPO because they never give out good advice. Just ask any pre-med at Rutgers.

 

[ravupadh]

Well I actually replied to the secretary's e-mail and am waiting for a response. I can't go in person until Monday. If she says no again is it really worth it to pursue this? I guess I could talk to one of the higher ups directly.

 

[xadmin]

Well I actually replied to the secretary's e-mail and am waiting for a response. I can't go in person until Monday. If she says no again is it really worth it to pursue this? I guess I could talk to one of the higher ups directly.

You don't a committee letter. Just use your individual letter. They are better anyway since they don't list class rank and adcom can't zero in on these without reading your letter.

 

[FutureDoctor503]

Well I actually replied to the secretary's e-mail and am waiting for a response. I can't go in person until Monday. If she says no again is it really worth it to pursue this? I guess I could talk to one of the higher ups directly.

If the pre-health advisor knows you pretty well, he/she might be willing to write you one. Hope you get the letter.

Good luck!!! 🙂

 

[kpcrew]

why would the deadline be september 30th when they need time to write letters and get them in?
why take such a late mcat?
there are plenty of test dates throughout the year you know. i don't understand why you think are being screwed when it seems like it was your own mistake.

you don't need a committee letter but some schools ask you to explain why you don't have one on their secondaries so you should be prepared for that.

 

[ravupadh]

why would the deadline be september 30th when they need time to write letters and get them in?
why take such a late mcat?
there are plenty of test dates throughout the year you know. i don't understand why you think are being screwed when it seems like it was your own mistake.

you don't need a committee letter but some schools ask you to explain why you don't have one on their secondaries so you should be prepared for that.

To the contrary, I've heard that July isn't late. Even the Health Professions Office says that August is when it's getting late. I took the exam when I was ready. I did not know I had to take the exam until April. I had three months to study and the closest date from when I first started studying was July 6th. It's as simple as that.

 

[aSagacious]

Here is how LizzyM explained the importance of a committee letter, and how it will not do you any favors to exclude it from your application:

First, the committee serves the same purpose as "Interfolio" in gathering your letters.

Second, the committee reviews your scores and transcripts and can compare your performance to the entire pool of applicants from your school.

Third, the committee reviews your essays and letters and interviews you. Now the committee has an good idea about your personality, motivation for medicine, and non-academic attributes as described on paper (will later be confirmed by interview).

Every school that does a committee letter has a template that is specific to that school. A few put the student's class rank in the letter or compare the gpa to the avg gpa of all students or of all pre-meds. A few state that the student has not had any institutuional action. Some describe the typical pre-med courses and may point out if the applicant took more demanding courses than the usual.

The interview helps the committee get to know you and describe you in the letter. A few schools include something about your family and upbringing such as your parents' occupations, other sibilings, formative activities before coming to college, and serious issues that may have influenced college performance (e.g. parent's divorce, roommate's death) . Many will describe your activities in your college years and heap praise on your efforts.

Finally, some schools will categorize you into one of 4 or 5 ranked categories and some go so far as to tell what proportion of each category were admitted to medical school the previous year (generally the top two ranks do very, very well) and even what proportion of the current year's applicants fit into each category (one school puts about 70% of the applicants in the top 2 categories).

The letter is very helpful and predictable. I know when I open a letter from Cornell, or Penn, or Duke exactly what I'm going to find and where it will be located on the page. It makes me very efficient. On the other hand, a student from a school that has a committee letter but who does not submit one has a strike against him/her in the subconscious of the adcom member assigned to review the application. Can't meet deadlines? Too unconventional to do what is expected of everyone? Has something to hide?

I hope this helps you understand the committee letter.

http://206.82.221.135/showpost.php?p=10489317&postcount=8

 

[Doc of the Walk]

Man aSagacious, for a second I thought you were going to close the thread

 

[Barcu]

Committee Letters are important, and it may be a strike against you if you don't have one if your school offers it.

Your best bet (if you need to explain it) is probably to say that you weren't ready to take the MCAT until July, and thus could not meet the deadline. That may sound bad to some adcoms, but it's better than rushing the MCAT so you might get away with it. Just stick to that and don't dwell too much on the issue.

DEFINITELY do not say anything about the confusing/missed deadline. That will hurt you guaranteed.

 

[ravupadh]

Committee Letters are important, and it may be a strike against you if you don't have one if your school offers it.

Your best bet (if you need to explain it) is probably to say that you weren't ready to take the MCAT until July, and thus could not meet the deadline. That may sound bad to some adcoms, but it's better than rushing the MCAT so you might get away with it. Just stick to that and don't dwell too much on the issue.

DEFINITELY do not say anything about the confusing/missed deadline. That will hurt you guaranteed.

Hmm thanks for the advice. Should I mention the missing letter only if it's asked on the secondary, or should I send an addendum to every school explaining the situation?

 

[Long Way to Go]

Wasn't Rutgers the school that wanted like $50 per school you were applying to?