Choosing not to assign any uploaded LoRs on Sept 1

[aceshighk]

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Hey yall,

I know questions similar to this have already been asked, so I apologize ahead of time....

I have 2/5 LORs uploaded already. Everything else (CV, PS, STEP 1/2CK/2CS) is ready as well.

Would it be stupid for me to wait until all 5 letters are uploaded before assigning them? I'm asking b/c our Student Affairs will give us 'hints' about which letters are good and which are not as good....

another question: Should I go ahead and release/upload my USMLE transcripts today (8/24), so they will be ready and waiting on 9/1? How long does the whole USMLE aspect take?


Thanks for the help!

 

[medsend]

you guys get hints??? wth...

would like to know the answer to the usmle question as well...

 

[gutonc]

you guys get hints??? wth...

would like to know the answer to the usmle question as well...

As to the LOR issue, if you have any concern about the content of your LOR, you shouldn't have asked for it in the first place. As a faculty member (who didn't write me a letter but was a friend) once told me "never ask somebody to write you a letter, ask them to write you a great letter. If they hesitate, thank them for their time and move on."

WRT USMLE, if you don't have a score pending, why wait? If you do have a score pending (and your Step 1 is good/great), why wait? If your Step 1 sucks and you feel like you nailed Step 2 and that's pending, then wait.

 

[2012mdc]

As to the LOR issue, if you have any concern about the content of your LOR, you shouldn't have asked for it in the first place. As a faculty member (who didn't write me a letter but was a friend) once told me "never ask somebody to write you a letter, ask them to write you a great letter. If they hesitate, thank them for their time and move on."

WRT USMLE, if you don't have a score pending, why wait? If you do have a score pending (and your Step 1 is good/great), why wait? If your Step 1 sucks and you feel like you nailed Step 2 and that's pending, then wait.

I understand what you're saying but it is possible to have 5 strong letters with 1 or 2 being exceptionally amazingly strong. With programs only wanting 3 letters you obviously want the best ones in there. There are letters that are strong and there are letters that get you comments all over the trail

Side question - if a LOR is assigned but isn't uploaded before submission it does get sent out automatically after it's uploaded right?

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Would it be stupid for me to wait until all 5 letters are uploaded before assigning them? I'm asking b/c our Student Affairs will give us 'hints' about which letters are good and which are not as good....

another question: Should I go ahead and release/upload my USMLE transcripts today (8/24), so they will be ready and waiting on 9/1? How long does the whole USMLE aspect take?


Thanks for the help!

1. It's totally fine, although I think not everyone agrees on what a "strong" letter looks like. It's quite possible that I might think that LOR #4 is your best, but someone else will think that LOR #1 is the best. Obviously you shouldn't wait until November to assign letters, but no harm will come from waiting until mid Sept or perhaps early October.

2. I think that the USMLE transcript release process only happens when you actually apply to a program. Hence, no matter what you do, your transcript releases will be processed on 9/1 (or just after that).

Side question - if a LOR is assigned but isn't uploaded before submission it does get sent out automatically after it's uploaded right?

Yes.

 

[Libertas]

So am I understanding correctly that you don't need to assign any letters to a program before submitting on the 1st?

So I could submit on the first and continue to seek out a final letter writer, or decide between 2 writers, for example, and then assign after my application has already been submitted?

I ask because one of the FAQ on the ERAS site says:

How do I change a document assignment? Prior to applying to programs you may change document assignments. After you have applied to programs, your document selections are locked and may not be changed with the exception of your personal statement.

1. It's totally fine, although I think not everyone agrees on what a "strong" letter looks like. It's quite possible that I might think that LOR #4 is your best, but someone else will think that LOR #1 is the best. Obviously you shouldn't wait until November to assign letters, but no harm will come from waiting until mid Sept or perhaps early October.

2. I think that the USMLE transcript release process only happens when you actually apply to a program. Hence, no matter what you do, your transcript releases will be processed on 9/1 (or just after that).



Yes.

 

[2012mdc]

So am I understanding correctly that you don't need to assign any letters to a program before submitting on the 1st?

So I could submit on the first and continue to seek out a final letter writer, or decide between 2 writers, for example, and then assign after my application has already been submitted?

I ask because one of the FAQ on the ERAS site says:

How do I change a document assignment? Prior to applying to programs you may change document assignments. After you have applied to programs, your document selections are locked and may not be changed with the exception of your personal statement.

From what I understand you cannot de-assign a LOR after you've applied to the program but you can always add more LOR's

So don't assign a LOR to a program unless you are sure you want to send it. You can assign more letters after submitting though

 

[ahk85]

Hey,

I am applying to the 2012 match. I have chosen prelim surgery positions and Urology position. ERAS has sent me an email saying that one of my letters which i assigned to several prelim surgery programs has in its content a recommendation for the specialty which is urology. They have given me the option not to send this letter or to send it; will sending it to non urology programs hinder my chances in getting a prelim surgery position?

Thanks

 

[gutonc]

Hey,

I am applying to the 2012 match. I have chosen prelim surgery positions and Urology position. ERAS has sent me an email saying that one of my letters which i assigned to several prelim surgery programs has in its content a recommendation for the specialty which is urology. They have given me the option not to send this letter or to send it; will sending it to non urology programs hinder my chances in getting a prelim surgery position?

Thanks

If it says anything suggesting that you are currently breathing and have a heartbeat it is the perfect letter for a prelim surg spot.