Committee letter question??!!

[Alex1991]

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Hi guys, i just transferred to a university and recently found out that my school offers committee letter.
All of my evaluators already submitted their letters directly to AMCAS and AACOMAS. Therefore, i talked to my advisor and told her that i wont need a composite/letter package just the committee letter alone (my evaluators sent their letter to my undergrad for committee references)
2 of the schools im applying to stated on MSAR that they preferred committee letter if provided by undergrad.
What are you guys opinion on submitting both individual letters AND committee letter as well? Does it sound like i dont follow instructions since they state individual letters OR committee letter (given i dont exceed maximum letters required by schools which is 5)?
Should i forgo committee letter all together or continue with submitting both?
Thank you!

 

[Goro]

Why do you think you can get accepted to medical school if you can't follow simple instructions, or appear to be a person who thinks that the rules don't apply to them?

 

[LizzyM]

I am very much confused. Please provide more details: 1) what type of school were you attending before you transferred (community college, liberal arts college, university, etc)? 2) in what month/year did you last take classes there? 3) What type of school did you transfer to? 4) In what month/year did you start classes there? 5) Are you applying now, in 2019 for matriculation in 2020?

 

[Alex1991]

1/ i attended at a state college (not community college). They dont offer research or committee letter for pre-meds. I cant get financial aid beside student loan. That was why i chose college because of cheaper tuition.
2/ i transferred to state uni in May (currently taking summer classes). I couldnt get an appointment with any advisor til late May (which was when i found out from my advisor that they offer committee letter). My evaluators already submitted their letters directly to AMCAS and AACOMAS.
3/ state university
4/ Yes, i submitted my applications and got verified.
@Goro if im be all, know all. I would not be on here asking for advices. Would i?

 

[LizzyM]

I am surprised that you could transfer to a state university just a year before graduation. Usually a student needs 60 credits (2 years of courses) to graduate from a specific school. Does your state university waive that requirement for transfers from the state college?
Given that you are applying now with, really, no state university courses on your record, an adcom that knows that the state university offers a committee letter may not expect that you would have one given that you were not a student at that university until May (and you are applying in June). Frankly, I'd give you a pass for not having a committee letter. However, if you end up being a reapplicant you would do well to jump through the hoops needed to get that committee letter.

 

[Alex1991]

@LizzyM My state uni requirement is at least 30 credits have to be taken at that institution in order to graduate.

@gonnif "So at the medical school, tell me which requirement are you trying to fill? You are assuming, that the individual letters are already there so if you just add a committee letter it will all be there. that may not be the case. A school may see you have sent a committee letter, that fills the requirement, and the other letters may or may not be part of the file for an evaluator. "
So you are saying that because committee letter alone (not included any individual letters) was sent. By the application review time, ADCOMS would not look at individual letters at all?
I'm just under the assumption that since I just recently transferred in May. Yet I'm trying my hardest to jump though hoops to get committee letter would show ADCOMs that I'm trying my best to fulfill their preferred requirement and not trying to avoid it.
I have a committee interview schedule on 06/27/19. You think i should cancel it or just have it stored for next year cycle (in case I don't get in)?
Thank you!

 

[jfijiefjieji]

Quick question about the committee letter. If my school doesn't offer one, is that going to be a disadvantage? Would the medical school be aware that my undergrad institution doesn't have a premed committee and therefore be more accepting of individual letters?

 

[candbgirl]

@LizzyM My state uni requirement is at least 30 credits have to be taken at that institution in order to graduate.

@gonnif "So at the medical school, tell me which requirement are you trying to fill? You are assuming, that the individual letters are already there so if you just add a committee letter it will all be there. that may not be the case. A school may see you have sent a committee letter, that fills the requirement, and the other letters may or may not be part of the file for an evaluator. "
So you are saying that because committee letter alone (not included any individual letters) was sent. By the application review time, ADCOMS would not look at individual letters at all?
I'm just under the assumption that since I just recently transferred in May. Yet I'm trying my hardest to jump though hoops to get committee letter would show ADCOMs that I'm trying my best to fulfill their preferred requirement and not trying to avoid it.
I have a committee interview schedule on 06/27/19. You think i should cancel it or just have it stored for next year cycle (in case I don't get in)?
Thank you!

If you go through with the Committee letter send the whole thing- letters included. I can’t even imagine what a committee letter with no supporting evidence would even say. The committee at your new school doesn’t even know you. What can they say about you. The committee doesn’t know your letter writers etc. so they have no point of reverence for things said in your letters. You’ve submitted your letters to AMCAS. Just go with that. If you get interviews and are asked why you didn’t use the Committee letter you can truthfully say you had just transferred. You are making this way more difficult and confusing than it needs to be. If you have to reapply, be ready with current letters etc so you can get a Committee letter next time around.

 

[candbgirl]

Quick question about the committee letter. If my school doesn't offer one, is that going to be a disadvantage? Would the medical school be aware that my undergrad institution doesn't have a premed committee and therefore be more accepting of individual letters?

If your school doesn’t offer one, there isn’t anything you can do. Just get outstanding letters and don’t worry.