Completion Status without All Letters

[DrivenAndDangerous]

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I've got a somewhat tricky situation I haven't been able to dig up an answer to on the internet or in AMCAS FAQ's, turning to the SDN gurus for help.

This isn't something I thought about before filling out secondaries...

I have x amount of letters, enough to fulfill just about each unique requirement for each school. I also have one letter I'm waiting on receiving from a physician I've been working with this summer.

For most schools, I was able to reach completion as long as I had the minimum required number of letters, but others (as I've learned the hard way) will only mark you complete when you have all indicated letters in. So for some of the schools I indicated to receive this physician's letter, I'm not complete yet. I was able to work with Dartmouth's admissions office and they said I could move my application forward without all of the letters in, while risking that my file could be reviewed without that letter. I realize how important it is to be complete as early as possible, and I'm confident in the strength of my other letters so I was more than willing to take that "risk."

I've noticed a delay in my application status at Duke and I've emailed them (hoping for a similar deal Dartmouth offered) and haven't heard back.

I noticed when I submitted Stanford's secondary that they made it clear I wouldn't be complete until all letters were in.

In terms of the actual delay I'd face if I can't reach completion at these schools without the letter, it'd be about until the middle of August, as my program ends the first week and that's assuming my physician would get the letter in 1-2 weeks after (which I know is arguably hopeful). I could ask him for the letter sooner, and many have suggested this to me... but I want to make sure I explore other options before I resort to that.

I know the delay isn't extreme, but I also know how important timing is with rolling admissions.

So my question is: Is there a way to un-designate a letter on AMCAS, and then re-designate it later (when it's actually in)?

I know how touchy AMCAS is and I'm always so nervous about making changes I might not be able to undo. I would say screw the letter... but it's an MD and we're getting along well. I think he'd write me a good letter.

TLDR; Is there a way to un-designate a letter on AMCAS, and then re-designate it later (when it's actually in), in order to reach completion?

 

[expicept]

I was in the same situation as you last year where I made the mistake of pre-designating a letter on AMCAS then was notified by the writer that it wouldn't be submitted way later than I had anticipated (it was my research PI who wouldn't submit the letter until Sept...). To answer your question, you can't un-designate a letter via AMCAS, you'll have to contact each school individually. I contacted a lot of them and explained the situation and some marked me complete when they had the minimum number of letters.

A few things to be aware of:
A couple of schools told me that they had to "freeze" my application because the minute the PI letter would enter AMCAS, I would get put back to the end of the queue.

Schools that require a specific letter (in your case the physician letter) might still mark you complete with the minimum amount of letters but might review your application without it. At that point, it could be received badly if it's being reviewed without the required letter. I was rejected from two schools because I was missing the PI letter.

Contact them and explain your situation, most of the schools will work something out with you so you're not left in application purgatory.

 

[DrivenAndDangerous]

I was in the same situation as you last year where I made the mistake of pre-designating a letter on AMCAS then was notified by the writer that it wouldn't be submitted way later than I had anticipated (it was my research PI who wouldn't submit the letter until Sept...). To answer your question, you can't un-designate a letter via AMCAS, you'll have to contact each school individually. I contacted a lot of them and explained the situation and some marked me complete when they had the minimum number of letters.

A few things to be aware of:
A couple of schools told me that they had to "freeze" my application because the minute the PI letter would enter AMCAS, I would get put back to the end of the queue.

Schools that require a specific letter (in your case the physician letter) might still mark you complete with the minimum amount of letters but might review your application without it. At that point, it could be received badly if it's being reviewed without the required letter. I was rejected from two schools because I was missing the PI letter.

Contact them and explain your situation, most of the schools will work something out with you so you're not left in application purgatory.

I continued searching and found that you can indicate on AMCAS a letter is not coming... and they will then notify schools. AMCAS makes you agree that as soon as the letter IS submitted, they forward it to the designated schools. I decided this might be best option and I have reached out to the schools I suspect it being an issue at. Luckily, none of the schools I'm applying to directly require a letter from an MD. And for those that require one from a "clinical supervisor," I have that covered.

Are you saying that by me indicating the letter isn't coming and then having it show up in mid-August might put me at the end of the queue?