Confused about LORs!

[Eyecrazy]

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Hey everyone, does anyone know how the whole recommendation letters process works? I'm getting mixed answers and I'm just really confused. I thought most schools require all the letters to be strictly from science professors, but I have a friend who's also applying who says she's getting one from a humanities professor. I guess my question is, can I pick and choose what letters go to which schools on OptomCas? For example, say I asked 6 people to fill out recommendations, but I dont send all 6 out to the same schools (aka some schools would get different letters than others based on the science requirement). Anyone who has any ideas, please HELP!

 

[Gigan988]

All of the Optometry schools use one centralized application, OptomCAS, so you can't select certain letters to go to certain schools and others to go to others. You also can only submit either 3 or 4 letters, no more or less.

I'm starting Western U's class of 2015 in a little over a month. When I applied, I had one from an anatomy professor, one from an optometrist, and one from my high school career advisor. They recommend one from an optometrist and one from a professor, and a third from an employer or career advisor.

 

[Mobileyes]

If I were to upload 4, but then changed my mind on one, would I be able to get rid of it from OptomCAS, and then ask another letter writer and upload that as a 4th one instead?

 

[shannon804]

All of the Optometry schools use one centralized application, OptomCAS, so you can't select certain letters to go to certain schools and others to go to others. You also can only submit either 3 or 4 letters, no more or less.

I'm starting Western U's class of 2015 in a little over a month. When I applied, I had one from an anatomy professor, one from an optometrist, and one from my high school career advisor. They recommend one from an optometrist and one from a professor, and a third from an employer or career advisor.

That's annoying; I thought you could submit with only two letters. For instance, I will only need two for most of the schools I'm applying to-- it seems like a waste of time to ask someone for a third letter that is basically going in the trash.

 

[nicmc]

That's annoying; I thought you could submit with only two letters. For instance, I will only need two for most of the schools I'm applying to-- it seems like a waste of time to ask someone for a third letter that is basically going in the trash.

You can submit with 2 letters. My school required all letters to go through the pre-med office into the committee letter, except for the optometrist letter. So, I submitted with 1 committee letter and 1 letter from an optometrist.

 

[Eyecrazy]

How much in advance should I ask my recommenders for letters if I plan to submit Optomcas sometime in late august/early september?

Also, if i am currently enrolled in a summer course, would it be appropriate to ask my professor for a LOR before the class ends (since it ends in august)?

 

[EyeWonder]

How much in advance should I ask my recommenders for letters if I plan to submit Optomcas sometime in late august/early september?

Also, if i am currently enrolled in a summer course, would it be appropriate to ask my professor for a LOR before the class ends (since it ends in august)?

When I asked my professors to write me a LOR, they agreed, I sent them the information then and there, and they had it done that same day. It doesn't take long. You could do it today, or the day before you submit your application. It doesn't really matter.

I don't think it would hurt to ask your professors during the course. They have written plenty, so if there is a need to wait until the end of the course, they would know and would say so. Otherwise, they would probably just do it then and there.