cover letter v. LORs

[waitforme]

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Many schools accept the cover letters from your undergrad college in lieu of individual Letters of Recommendations. I've been wondering if, when this is the case, are we allowed to choose to have individual letters sent instead? Likewise, is there any benefit for these individual letters being sent rather than the cumulative one?

I was thinking that multiple LORs might be better because the admissions office would see different aspects from different letters and my application would be bolstered by this. On the other hand, the cover letter might be better as a culmulative overview and strong synopsis of those letters. What has been the trend or thinking about this in the past?

Any past applicants or whomever can shed some light on this?

 

[146233]

Most schools afford you the option to send either the composite letter or individual LORs. As for their relative worth, I'd say they are about equal. My school sends the composite letter with all of the individual ones (used to write the composite) stapled to it.

 

[BigRedPremed]

If your school has a committee, you should have the committee letter sent (this is a red flag if you choose not to). If you want individual letters sent as well, then just use interfolio to send them.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

My school sends the composite letter with all of the individual ones (used to write the composite) stapled to it.

+1

Same dealio at my school.