Dated LOR Acceptable?

Started by Eunoia
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Eunoia

Eunoia

New Member
10+ Year Member
I realize this is a unique situation, but I am leaving for a 2-year volunteer trip next spring and plan on applying either during the 2nd year or after it completes. I was hoping to ask professors, physicians, etc. for LORs this fall (while they still remember me) and save them via Interfolio for when I do apply. The letters would be dated 2013/2014, though, and I would be applying in 2015 or 2016. Would this be a problem to adcoms?
 
Eunoia said:
I realize this is a unique situation, but I am leaving for a 2-year volunteer trip next spring and plan on applying either during the 2nd year or after it completes. I was hoping to ask professors, physicians, etc. for LORs this fall (while they still remember me) and save them via Interfolio for when I do apply. The letters would be dated 2013/2014, though, and I would be applying in 2015 or 2016. Would this be a problem to adcoms?
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I used some letter of rec that were 2-3 years old and it didn't effect me.
 
Eunoia said:
I realize this is a unique situation, but I am leaving for a 2-year volunteer trip next spring and plan on applying either during the 2nd year or after it completes. I was hoping to ask professors, physicians, etc. for LORs this fall (while they still remember me) and save them via Interfolio for when I do apply. The letters would be dated 2013/2014, though, and I would be applying in 2015 or 2016. Would this be a problem to adcoms?
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I think it'll be ok. Some schools don't have cutoffs for letter dates, and others can be pretty lenient. I think most of my letters were at least 2 years old anyways, and for one of the schools that had a cutoff date listed, I was allowed to use my letter after explaining my situation to them
 
Most two-year folks are going on a mission? Your case?

It seems like adcoms like recent letters so they can tell you weren't just the least-favorite employee/student somewhere. (Leaving a gap in your letter dates) If you're going somewhere where you can pick up a letter form a supervisor I'd grab one just for options. If not, then like the wiser folks above said, you'll do fine. Don't let it twist.
 
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