elors for older applicant?

[pika8]

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Hi everyone,

I have been out of college for nine years, and also have a master's degree. It seems that most schools want a recommendation from undergrad, grad, and a vet. But, I have been out of my graduate program for four years, though the vet recommendation is current. Any ideas on whether schools would prefer a more current employer recommendation? Did any past older applicants have this problem?

Maybe I should just e-mail the schools?

Any advice would be welcome!

thanks!

 

[ShelterGirl]

The short answer is, it depends on the school. I believe that every school requires at least one LOR from a veterinarian. Most then recommend one from an academic reference (prof, advisor, etc.) and one from work. I think Penn might be a stickler for the academic reference, but I'm not sure.

I've been out of school quite a while as well. Last year I had a veterinarian, my manager, and a volunteer reference - and I got an interview. This year I have a veterinarian, my new manager (focusing on my work in a medical setting), and my previous manager (I used to work in an animal behavior setting). Good luck!

 

[philomycus]

I'm in the exact same boat as you, have a M.S., and have been out of undergrad school for 10 yrs. Last year I did 2 recco's from the vets I work with and one from my current employer. I was told by 2 schools those eLORs were 'right on' target in my personell selection. If you've been out a long time from udnergrad, there's no legitamte reason not to accept one from someone who is more current than a decade ago.

 

[catcrazy]

I also ran into this problem. I graduated from college in 2000 and got my master's in 2002. First, I would investigate whether you can get a committee letter from your undergraduate institution. I inquired about this route by e-mailing my college's pre-health advisor.

In terms of the other e-LORs, I would try to use fairly recent experiences. However, I would also pick recommenders based on how well they know you and whether you think they can write something unique about you. I ended up sending six recommendations to most of my schools. Three were from veterinarians, one from my graduate school advisor (a horticulturist...), one from a recent employer (I took care of a woman with multiple sclerosis...), and one from a recent professor (for an English class...). It's fine to have more than three but I wouldn't go too overboard. Hope this helps!

 

[flokemahe]

I'd finished undergrad 10 yrs earlier & finished my MS 5yrs previous to when I applied. I decided to forgo a ref from undergead/grad advisor since it had been so long since I finished school. I worked in an academic setting, so I got a LOR from my boss. I also had a current rec from a vet and an older ref from a vet I knew very well

hope this helps!

 

[PdxYOSHI]

Just do the best that you can. Its not going to likely do you any good if all your elor's are from people who barely remember you or who you haven't had any contact with for multiple years. Personally, I had been done with my master's for two years so I had a lor from my grad advisor and my other two elor's were from my current employer and a vet I had volunteered with. I don't think that its necessary to have a elor from an undergrad prof. Most of mine wouldn't even have remembered me after that long anyway. I got three out of 4 interviews and acceptances. Hope that helps and good luck. 🙂

 

[pika8]

thanks for the advice, everyone! that helps...