Few Questions

[Stoli]

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Aloha,

I have been trying to find some info both on here and the AMCAS for some app questions I have, but do not seem to get exactly the info I'm looking for. If you guys can help me out with these or send a link if something has been answered already that would be greatly appreciated!

1) Transcripts: you cannot request them until you start filling out the AMCAS app, which in turn does not open until May? Or is there any way you can request them sooner?

2) LORs. Everybody seems to recommend Interfolio. I have seen on the AMCAS website that most schools allow the letters to be uploaded directly to AMCAS. When is the approximate date you can start doing this? As soon as the app opens in May? If I understand correctly then, people use Interfolio if they ask for LORs early on (around this time for instance?) So it basically serves as a storage for the LORs while you wait for the app to open up?

3)Last but not least, is there a certain format for the LORs or do they recommenders just "freestyle"? Also does each school have a specific number of letters required as well as from whom they preferably should be, and in that case would this information be available in the MSAR book?

Thank you and Happy Halloween! 😀

 

[mvenus929]

1) Transcripts: you cannot request them until you start filling out the AMCAS app, which in turn does not open until May? Or is there any way you can request them sooner?

That's right. You cannot request them sooner.

2) LORs. Everybody seems to recommend Interfolio. I have seen on the AMCAS website that most schools allow the letters to be uploaded directly to AMCAS. When is the approximate date you can start doing this? As soon as the app opens in May? If I understand correctly then, people use Interfolio if they ask for LORs early on (around this time for instance?) So it basically serves as a storage for the LORs while you wait for the app to open up?

When I applied in 2007, AMCAS didn't have a letter service, so I went and purchased a 5-year plan on Interfolio (initially, it was one year, but I didn't get in, so I purchased the 5-year one). When I applied again in 2009, AMCAS suddenly had this letter service, but I was unable to contact one of my previous letter writers for an updated letter. Because I still had it on interfolio, though, I was able to send the same letter again, along with a few updated and new letters.

Many people do use Interfolio as a storage place, so they can request letters months or years before they apply, when their impression on the writer is still fresh. You cannot send your letters to AMCAS before the application opens in May.

3)Last but not least, is there a certain format for the LORs or do they recommenders just "freestyle"? Also does each school have a specific number of letters required as well as from whom they preferably should be, and in that case would this information be available in the MSAR book?

In general, the guidelines are as follows. If you have these letters, you should be set for almost every school (note that some of them might overlap).

1) Two science letters, from professors who actually had you in class (not that you did research only with).
2) One non-science letter
3) One letter from a professor in your major (so if you majored in Biology, you'd want a letter from a Biology professor).
4) A letter from your PI, if you did research
5) A letter from your work supervisor, if you worked extensively (as in a gap year, not so much a job you only work 10 hours a week).
6) A letter from your volunteer supervisor, if you worked extensively

I'm sure the requirements are listed in the MSAR, but since I never bought it, I don't know for sure. They are listed on each school's website, though.

 

[Stoli]

Thank you for help! Sure cleared some stuff up!

 

[Stoli]

Getting back to the LORs.

My school actually offers a credential file service that is cheaper to use than interfolio and probably easier for recommenders since they don't have to create an account or anything to submit the letters. With the new AMCAS LOE system in place, it seems that you just submit you letters to AMCAS and once they are received you are free to choose which schools you would like to send individual letters to? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am just trying to figure out which would be easier and cheaper to use, Interfolio or the school service. It seems that both of them can send LORs directly to AMCAS and AMCAS will take care of the rest.

Thank you!

 

[juliedi]

Getting back to the LORs.

My school actually offers a credential file service that is cheaper to use than interfolio and probably easier for recommenders since they don't have to create an account or anything to submit the letters. With the new AMCAS LOE system in place, it seems that you just submit you letters to AMCAS and once they are received you are free to choose which schools you would like to send individual letters to? Please correct me if I'm wrong. I am just trying to figure out which would be easier and cheaper to use, Interfolio or the school service. It seems that both of them can send LORs directly to AMCAS and AMCAS will take care of the rest.

Thank you!

I used my school's service. It was like $15 total, and extremely easy to use. I don't know how it is at your school, but I'm guessing it's similar.