Help with LOR question...create an entry now or later?

[Gogogirl]

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Hey all,

I have a question regarding LORs. I am currently doing research at a summer program and I will ask my mentor for a letter of recommendation at the end of this experience (beginning of August). I will definitely be able to get the letter. But my dilemma is should I create an entry for the letter on AMCAS now or should I update the schools later? Basically,

1. If I create the entry, my application would not be considered complete until this person uploads the letter. Let's say that will be toward the end of August. Is that too late?

2. If I don't create the entry right now, I will still have enough letters (include one from my PI at the home institution) to complete my applications. But the letter I am waiting on is from a pretty big name PI from a top research institute and it will definitely make my application stronger.

So what do you guys think? Million thanks in advance.

Best,
Gogogirl

 

[Gogogirl]

bump anyone? please?

 

[delirium81]

I'm guessing people are slow to reply because it's kind of six of one, half a dozen of another based on the info you've supplied. Yes, it's always great to have big name researchers write you good recommendations, but that's slightly counter-balanced by the fact that you'll only have spent one summer with him by the time he writes the LOR. Reviewers tend to weigh the LORs from PIs who have worked with you the longest the most heavily. Ultimately it's hard to judge since I don't know enough about your research background or other stats to say whether you really need the boost of a good recommendation from a big name PI.

 

[Ombret]

Personally I have always thought that one of the tricks of the trade for applicants is finding reasons to remind schools of their existence--i.e., by sending updates (papers published, awards). This is basically the same as when you bumped this thread; it worked. (Except that you didn't give people time to respond in the first place, but we forgive you.)

So go ahead and leave the letter off of your AMCAS, find some other way to mention that you are doing this summer program, and then when the PI is ready to send the letter you can let your programs know of your continued interest and tell them about the letter they will be receiving. August is not too late per se but if you are already a reasonable applicant, it's a shame to lose two months of lead time.

 

[Raziela]

I'm with Ombret here. Get yourself complete early, and update schools with your new letter later. What happens if your PI takes until Sept/Oct? You could really hurt yourself this way.

 

[justgo]

Hey Ombret,

What would you consider the things we should "bump" applications for? I know papers that are published. What about papers that are submitted?

Anything other than letters/papers? If you finished teaching a course say?

I'm pretty bad at these sorts of games.

 

[Ombret]

Justgo, I would reckon that good reasons to update your schools would be papers accepted, conference abstracts/talks, awards, and anything unusual that would set your application apart (so if you were asked to teach a course, sure, that would qualify). Anything you would put on a CV, perhaps.

I would skip papers submitted, if only because getting too excited about submitting a paper makes you look like an eager beaver. Your application probably already makes it clear that some work you are doing will result in a manuscript. The corollary is that I do not personally think papers submitted belong on a CV unless someone is asking. It's too easy to send your draft to Nature and write, "submitted to Nature," then send in your CV in the microsecond before the paper gets rejected.

More globally though, you probably have about one to two chances to use this trick for each school, so save it for something good. If you bump your application every time you get a western to work, they will get tired of you.

 

[i eat food]

I recommend not letting one letter hold up your entire otherwise complete application. Neither you nor I know how much this PI's letter will help you. Both of us know that applying early will most definitely increase your chances of acquiring an interview. As previous posters have said, submit then update.