How do LORs work?

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coolslugs

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I am confused about how the LORs work, and here are two different scenarios:

1. If I am applying to 10 schools and I want to send a composite committee letter though my university plus two seperate LORs from dentists, what happens after AADSAS receives them (all in one big envelope)? Do I have to send AADSAS the original letters?

2. What if I want to send the same 3 letters directly to 10 different dental schools, do I have to send out 30 original letters? Or will copies suffice?
 
coolslugs said:
I am confused about how the LORs work, and here are two different scenarios:

1. If I am applying to 10 schools and I want to send a composite committee letter though my university plus two seperate LORs from dentists, what happens after AADSAS receives them (all in one big envelope)? Do I have to send AADSAS the original letters?

2. What if I want to send the same 3 letters directly to 10 different dental schools, do I have to send out 30 original letters? Or will copies suffice?

1. AADSAS will forward the letters to all of your schools - it takes a long time though!!!!

2. you have to send originals - for your case it would be 30.
 
AADSAS will make copies for you and send them. Only they can send copies (instead of originals). If you send to schools, it'd have to be original copies signed at the back where it's sealed. What I did was I had the people writing me letters give me two sealed/signed copies. One to send to AADSAS and one to keep in case they didn't receive so then I can send them the sealed back up copy. Another alternative is to give enough stamps to the people who are writing you the letters to send to AADSAS as well as the schools-which one of my profs did. That way you'll have less chance that the incompetent monkeys who work for AADSAS "lose" your letters therefore delaying your admissions process. (Sorry, I don't like the people who work for AADSAS- they're slower than molasses in July when it comes to getting your application stuff to schools!)
 
Is there a time limit on the LORs? For example, I know a dentist that can write me a good LOR, but he is leaving to another state by the end of summer 2006. I am not thinking about applying until 2008. Can I ask him to write a letter for me now?
 
coolslugs said:
Is there a time limit on the LORs? For example, I know a dentist that can write me a good LOR, but he is leaving to another state by the end of summer 2006. I am not thinking about applying until 2008. Can I ask him to write a letter for me now?

You may want to keep the LORs as recent as possible- perhaps getting his contact information so you can ask him in the future? But that's just my opinion.
 
coolslugs said:
Is there a time limit on the LORs? For example, I know a dentist that can write me a good LOR, but he is leaving to another state by the end of summer 2006. I am not thinking about applying until 2008. Can I ask him to write a letter for me now?

I've always wondered this too. How old is too old? 🙂
 
Does Louisville and Creighton require a LOR from a dentist?
 
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