How early should you ask for LoR?

[Quester]

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If I'm done with my Senior year by the end of April, do you think it's too early to ask for LoR in early February?

Would it also be weird to ask PI from two years ago to write you a LoR? Or should a letter from PI be from your most recent research?

 

[Mbeas]

If I'm done with my Senior year by the end of April, do you think it's too early to ask for LoR in early February?

I don't think it is TOO early, but its definitely early enough.

 

[cfx]

Some schools require letters from all of your PIs, so I would get one to be on the safe side.

The "deadline" for asking for letters that was recommended to me was at least one month before you need it. I think February is on the early side, but I would lean toward too early over too late. I don't see anything wrong with planting the seed in February, then just following up on it a month before you need it.

One professor I asked refused because he already had too many letters to write. He had also just been laid off, but I'm just saying...

 

[rHinO1]

I requested all of my LOR in december of my senior year. I had them uploaded to interfolio and ready to go. Trust me, this takes a lot of stress out of the process and has absolutely no down side. Also, 2 of my LOR writers uploaded letters that were unsigned and I was able to check this with interfolio and correct the situation. I was also able to submit and be verified the same day, the first day amcas opened. Furthermore, having my LOR "taken care of" has allowed me to focus on other things. There are still plenty of people this cycle still stressing on getting their letters into amcas right now. Also, professors greatly appreciate you not waiting until the end of the year when they are overwhelmed with requests.

 

[cfx]

I requested all of my LOR in december of my senior year. I had them uploaded to interfolio and ready to go. Trust me, this takes a lot of stress out of the process and has absolutely no down side. Also, 2 of my LOR writers uploaded letters that were unsigned and I was able to check this with interfolio and correct the situation. I was also able to submit and be verified the same day, the first day amcas opened. Furthermore, having my LOR "taken care of" has allowed me to focus on other things. There are still plenty of people this cycle still stressing on getting their letters into amcas right now. Also, professors greatly appreciate you not waiting until the end of the year when they are overwhelmed with requests.

Did interfolio tell you that the letters were unsigned?

 

[rHinO1]

Did interfolio tell you that the letters were unsigned?

It lists it when you check your letters status, you can also call and they will verify that each of your letters are signed and on letterhead. I believe that AMCAS will do the same thing as well.

 

[Quester]

Thanks for the responses 🙂

I guess I will, in fact, ask them in February. Which school asks for LoR from all PIs though, unless you're applying for MD/PhD?

 

[cfx]

Thanks for the responses 🙂

I guess I will, in fact, ask them in February. Which school asks for LoR from all PIs though, unless you're applying for MD/PhD?

I'm not sure, and I'm too lazy to look it up. But here's an example from HMS:

We should receive letters from all of your research supervisors. This is true for both applicants to the MD/PhD program as well as applicants to the MD only track.

I'd bet it's the minority of schools who ask for this, so I guess if you don't want to ask or are afraid it will be a poor letter, check the schools you're interested in and see if you think it's worth it.