how flexible are schools on LOR requirements

[javandane]

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i'm in panic mode right now. i recently met with the admissions director at my state school, and asked whether i could substitute graduate LOR in place of undergraduate LOR, as i've been out of school for two years. he told me that unless i'd been out for 6+ years, that i'd need undergraduate letters. i was under the impression that most schools were somewhat flexible on their LOR requirements, especially if the applicant has been out of school for awhile. so this situation is really throwing me for a loop. i didn't get to know my profs very well, as i went to a very large school. i don't feel comfortable tracking these people down to solicit what will undoubtedly be mediocre letters. the graduate, professional, and clinical letters i have are strong, and i don't want my app. "tarnished" with a couple of generic letters that exist only to meet a requirement. any thoughts?

 

[marr]

Do get those undergrad letters since it's required. Tack on to those generic letters with very strong graduate and clinical letters. After that hope for the best. Good Luck

 

[elephunt]

Different schools have different LOR requirements. For example, Tulane says this:

"...submit three individual, separate letters of evaluation, two of which should be from professors of science under whom you have studied and the third from a professor of your choice. Additional letters of recommendation are not necessary and are discouraged. If you are taking, or have taken, graduate or post-baccalaureate courses, or have graduated from your undergraduate institution more than three years ago, you may submit, in lieu of undergraduate appraisals, three letters of evaluation from science professors who have supervised your graduate or post-baccalaureate work."

Whereas Yale says this:

"If your school does not have a Premedical Committee, you may submit at least three individual letters of recommendation, two of whom should be in the science area and who are familiar with you and your work. You may list up to five letters of recommendation within the supplemental application."

So don't panic yet. If your grad work was in science, then you can get some of those profs to write you letters, and you'll probably be golden for most secondaries. If not, then you'll probably have to go back to those undergrad profs and get some generic letters. It sucks, but here's one way to help those profs out: put together a packet of information about yourself, including a CV, your personal statement, transcripts, information about what you've been doing since they had you in class, statement about why you want to go to med school, etc. This will really help them if they don't know you well.

 

[nina512]

Did a search for you...

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=130709&highlight=LORs

My advice is to check with schools. Many are willling to allow you to substitute any ugrad LORs for grad school/employment LORs if you've been out of school for awhile.