Individual LORs Question

[Teeths]

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As a reapplicant, I'm determined to get stronger LORs and some from the masters program I'm currently in for the upcoming cycle as I believe it was a part of my application that wasn't the greatest. I used my undergrad's pre-health committee but I feel like it takes WAY too long for them to submit even though I turned everything in to them within their timeline and deadlines. I applied in early/mid June and my committee letter wasn't received by AADSAS until late September and then mailed to the schools from there. Being someone with lower stats, if I have this right where most schools won't look at your app at all until it's complete, that would have meant I essentially applied as if it were OCTOBER 😱

So I was looking around on AADSAS and it seems that if I submit individual letters, I can provide the evaluators email addresses on the app and from there AADSAS will email them with instructions on how to upload the LOR electronically. It seems like this way I can avoid printing the matching form (which I believe would take longer as it's actually physically sent through the mail) and would make the process much simpler.

For anyone who's gone about this without using the committee letter... is that how you proceeded? If so, did you also use Interfolio? I plan on waiving my right to access the letters, which I think schools prefer, so if I'm going to do this can I still use Interfolio to sort of gather the letters in one place beforehand or does it not work in that way?

Any suggestions or information is appreciated! Thanks

 

[UCSFx2017]

As a reapplicant, I'm determined to get stronger LORs and some from the masters program I'm currently in for the upcoming cycle as I believe it was a part of my application that wasn't the greatest. I used my undergrad's pre-health committee but I feel like it takes WAY too long for them to submit even though I turned everything in to them within their timeline and deadlines. I applied in early/mid June and my committee letter wasn't received by AADSAS until late September and then mailed to the schools from there. Being someone with lower stats, if I have this right where most schools won't look at your app at all until it's complete, that would have meant I essentially applied as if it were OCTOBER 😱

So I was looking around on AADSAS and it seems that if I submit individual letters, I can provide the evaluators email addresses on the app and from there AADSAS will email them with instructions on how to upload the LOR electronically. It seems like this way I can avoid printing the matching form (which I believe would take longer as it's actually physically sent through the mail) and would make the process much simpler.

For anyone who's gone about this without using the committee letter... is that how you proceeded? If so, did you also use Interfolio? I plan on waiving my right to access the letters, which I think schools prefer, so if I'm going to do this can I still use Interfolio to sort of gather the letters in one place beforehand or does it not work in that way?

Any suggestions or information is appreciated! Thanks

On AADSAS, there is a section that lets you add the recommending professors'/dentists' email addresses. Another reason why committee letters suck is that many don't write you a recommendation without a DAT score. So if you planned on taking the DAT in June, your application wouldn't be submitted until much later.

 

[Teeths]

On AADSAS, there is a section that lets you add the recommending professors'/dentists' email addresses. Another reason why committee letters suck is that many don't write you a recommendation without a DAT score. So if you planned on taking the DAT in June, your application wouldn't be submitted until much later.

Thanks for your response. And you're right, if you have to wait for your DAT scores that would push it back even longer. Fortunately I already took it, but like I said it just took them too long to submit it (mostly because the school I went to for undergrad was huge and thus lots of pre-healths 😛 )

So you went about the 'email address' way? Did any of the professors have issues with it? I'm just asking because I've seen on here that some are saying you have to print out the matching form but I don't know why anyone would go the physical paper route instead of just having them submit electronically. I guess I'm sorta thinking "what's the catch?!" because I thought it would be a lot more difficult going on my own rather than through the committee but if all I have to do is supply their email address that seems pretty darn simple.

 

[LeoK]

Thanks for your response. And you're right, if you have to wait for your DAT scores that would push it back even longer. Fortunately I already took it, but like I said it just took them too long to submit it (mostly because the school I went to for undergrad was huge and thus lots of pre-healths 😛 )

So you went about the 'email address' way? Did any of the professors have issues with it? I'm just asking because I've seen on here that some are saying you have to print out the matching form but I don't know why anyone would go the physical paper route instead of just having them submit electronically. I guess I'm sorta thinking "what's the catch?!" because I thought it would be a lot more difficult going on my own rather than through the committee but if all I have to do is supply their email address that seems pretty darn simple.

Actually one of my professors could not upload it properly in the first time. But, I call AADSAS and they told me just upload again. If it went through, you and your prof should get a notification/confirmation e mail right after. So he did try again and it went ok 2nd time.

 

[Teeths]

Thank you for the information, it's good to know that it sends a confirmation so I won't be left worrying if everything uploaded correctly! 🙂

 

[Bis-GMA111]

hey teeths, quick question: does your health committee compile letters?

If they do, to save time you can try asking them to pick out your best letters and have them sent to aadsas electronically that way. It'll save a lot of time and hassle so you won't have to worry about each professor getting back to aadsas in a timely manner.

if they don't, interfolio would be solid as well. a lot of my friends used it and they said it was extremely convenient.

 

[Teeths]

hey teeths, quick question: does your health committee compile letters?

If they do, to save time you can try asking them to pick out your best letters and have them sent to aadsas electronically that way. It'll save a lot of time and hassle so you won't have to worry about each professor getting back to aadsas in a timely manner.

if they don't, interfolio would be solid as well. a lot of my friends used it and they said it was extremely convenient.

Yes, I believe they do so I'll contact them and see if they are able to send particular letters to AADSAS. The only thing I'm worried about is how long this would take as well ... don't get me wrong I think the committee is a nice thing to have, but when they work as slow as they do I think it hinders my app more than benefiting it. Thanks for bringing that up though, I'm definitely going to ask them if they're able to do this. 👍

 

[Teeths]

I've never used Interfolio before, so for anyone that's used it, is there a way for the professors to upload to that where I can't see it? Meaning, if I want to waive my right to access where I can't read the letters myself, is that an option on the site or is it automatically where I can read what's there?

Which this brings about another question - is it still the most favorable option to waive my right to access?

Sorry so many questions, just trying to figure this new part of the app to me and get ahead of the game and be ready the first day it opens!