Interfolio HELP! Why is it better?

[700003]

So I'm just starting the process of gathering LOR's (I've already asked people, but need to send them upload instructions). I'm confused about Interfolio vs. AMCAS. I see that medical schools only accept LORs from AMCAS…why then, is interfolio considered to be better?

Also, does interfolio store all your letters forever? or do they expire? For example, if I am need to re-apply for any reason, will my old letters be stored in interfolio?

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[Blue Blood]

Interfolio is just an intermediate. Eventually letters there have to go to to amcas.

Interfolio holds letters for a yearly fee I believe. Usually it's nice when you're getting letters before amcas opens.

Next time just read their websites. It's not like they're hiding this information.

 

[ndafife]

Interfolio allows you to store your LOR's confidentially for a yearly fee. DO schools take their LORs directly from Interfolio but MD schools will require you to send the LORs from Interfolio to AMCAS. So if you are applying to both or think you might reapply, then Interfolio is much easier to use

 

[sazerac]

Use Interfolio if you plan to apply to both AMCAS and non AMCAS schools. They are a wonderful company that does their job very well. But AMCAS does the same thing for AMCAS schools.

 

[ChillDawg]

I paid for the yearly fee, but they still charged me $6 to send my LOR from Interfolio to AMCAS...

 

[rocklobstr]

Do you actually need to have you LOR writter send in the AMCAS letter request form? Or is it enough to just put the letter ID and AMCAS ID in when you send it to AMCAS from interfolio? Mine was written a few months ago before I could even get an AMCAS letter request form (why they don't open the letter service until school is out is beyond me)

 

[justadream]

I paid for the yearly fee, but they still charged me $6 to send my LOR from Interfolio to AMCAS...

Is it sent electronically or by snail mail?

 

[quiethours]

Interfolio doesn't really help if you're reapplying--it's likely you will have to have the letter writer change the date on the letter.

One way Interfolio benefited me: one school said one of my letters was missing a signature. I called Interfolio and had them check if the signature was just cut off or actually missing. It was easier and faster than having the letter writer personally check.

 

[ChillDawg]

Is it sent electronically or by snail mail?

Electronically, so it was pretty quick.

And no, didn't need the form, amcas and letter ids were enough.

 

[ChrisMack390]

AMCAS schools only take letters from the AMCAS service, but interfolio can send letters to the AMCAS service.

It's a nice service if you are applying MD and DO or if you have any reason to believe you will need the letters for more than 1 purpose.