Interfolio LOR Question

[xnfs93hy]

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I just set up a dossier account via Interfolio. I requested a recommendation from my Primary Care Physician (D.O.) who I will be shadowing this week. I printed out the Interfolio Document Request form. Do I give this form to the physician, along with my permanent address? I'm requesting a paper copy.

It says on the Interfolio Document Request:

1. Print and sign your letter. Please address your letter to the ultimate recipient or to a generic recipient, and not to Interfolio.
2. Place the document and this form, without staples or paper clips, in an envelope addressed to Interfolio.

Also, I read on AAMC's website that the letter must be written on an official letterhead and include the physician's signature.

Some questions:

Am I giving him the correct form (Interfolio Document Request)?
Under #1, does he address the letter to my permanent address?
Do I need to give him anything else?

 

[xnfs93hy]

Side note: I am not applying this cycle.

 

[deleted480308]

You don't get a copy of recommendations


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[xnfs93hy]

You don't get a copy of recommendations


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So, then, to whom should I have my physician write the letter of rec after he seals the envelope with my LoR inside? He doesn't address this one to Interfolio. He addresses it to the "ultimate recipient." I don't know what they mean by that.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Any help?

 

[Hailstorm]

They mean the medical schools.

The letter should not read:

Dear Interfolio

The letter should be mailed to Interfolio.

Much in the same way that my post addresses you, but is sent to SDN.

 

[type12]

You should really do this electronically.

 

[xnfs93hy]

They mean the medical schools.

The letter should not read:

Dear Interfolio

The letter should be mailed to Interfolio.

Much in the same way that my post addresses you, but is sent to SDN.

I think I understand what you mean. Should my writer leave the envelope blank and mail the blank envelope and the Interfolio document request form in a small package to Interfolio Inc.? I'm not ready to apply to medical schools yet. I just need to get the LOR uploaded to my dossier.

 

[xnfs93hy]

You should really do this electronically.

What do you mean? I'm following the directions that Interfolio is giving me.

 

[optimistic3]

What do you mean? I'm following the directions that Interfolio is giving me.

I'll answer this since I was just going to say the same thing...why bother having everything printed and mailed when you can send the physician an emailed request and then the physician can simply upload the letter to interfolio electronically. It'll make life easier for everyone.

Also, are you asking for a letter once you just shadow him once? I would advise against that.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I'll answer this since I was just going to say the same thing...why bother having everything printed and mailed when you can send the physician an emailed request and then the physician can simply upload the letter to interfolio electronically. It'll make life easier for everyone.

Also, are you asking for a letter once you just shadow him once? I would advise against that.

I am shadowing him for the week. Should I not be asking for a letter?

 

[optimistic3]

I am shadowing him for the week. Should I not be asking for a letter?

Every day all day for a week? That's better than once but idk...I guess it depends on how well he gets to know you. It doesn't seem like enough time to me but I could be wrong. Maybe make a separate thread for that question or search the boards for an answer from someone who knows more than I do.

 

[Hailstorm]

I think I understand what you mean. Should my writer leave the envelope blank and mail the blank envelope and the Interfolio document request form in a small package to Interfolio Inc.? I'm not ready to apply to medical schools yet. I just need to get the LOR uploaded to my dossier.

I think this is a troll but:

1) Print out the Interfolio hardcopy form
2) Print out an addressed label with Interfolio's address on it
3) Go to your local post office, purchase a USPS priority flat rate stamp, collect the complementary envelope.
4) Put the address label, and the stamp on the envelope
5) Put the hardcopy form in the envelope
6) Give the addressed, postage paid, envelope with form to your recommender
7) They write a letter, sign it, stick it in the envelope, and drop it in a convenient mailbox.

 

[xnfs93hy]

I think this is a troll but:

1) Print out the Interfolio hardcopy form
2) Print out an addressed label with Interfolio's address on it
3) Go to your local post office, purchase a USPS priority flat rate stamp, collect the complementary envelope.
4) Put the address label, and the stamp on the envelope
5) Put the hardcopy form in the envelope
6) Give the addressed, postage paid, envelope with form to your recommender
7) They write a letter, sign it, stick it in the envelope, and drop it in a convenient mailbox.

Thank you for the help. No, I am not trolling. This is my first time using interfolio and asking for an LoR, so I don't really know what I'm doing.

 

[xnfs93hy]

Every day all day for a week? That's better than once but idk...I guess it depends on how well he gets to know you. It doesn't seem like enough time to me but I could be wrong. Maybe make a separate thread for that question or search the boards for an answer from someone who knows more than I do.

Yes, for the entire week. I want to have interfolio set up, at least. He is my primary care physician, so it's not like I don't know him at all, but then again, you raise a good point. I don't know how strong a letter would be after a week of shadowing. I don't want to bother asking if he's just going to write me a mediocre, run of the mill letter.

 

[Hailstorm]

Thank you for the help. No, I am not trolling. This is my first time using interfolio and asking for an LoR, so I don't really know what I'm doing.

You might consider providing AMCAS's guide to letter writers, you should be sure that you can explain "why medicine" to him, professionalism is tremendously important. Do some sleuthing on how to behave. Treat the office staff with the utmost of respect. I would ask him if you can continue shadowing him on a part-time basis if everything goes well. You might benefit by setting up the following narrative:

Where you are now?
Where you want to go, what do you want to do, and why you want to go there?
What are you currently doing, what do you plan on doing to get there?
Does he have any contacts (other specialties/colleagues) that you could use (he probably refers to various specialists, ask this later), does he have hospital privileges? Could you shadow him there?

Sell him on wanting to mentor you, solicit his advice, possibly have a plan for dealing with what might be considered to be the less enjoyable facets of medicine (billing).