interfolio vs. aacomas letter service

[grey_wind]

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I've been seeing a lot of people saying they're having tons of problems with the new AACOMAS letter service. I think I'm just going to pay and use Interfolio and send directly to schools separately. Anyone else?

 

[Giovanotto]

I'm wondering about the same thing. I mean AACOMAS cant mess this up. I'm personally submitting my letters through AACOMAS, somewhat through Interfolio.

They are going to fix this, and they have time. It's still early to be submitting LORs so I'd just be patient and stay tuned.

 

[grey_wind]

I don't know, my advisor suggested to me to just use Interfolio, as it's never caused problems before. I'm already anxious because my transcripts got "lost" in the mail, so I don't want something else impacting my app.

 

[DrPatriot]

I'm just using Interfolio. I already have my letters there and I know that they will be delivered correctly.

 

[grey_wind]

I wonder if schools have a preference either which way now

 

[DrPatriot]

On the last step of AACOMAS when you select the prerequisites for each school they have a little "about each school" kind of page before and a lot of them say that they accept either Interfolio, AACOMAS or Virtual Evals.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

How does this happen? I thought interfolio was created by the people running AACOMAS?

 

[Promethean]

I love Interfolio. It isn't a very expensive service, and you can keep documents on file over the years. $20/yr to have an archive of official documents in a place where they can't be lost or forgotten is a great deal. True, you may never need to access your med school letters of recommendation again, but you might. If you have apply again next cycle and want to apply DO, having letters stuck in AMCAS wouldn't help you there. I also use mine for keeping track of transcripts, certificates, and CEUs.

 

[grey_wind]

@Promethean yeah I'm pretty sure Interfolio is the way to go for me, one less headache

 

[silvermecca]

I used Interfolio and it is a well oiled machine as far as I am concerned. I have no idea about this new letter service. Interfolio is so easy and did the job for me with no problems. Nothing lost etc.

 

[Giovanotto]

I used Interfolio and it is a well oiled machine as far as I am concerned. I have no idea about this new letter service. Interfolio is so easy and did the job for me with no problems. Nothing lost etc.

Money maybe?

 

[silvermecca]

Money maybe?

I can't remember what the cost was but I just renewed it for another year. Did not need to but just wanted those LOR there in case I ever need them again and some of my profs were ready to retire, moved to other schools etc. You never know! After you enter the expense of primaries, secondaries, travel expenses etc., The cost of Interfolio is going to be a drop in the bucket.

 

[Giovanotto]

I can't remember what the cost was but I just renewed it for another year. Did not need to but just wanted those LOR there in case I ever need them again and some of my profs were ready to retire, moved to other schools etc. You never know! After you enter the expense of primaries, secondaries, travel expenses etc., The cost of Interfolio is going to be a drop in the bucket.

I don't really like your logic. The fact that tuition rates have skyrocketed and continue to rise doesn't excuse spending more money on applications and auxiliary tasks. At that rate, just go ahead and treat yourself to a 10,000.00 USD suit for interviews, no?

 

[ananasmed]

I don't really like your logic. The fact that tuition rates have skyrocketed and continue to rise doesn't excuse spending more money on applications and auxiliary tasks. At that rate, just go ahead and treat yourself to a 10,000.00 USD suit for interviews, no?

Sure, it's a slippery slope and everyone needs to be conscious of spending in this process. But, as silvermecca was saying, last year there was no such AACOMAS letter service so everyone (or, most everyone) just happily used Interfolio without complaint or real concern about cost - because there was no alternative. The fees to send the letters via Interfolio are nominal, and if money is that tight then you're going to be facing a brick wall when it comes time to drop a $1000 seat deposit, too. The reality is that this process is expensive and stressful, and while no one is advocating a $10,000 suit, it's not ridiculous to suggest paying $6/school or whatever it costs to ensure that your letters arrive safely.

 

[Promethean]

I don't really like your logic. The fact that tuition rates have skyrocketed and continue to rise doesn't excuse spending more money on applications and auxiliary tasks. At that rate, just go ahead and treat yourself to a 10,000.00 USD suit for interviews, no?

Oh, fricking please.

It is a useful service. It costs $20/year.

You can't rent a safe deposit box for that cheap. If you ever have more than a handful of credentials and LORs to keep track of, you will appreciate it a lot more.

 

[silvermecca]

Sure, it's a slippery slope and everyone needs to be conscious of spending in this process. But, as silvermecca was saying, last year there was no such AACOMAS letter service so everyone (or, most everyone) just happily used Interfolio without complaint or real concern about cost - because there was no alternative. The fees to send the letters via Interfolio are nominal, and if money is that tight then you're going to be facing a brick wall when it comes time to drop a $1000 seat deposit, too. The reality is that this process is expensive and stressful, and while no one is advocating a $10,000 suit, it's not ridiculous to suggest paying $6/school or whatever it costs to ensure that your letters arrive safely.

Couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for posting ananasmed and Promethian. I just think Giovanotto is having some stressors about all of this. My advice to you my friend..............batten down the hatches, because you have not seen anything yet!!!!

 

[68PGunner]

What is the problem with AACOMAS? My letter writer just submitted it. No problem.

 

[grey_wind]

There's no problem submitting, but if you call and they try to open it at AACOMAS, over the phone they've been saying the file is corrupted

 

[grey_wind]

So question, if I submit now, do I need to wait until June 15th to send stuff from interfolio directly to the schools?

 

[DrPatriot]

The letters usually go with the secondaries

 

[grey_wind]

@DrPatriot Gotcha, that makes sense. Would it be weird to send them ahead of them though?

 

[DrPatriot]

@DrPatriot Gotcha, that makes sense. Would it be weird to send them ahead of them though?

I personally am waiting. The schools wouldn't have your application to associate your LOR's with. You need to send your LOR's from Interfolio with your AACOMAS ID attached to them after they have given you a secondary. Wait until you get the secondary from the school and then send them right away.

 

[grey_wind]

@DrPatriot Alright that makes a ton of sense to wait then, good call!

has anyone heard any updates on whether or not aacomas fixed their own letter service yet? (Out of curiosity)

 

[grey_wind]

anyone?

 

[simmac]

Do the letter writers attach the AACOMAS ID to LOR or do we? And where should it be attached? Thanks for any help!