Keeping in Contact

[RocuROMANium]

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I'm curious to hear ideas from everyone on how to maintain contact with physicians and professors who will be writing me a LOR. I won't be applying to MS for another two years and I don't want them to write me poor LORs because they don't remember me. But what am I supposed to say to them over these next couple of years?

 

[Wahed]

Why not ask them to write the letter now?

 

[Catalystik]

I'm curious to hear ideas from everyone on how to maintain contact with physicians and professors who will be writing me a LOR. I won't be applying to MS for another two years and I don't want them to write me poor LORs because they don't remember me. But what am I supposed to say to them over these next couple of years?

Why not ask them to write the letter now?

I agree, as letter writers have an unfortunate tendency to go on sabbatical, move to a new facility, get sick, retire, go out of the country, die, etc. You can ask them to freshen up the letters with a new date closer to the time you apply. You just need a confidential letter service to store them on, since you must waive the right to read them.

 

[RocuROMANium]

I agree, as letter writers have an unfortunate tendency to go on sabbatical, move to a new facility, get sick, retire, go out of the country, die, etc. You can ask them to freshen up the letters with a new date closer to the time you apply. You just need a confidential letter service to store them on, since you must waive the right to read them.

I was under the impression that LORs were supposed to be written at the time of my application. I will definitely grab them now if I can but what is a confidential letter service and how do I use it?

 

[Catalystik]

I was under the impression that LORs were supposed to be written at the time of my application. I will definitely grab them now if I can but what is a confidential letter service and how do I use it?

Your school may have one (ask your advisor), or you can use a commercial service, like Interfolio (which is free for storage only. You pay the $48 subscription fee for a year when you start sending them out).

 

[Wahed]

I was under the impression that LORs were supposed to be written at the time of my application. I will definitely grab them now if I can but what is a confidential letter service and how do I use it?

Things like InterFolio and PrivateFolio. They hold onto your letters and allow you to send them to AMCAS on demand. Just make an account and follow their instructions.

 

[Catalystik]

Welcome - Interfolio

PrivateFolio - Professional Dossier Services at a Great Price

 

[MyOdyssey]

I agree, as letter writers have an unfortunate tendency to go on sabbatical, move to a new facility, get sick, retire, go out of the country, die, etc. You can ask them to freshen up the letters with a new date closer to the time you apply. You just need a confidential letter service to store them on, since you must waive the right to read them.

Apart from the date of the letter, should a recommender who hasn't worked with an applicant since the original letter was written typically need to update anything else?

 

[RocuROMANium]

Thanks guys! Do MS's care if they are two years old?

 

[Catalystik]

Apart from the date of the letter, should a recommender who hasn't worked with an applicant since the original letter was written typically need to update anything else?

Depending on the wording used, they might update the line about, "I have known MyOdyssey for two years since he/she took my Biochemistry Class in January 2018 at . . . ."

 

[Catalystik]

Do MS's care if they are two years old?

Ideally they'd all have a date no more than a year old, but one older one doesn't hurt IMO.