Letter of Rec Panic!

[22aNewBeginning]

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As we know, the unofficial but pretty much mandatory deadline of September 1st is ridiculously soon. I haven't hit submit yet because I was waiting to hear back from individuals that I'd requested a LOR from. One is the DVM that wrote a letter for me last year. He initially said he'd have no trouble writing one for me again, but then his father passed away last week and he sent me a message saying he has too much on his plate right now (understandable- but I am so glad I hadn't submitted my app with him listed as an evaluator!). The other DVM from the vet clinic I worked at a year ago never responded, and she typically doesn't write LOR for veterinary assistants, only for CVTs looking to further their education and go to vet school.

I am applying to the U of MN and they state "It is highly recommended that at least one evaluator be a DVM. The other two evaluators should be from a professional or educational setting." Well one of my evaluators that has already submitted an eLOR is a DVM, but she knows me from a research standpoint and has never worked with me in a clinical setting. I'm sure it'd be better if one of the vets from the clinic I worked at for three years would write a LOR, but do you think the one letter from the DVM I mentioned could suffice? The other option is begging one of the DVMs at the clinic I just started working at three weeks ago, but it would be a super generic letter, and I feel terrible asking them for a LOR when the barely even know me! I have three eLOR submitted currently, and the fourth is expected to be done sometime the week after Labor day, so I'm not worried about the number of evaluators thankfully.

Thoughts?

 

[jestry]

The only DVM LoRs I had were from vets I knew from a research perspective, and I'm pretty sure they wrote great letters for me, because I got into most of the schools I applied to. Pretty sure GPA was the deciding factor for the schools I didn't get into, and my LoRs helped me get into some schools that I probably "shouldn't" have gotten into.

I think vet schools look really positively upon research, and there's definitely much more to vet med than just clinical skills. I personally feel I felt like I was able to better show off my competence in a research setting, because I was actually doing my own experiments and proving my "independence" or "curiosity". Whereas my clinical experience would have probably been something along the "does tasks when told", "cleans cages somewhat competently", "is on time... most of the time?", "appears interested/enthusiastic... maybe? (because I'm pretty quiet and sometimes that comes off as cold or bored)". But that's just my experience, different people shine in different settings. Ask the person who can write you the best letter.

 

[Abnerrs]

A. Why is Sept 1st "pretty much mandatory"?

B. eLORS can be submitted even after you submit. (But I wouldn't have done that in the event that I had to scramble to find someone else)

 

[22aNewBeginning]

This makes me feel quite a bit better, thank you! It's not like the instructions say that one LOR must be from a DVM that supervised you in a clinical setting, it just suggests that one be a DVM... so hopefully it still helps! I know the letter from her is really positive because she sent me a copy (no idea why, but she did!) and it does speak to my drive and ability to understand how the research would apply in a clinical setting. We'll see!

 

[Abnerrs]

lol I still don't understand the panic about 9/1. Isn't the VMCAS not due until the beginning of October? I submitted mine on like....9/29.... 😏

 

[cadisestrama]

lol I still don't understand the panic about 9/1. Isn't the VMCAS not due until the beginning of October? I submitted mine on like....9/29.... 😏

Starting this year, there's a new thing that VMCAS is doing - a transcript verification (that they say requires 4 weeks) so they recommend submitting your app by/before 9/1 (otherwise they can't verify your transcript).

And I must say that I agree with Jestry. Research is definitely just as important as the clinical setting. And if your PI is a DVM, then it works and counts as a LOR from a veterinarian (since he/she is a veterinarian). 🙂 So that one letter would work. And if the other one is going to be super generic, it may hurt your chances (though one of my professor LORs is probably generic but whatever). So, I think the LOR aspect of your app is good to go. 🙂

 

[Abnerrs]

Starting this year, there's a new thing that VMCAS is doing - a transcript verification (that they say requires 4 weeks) so they recommend submitting your app by/before 9/1 (otherwise they can't verify your transcript).

Ah I see. That does seem to make it more important for you to get it in early. Me being me, I still probably wouldn't stress too much about it. If it isn't a hard deadline, I'm sure that everything would turn out fine for you if didn't submit by 9/1. But like I said, eLORS can be submitted after you submit, so don't stress if it's a noncritical one.

 

[22aNewBeginning]

A. Why is Sept 1st "pretty much mandatory"?

Last year I submitted my application on 9/27 when it was due October 2nd. This year they have changed the rules. Transcripts are now submitted directly to VMCAS instead of your designated schools. Apparently they are going to verify LINE FOR LINE that your reported coursework matches your transcripts from each school. Once your application is verified (it can take up to 28 days) then they will send it to your schools of choice. The issue is that if you submit your application after September first, they may not be able to verify your transcripts and send your application to your schools by the October deadline. So basically, you HAVE to submit your application by September 1st. They don't list it as the official deadline, but it's essentially mandatory.

B. eLORS can be submitted even after you submit. (But I wouldn't have done that in the event that I had to scramble to find someone else)

Yup, you only need one to submit an app, they just all have to be in by the October deadline. I just don't want to have a name on there and then have them not submit an eLOR. But yeah, now I have only four days to submit the application, which just isn't enough time to pull together another evaluation.

 

[twelvetigers]

I think the new deadline is dumb. They need to make it a DEADLINE or just say they will get the transcript done and send things off when they can - and the schools can just wait until they get everything. If this is a problem for the schools, then yeah, back to the part about moving the OFFICIAL DEADLINE. Wishy-washy stuff is just super awkward with important things like this.

$0.01 right there. But yanno.

 

[dalmatiandoc17]

Last year I submitted my application on 9/27 when it was due October 2nd. This year they have changed the rules. Transcripts are now submitted directly to VMCAS instead of your designated schools. Apparently they are going to verify LINE FOR LINE that your reported coursework matches your transcripts from each school. Once your application is verified (it can take up to 28 days) then they will send it to your schools of choice. The issue is that if you submit your application after September first, they may not be able to verify your transcripts and send your application to your schools by the October deadline. So basically, you HAVE to submit your application by September 1st. They don't list it as the official deadline, but it's essentially mandatory.

It's not quite mandatory. I called VMCAS and had a very long chat with them, as well as an adcom about this issue. VMCAS can't guarantee your transcripts will be verified by 10/2 if you submit after 9/1, so they may not get to the schools on 10/3. However you could submit 10/2 and school will still get your application, it just may be weeks later. So VMCAS is urging people to do it by 9/1 because they can't vouch for school accepting the later groups of applications. However, the adcom i talked with (NCSU) assured me this would not affect them, they would still consider everyone's application like in past years. Personally, I can't imagine any schools really ignoring the applications that come in after 10/2, they were submitted by the deadline and vet school does not have rolling admissions.

Although you don't have to take my word for it, I am a stranger on the internet after all 🙂. If you need time to get an eLOR together and want to feel more comfortable about submitting after 9/1 just give them a call.

I think the new deadline is dumb. They need to make it a DEADLINE or just say they will get the transcript done and send things off when they can - and the schools can just wait until they get everything. If this is a problem for the schools, then yeah, back to the part about moving the OFFICIAL DEADLINE. Wishy-washy stuff is just super awkward with important things like this.

$0.01 right there. But yanno.

👍👍

 

[Jess Monster]

I think the new deadline is dumb. They need to make it a DEADLINE or just say they will get the transcript done and send things off when they can - and the schools can just wait until they get everything. If this is a problem for the schools, then yeah, back to the part about moving the OFFICIAL DEADLINE. Wishy-washy stuff is just super awkward with important things like this.

$0.01 right there. But yanno.

Totally agree.

I've been wondering since this recommended deadline was announced if it will be a "transitional" thing for this year only. VMCAS doesn't really know yet how verification will go with the influx of applicants this weekend (and likely beyond). They may have underestimated or overestimated the time required to get things reviewed and sent off.

Personally, I still don't like third parties verifying academic records. It throws a cog into the system and instead of dealing directly with schools you wish to apply to, you have this middle man that has complete power over the release of your application, even after you've collected all the necessary materials and have PAID. Having had issues in the past with transcript verification when appying to graduate school, I'm weary of the process.

 

[jestry]

Just wanted to add, I applied to U of MN as well, and was offered an interview (though I chose not to fly out after getting accepted to some other schools). So I hope that settles any lingering fears. I'm can't think of any vet school that specifically requires a LoR from "DVM in clinical setting" or that would look down upon research DVM LoRs, and I honestly think that having a "non traditional" letter makes your application more unique. Good luck! 🙂