Letter of Reccommendation Process Help

[deleted444768]

---

Members don't see this ad.

So can someone clarify me as to how the process of sending an LOR works? Should I tell the professor to mail it somewhere (or e-mail)? I also heard that you can use something called Interfolio? I'm very confused.

 

[EBTrailRunner]

If your school's career center has a LOR service, I'd use that. Otherwise, you can set up an Interfolio account for $19/year. Basically, you request a letter through Interfolio, which emails your letter writer a link and instructions for uploading your letter confidentially, and Interfolio lets you know when your letter's been received. Later, when it comes time to apply, you can have Interfolio send your letters to AMCAS.

 

[rmpruitt]

Or you can just use the AMCAS letter writer service which is free and worked just fine for me. When you go to fill out your primary application they have a link to a PDF you can download and give to your writers which has instructions on how they can upload or mail their LORs. None of my recommended seemed to have any problems with it.

 

[NeuralNetwork]

It was confusing to me at first too, so here is a super simplified diagram for you:


Option 1:

Letter of Rec Writer (Prof/PI/etc) --1a---> Interfolio/Private Letter Service/School Letter Service --2---> AMCAS

Option 2:

Letter of Rec Writer (Prof/PI/etc) --1b---> AMCAS

Key

1a: Forms from interfolio/school service/whatever letter of rec collecting service is given to the letter writer, and they submit it to that service for you

1b: Forms from AMCAS are printed out and given to each individual letter writer, and they submit it in to AMCAS for you

2: Forms from AMCAS are printed out and given to the private service/school service/interfolio, and they will submit all your letters to AMCAS for you


Pros/Cons
The purpose of a letter service is to organize your letters on your behalf, and to store them for you should you require them again. Some services will give you a couple years so you can reuse those letters if you need to apply again. Many will also double check that everything the letter of rec writer submits is correct for your application (right name, program to which you are applying is referred to correctly)

Option 1
Pros
- Stores letters if need to repeat application cycle
- Some make sure everything is signed, your name is correctly written on the actual letter, and small things like that

Cons
- Possibly will force all letters to be sent as one packet (can't pick and choose which letters for which schools if need be)
- $

Option 2
Pros
- Can choose which letters to send to which schools with AMCAS directly
- Cheaper

Cons
- Loss of benefits from having letter service (see above)


Hope this helped, and good luck

 

[dougfunnie]

^that and this....
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=812665

So dumb not to fork over the $19 imo. Makes your life way easier.