Letter of Recommendation Concerns...

[xpanchox]

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I'm currently applying to medical school, and I'm having trouble getting in my LORs (will be submitting using the letter service at my undergrad). I have the three that I need (2 science, 1 non-science) but I'm still waiting on one from an orthopedic surgeon that I shadowed and did research under for 2 years.

What I'm afraid of is that my LORs won't be submitted on time for UC Davis, which requires that all materials should be turned in 30 days of receiving the secondary (received mine 6/23, so need to turn in LORs by 7/23). I know it takes time for the school to send it out to AMCAS, and AMCAS processing the letters, so I was wondering if I should send the packet now to have them turned in on time.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Entadus]

When will the surgeon turn in his letter? Any idea?

Do you know how strong the letter will be, and how crucial it was to your overall application?

 

[sharpie1006]

May also be worth emailing UC Davis to ask whether they can be flexible in this situation. Regarding application deadlines, it's usually the letters of rec that schools are willing to give a bit of leeway.

Worse comes to worse, you can also release your letter packet right now, and have the surgeon submit the last letter separately. In any case, no reason to let Davis slip away.

 

[Medicine4Bruhs]

Send your application now and don't list the surgeon's letter in your initial required LOR that the school makes you list on its secondary, then send in the brah's letter when you finally get it. It's more important to be as early as you can at this point than getting another letter in.

Plus the "update" may help your file get closer to the front of the pack or possibly reviewed again.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I would just contact UC Davis and let them know about the issue. I'm sure they will give you a break.

If you think this is going to be a strong letter I wouldn't submit the other letters without it. They may just take what you send and never notice that you sent another.

 

[xpanchox]

Thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it!!
I believe that this letter is a very strong letter, as I worked under this guy for more than 2 years and have been included in 2 publications while doing research with him. He is also a Professor Emeritus at UCLA SoM, so I feel his reputation might help.

I contacted UC Davis via the message system, so hopefully I can get a reply.
I'll bump this thread once I get a reply so hopefully this thread can help out people who are in a similar situation as me.