Letters of Recommendation

[MisterAnonymous]

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Good Evening, Forum!

First of all, I am a long time, regular poster, but have decided to don the mask of invisibility for the sake of this, and other, questions. Secondly, while I appreciate input from any and all members of SDN, I would really appreciate commentary from current applicants, re-applicants, and LizzyM & Catalysk.

As I am sure many of you have noticed, verification for primaries submitted in June is taking longer than usual. This observation is based on data on the AMCAS website, documenting the average "Wait Time" for verification during the 2011 and 2012 application cycles. Given this, and the fact that my school won't send out letters until ~6 weeks after verification, I suspect that my materials (primary, secondaries, letters) won't be in until mid-September.

So...

First: Should I be concerned about this, and if so, how worried should I be? While I understand the policy, "The Earlier, The Better," I'd like to know if mid-September is considered late and if it will only mildly, or more considerably, affect my chances. I've called up several admissions offices, but am having a hard time pin pointing a definitive answer. If you have applied or are currently applying, it would be helpful to know when your Pre-Med Committee sends out letters.

Secondly: If this is a biggish problem, what might I be able to do about this? Would it be wise to bag the Committee Letter and just send individual letters, or will most schools forbid it? Is the timing poor enough to warrant withdrawing my application and applying for the 2014 cycle? I wish I could talk to my committee and ask, but there is a strict policy, whereby those who ask issues on letter timing will be punished with a 10 business day delay in application completion.

Please, be brutally honest, whether to insist that I am screwed or over-reacting. I have good stats (>3.85 GPA, Average MCAT, and Above Average ECs).

 

[Nymphicus]

I wish I could talk to my committee and ask, but there is a strict policy, whereby those who ask issues on letter timing will be punished with a 10 business day delay in application completion.

This is just stupid.


A couple of points:

1) I, personally, wouldn't plan on reapplying just over this issue. If your school has a well-established committee letter, I would continue to use that letter(s). If your school doesn't have a well established premed committee, then I would send the letters individually as soon as possible.

2) Depending on how recognizable your school is, some medical schools may expect later applications from students attending that particular institution (which would work in your favor).

3) Letters aren't normally due until the secondaries are submitted. You are then marked complete.

Good luck.

 

[LizzyM]

^ All good points.

You are over-reacting. If AMCAS is running late, then everyone will be late. If your school sends its LORs late, then every student in your school is in the same boat. We don't condemn an entire school (particularly one of our major feeders) for "late" letters. We adjust knowing that letters from School A will arrive in, let's say, late August and we will be reading and inviting those applicants in September.

 

[JustMeditate]

I wish I could talk to my committee and ask, but there is a strict policy, whereby those who ask issues on letter timing will be punished with a 10 business day delay in application completion.

I agree with Nymphicus. This is really, really stupid.

While I agree that September isn't optimal, if your Pre-Med Committee is in the business of sending late letters, there is simply nothing you can do about it, since virtually all medical schools require the letter if it is available to you. I doubt "late letters" constitute an adequate excuse for opting out and sending individuals, although I could be wrong.

Since you are confident in your stats, just apply broadly and send your secondaries out as soon as you get them. Like, write them now. Then, wish for the best, and reapply if things don't work out.

 

[MisterAnonymous]

You are over-reacting. If AMCAS is running late, then everyone will be late. If your school sends its LORs late, then every student in your school is in the same boat. We don't condemn an entire school (particularly one of our major feeders) for "late" letters. We adjust knowing that letters from School A will arrive in, let's say, late August and we will be reading and inviting those applicants in September.

LizzyM, thanks so much for your input! It's nice to have reliable information from an actual adcom, and I feel much more at ease.

That being said, if anyone else has any input, I'd really appreciate it!

 

[MisterAnonymous]

Hey, guys! Even if you don't have any specific advice, if you could let me know when your institution dispenses letters, that would be super helpful!

 

[RecycleRinsed]

Good Evening, Forum!

First of all, I am a long time, regular poster, but have decided to don the mask of invisibility for the sake of this, and other, questions. Secondly, while I appreciate input from any and all members of SDN, I would really appreciate commentary from current applicants, re-applicants, and LizzyM & Catalysk.

As I am sure many of you have noticed, verification for primaries submitted in June is taking longer than usual. This observation is based on data on the AMCAS website, documenting the average "Wait Time" for verification during the 2011 and 2012 application cycles. Given this, and the fact that my school won't send out letters until ~6 weeks after verification, I suspect that my materials (primary, secondaries, letters) won't be in until mid-September.

So...

First: Should I be concerned about this, and if so, how worried should I be? While I understand the policy, "The Earlier, The Better," I'd like to know if mid-September is considered late and if it will only mildly, or more considerably, affect my chances. I've called up several admissions offices, but am having a hard time pin pointing a definitive answer. If you have applied or are currently applying, it would be helpful to know when your Pre-Med Committee sends out letters.

Secondly: If this is a biggish problem, what might I be able to do about this? Would it be wise to bag the Committee Letter and just send individual letters, or will most schools forbid it? Is the timing poor enough to warrant withdrawing my application and applying for the 2014 cycle? I wish I could talk to my committee and ask, but there is a strict policy, whereby those who ask issues on letter timing will be punished with a 10 business day delay in application completion.

Please, be brutally honest, whether to insist that I am screwed or over-reacting. I have good stats (>3.85 GPA, Average MCAT, and Above Average ECs).

You need a girlfriend, dude.

 

[MisterAnonymous]

You need a girlfriend, dude.

Why do you think I am going into medicine? Chicks dig doctors, lol. 😀

 

[PreMedOrDead]

Why do you think I am going into medicine? Chicks dig doctors, lol. 😀

You know how I know he knows you know he's right?