LOR expiration?

[novafan3000]

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Hey guys,

Found a couple of threads on this but theyre pretty old.

Basically I graduated this past summer and am applying next cycle for Fall 2014 start. However, I will not be taking any science classes between now and then and wanted to start grabbing some LOR from my professors from last semester (before they start forgetting me ). How would you guys go about doing this and more importantly, if my letters are sent to my premed advisor now, will they "expire?" I've heard any letters over a year old are looked down upon by adcoms, but I dont really have a choice.

Thanks!

 

[MilMD01]

They won't expire that quickly. IDK if they expire, but I know that it isn't that quickly.

As to how to ask, I hate asking people to do stuff for me as well haha. I found that it's best just to be straightforward. Let them know your applying to med school, you need a recommendation, and why you would like them to recommend you specifically.

 

[DrBtobe]

Ask them to write a letter of recommendation for you now and hold on to that letter (Interfolio is great for that).
Once you are ready to apply, provide that contact with the original letter they wrote. They can either rewrite it (and be reminded of what they thought of you by reading their previous writing) or simply put a new date on it.

 

[Praefectus]

As long as you know them relatively well, drop by their office and chat. Work your way into asking for a LOR and I'm sure they'll be fine with it as long as they're not terribly busy.