LOR/Interfolio Request Ettiquette

[Sean Lee]

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I just sent the Interfolio request to two science professors. Along with the Interfolio request, I also sent them a separate email with my resume, personal statement, transcript, etc.

They have already agreed to write me a letter, of course, and they know that I'll be sending them things over the email. Typically, will professors respond to my email confirming with me that they have received the materials?

Or will they simply note the email, collect the materials, and upload my letter before the deadline?

Should I send them another email in a week asking them to confirm if they've received the materials?

 

[chizledfrmstone]

They're probably going to be swamped with finals around this time of year.

Don't freak out if they take a while to get stuff done.

I asked a non-science professor this time of year and it took about 3 weeks after I kindly reminded him a few times.

 

[Sean Lee]

They're probably going to be swamped with finals around this time of year.

Don't freak out if they take a while to get stuff done.

I asked a non-science professor this time of year and it took about 3 weeks after I kindly reminded him a few times.

Thanks. One of my professor has just finished finals week, and the other is still 1.5 weeks away from final. I've met with both in person, and both agreed to write without question.

I just sent them the materials today, and I didn't ask them to email me back if they received all the materials. I am just afraid that they might lose my email/Interfolio email in their inbox. But that's beyond my control.

 

[allojay]

Thanks. One of my professor has just finished finals week, and the other is still 1.5 weeks away from final. I've met with both in person, and both agreed to write without question.

I just sent them the materials today, and I didn't ask them to email me back if they received all the materials. I am just afraid that they might lose my email/Interfolio email in their inbox. But that's beyond my control.

I agree with the previous post, but next time, give the letter writer a time frame to send it in, so you're not frantic about when they'll send it in. Also, don't afraid to be persistent with the letter writer. Give them about two weeks, and if they're not sent in, just send a gentle reminder. You'd be surprised how swamped professors are at the end of the semester. Best of luck.

 

[Sean Lee]

I agree with the previous post, but next time, give the letter writer a time frame to send it in, so you're not frantic about when they'll send it in. Also, don't afraid to be persistent with the letter writer. Give them about two weeks, and if they're not sent in, just send a gentle reminder. You'd be surprised how swamped professors are at the end of the semester. Best of luck.

I did give them a solid deadline of mid June.

I am just wondering if I should expect professors to send me a confirmation email that they have received my materials.

 

[allojay]

I did give them a solid deadline of mid June.

I am just wondering if I should expect professors to send me a confirmation email that they have received my materials.

Oh okay lol. Don't stress too much, Interfolio will notify you once the letter writer has submitted the letters in. So there's no need for the letter writer to send you a confirmation email. Also, learn from my mistake and ask your letter writer to use an official letter head and to have a signature with the letter. You'd be surprised how that almost screwed me over during my app cycle, even after I repeatedly told them to have those things. Luckily, I had more letters than needed while I applied. Best of luck!

 

[Sean Lee]

Oh okay lol. Don't stress too much, Interfolio will notify you once the letter writer has submitted the letters in. So there's no need for the letter writer to send you a confirmation email. Also, learn from my mistake and ask your letter writer to use an official letter head and to have a signature with the letter. You'd be surprised how that almost screwed me over during my app cycle, even after I repeatedly told them to have those things. Luckily, I had more letters than needed while I applied. Best of luck!

I indicated both requirements on the Interfolio request email and in the separate email I sent them.

 

[Sean Lee]

And are schools really that anal about official letterhead and signature?

 

[WesternRedCedar]

You don't need LORs until July at the earliest anyways, don't keep emailing them every week. Give them a solid half way point before the deadline you gave them and ask again for update.

They are busy people with lives and lots of other letters to write too.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

And are schools really that anal about official letterhead and signature?

Yes! It's absolutely required that they be on letterhead and signed.

It doesn't matter too much if they don't put your AACOMAS number on it. You can designate that on Interfolio.

I know these things seem like common sense but ~13 years ago people were sending in paper applications.

All the physicians I shadowed thought I needed 15 copies to send to each school.

One of the older physicians hand wrote it on blank paper. He graduated like 30+ years ago. I didn't find out until I interviewed an one of the interviewers mentioned it.

 

[ctran019]

I just sent the Interfolio request to two science professors. Along with the Interfolio request, I also sent them a separate email with my resume, personal statement, transcript, etc.

They have already agreed to write me a letter, of course, and they know that I'll be sending them things over the email. Typically, will professors respond to my email confirming with me that they have received the materials?

Or will they simply note the email, collect the materials, and upload my letter before the deadline?

Should I send them another email in a week asking them to confirm if they've received the materials?

Give them at least 1 month and update them the 2nd and 3rd week. You should confirm with them to see if they received all the information they need. I would also give them a stamp and letter just in case they want to physically mail the LOR to interfolio.

 

[Sean Lee]

Yes! It's absolutely required that they be on letterhead and signed.

It doesn't matter too much if they don't put your AACOMAS number on it. You can designate that on Interfolio.

I know these things seem like common sense but ~13 years ago people were sending in paper applications.

All the physicians I shadowed thought I needed 15 copies to send to each school.

One of the older physicians hand wrote it on blank paper. He graduated like 30+ years ago. I didn't find out until I interviewed an one of the interviewers mentioned it.

I see.

It's just that almost none of the schools say anything about letterhead on their websites.

And what if I am asking a letter from someone who just retired from his post and is now unable to acquire an official letterhead? Will schools still accept that LOR?

 

[allojay]

And are schools really that anal about official letterhead and signature?

Certain schools are anal about it. For me, it was a few top 20 schools that seemed to care about it.

 

[allojay]

I see.

It's just that almost none of the schools say anything about letterhead on their websites.

And what if I am asking a letter from someone who just retired from his post and is now unable to acquire an official letterhead? Will schools still accept that LOR?

From my experience, it depends on the school. You have to personally contact them and ask them. But that would be a crappy position to be in, if the letter writer was not able to get a letterhead.