LOR question

[EliottReid]

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I won't apply until in 4-5 years (already graduated)

How do I make sure that my professors remember who I am? Obviously asking them too early will make the letters too old but is there a way to approach this weird situation?

 

[EliottReid]

Bump

 

[Soaps]

I have never seen a situation like this before, but I'll try my best. Maybe someone who's seen something similar will have better input.

• I think you should use Interfolio (a letter-collecting service) to go ahead and request the letters now if you won't be able to see them for the next four, five years. This is one option.

• If you don't want to collect the letters now, you can maintain a relationship with the professor. Tbh, that sounds very excessive, but it is a thought. Send them a Christmas cards (loooool) and email updates. Maybe you'll become close friends! Visit them in their office hours (if at all possible).

• Being absolutely realistic (life happens), if you aren't able to contact them in four years, they won't be able to update your letter. If you don't get the letter now, you might want to find new letter writers. Four years is a long time! We all change, so a new letter-writer will have better input about you.

To be honest, I really like the idea of getting the letters now and maintaining the relationship (with minimal email updates). Store them on interfolio. Go ahead and look for new letters from new people when the time comes.

At the very least, you will have a letter from them stored away. Ask them to update the letter (date and the like), when the time comes. Good luck OP! Maybe someone has a better idea.

 

[EliottReid]

what will you be doing for 5 years prior to applying?

I will do research for couple years + volunteering then for couple years, I'll be overseas. Trust me, I would give anything to apply now or heck in couple years but I must go back to my country for a a year and a half due to an immigration requirement but at the end I'll be a green card holder instead of an international student.

I'm doing research now to save money to pay for my loans when i'm outside the US because there is no way I could afford them or transfer the money from my country.

 

[EliottReid]

I have never seen a situation like this before, but I'll try my best. Maybe someone who's seen something similar will have better input.

• I think you should use Interfolio (a letter-collecting service) to go ahead and request the letters now if you won't be able to see them for the next four, five years. This is one option.

• If you don't want to collect the letters now, you can maintain a relationship with the professor. Tbh, that sounds very excessive, but it is a thought. Send them a Christmas cards (loooool) and email updates. Maybe you'll become close friends! Visit them in their office hours (if at all possible).

• Being absolutely realistic (life happens), if you aren't able to contact them in four years, they won't be able to update your letter. If you don't get the letter now, you might want to find new letter writers. Four years is a long time! We all change, so a new letter-writer will have better input about you.

To be honest, I really like the idea of getting the letters now and maintaining the relationship (with minimal email updates). Store them on interfolio. Go ahead and look for new letters from new people when the time comes.

At the very least, you will have a letter from them stored away. Ask them to update the letter (date and the like), when the time comes. Good luck OP! Maybe someone has a better idea.

I was thinking of using Interfolio. I need to understand how it works first lol.

No way I could become friends with professors, I'm too awkward 😀

Who could write a letter for non-trads? I'm gonna search on SDN for that, I bet there are a bunch of 30 years old (my age when i'll apply lol) who asked the same question.

 

[Soaps]

From the few times I've called them, I can say they have great tech support. The process is not too painful. You basically send an email link to the letter-writer and they upload the letter at that link.

As for your question, I'm not really sure, but that search bar has been my best friend these last four years!

 

[EliottReid]

From the few times I've called them, I can say they have great tech support. The process is not too painful. You basically send an email link to the letter-writer and they upload the letter at that link.

As for your question, I'm not really sure, but that search bar has been my best friend these last four years!

I'm emailing my advisor who is one of my writers and I will ask her what she prefers. She's nice and supportive so we'll see what she likes. I'll tell her about Interfolio.

Thanks