LORs on Application day. How important?

[stevo2365]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey there,

Need some advice. Or more insight I should say. I'm applying to Peds, Med/Peds, and IM and am planning on submitting my app on Sept. 15th. However I only have 1 IM letter in and the rest of my letter writers are dragging their feet and will be submitting their letters soon but are not in at the time being. Any info on how, if this will affect me for any of the given fields I mentioned above?

Thanks!

 

[SurfingDoctor]

Though I'm sure there isn't an exact answer, I would estimate that a Pediatric program isn't going to give your application a lot of consideration without a LOR from someone who practice Pediatrics. I suppose if the rest of the application is awesome, then maybe, but along with Step scores and the Dean's Letter, LORs are one of the most important parts of residency applications.

If you asked the letter writers awhile back and they are truly "dragging their feet", it is okay to send them a gentle reminder about the letters. If you just recently asked them (like last week or so) and the dragging the feet wasn't so much their fault, then you need to wait.

 

[Amygdarya]

Though I'm sure there isn't an exact answer, I would estimate that a Pediatric program isn't going to give your application a lot of consideration without a LOR from someone who practice Pediatrics. I suppose if the rest of the application is awesome, then maybe, but along with Step scores and the Dean's Letter, LORs are one of the most important parts of residency applications.

If you asked the letter writers awhile back and they are truly "dragging their feet", it is okay to send them a gentle reminder about the letters. If you just recently asked them (like last week or so) and the dragging the feet wasn't so much their fault, then you need to wait.

How far in advance of application submission date is it considered appropriate to ask for letters? (I'm asking for the next year)

 

[SurfingDoctor]

How far in advance of application submission date is it considered appropriate to ask for letters? (I'm asking for the next year)

I would say at least a month or 2. When I write letters, I will usually make sure to get them in on the time frame people request, but it is super annoying (and inconsiderate) for someone to ask for a letter a week or two before it is due.

 

[Amygdarya]

I would say at least a month or 2. When I right letters, I will usually make sure to get them in on the time frame people request, but it is super annoying (and inconsiderate) for someone to ask for a letter a week or two before it is due.

Thank you, I'll factor this into my application planning.

 

[PL198]

It's not like you have to have all your letters in by sept 15.

 

[stevo2365]

It's not like you have to have all your letters in by sept 15.

I sense sarcasm.

 

[sloop]

I sense sarcasm.

It's not sarcasm. It happens a lot. You should probably have some by the 15th but you can always assign new letters when they come in. If you get a letter on the 17th and then assign it to your programs the same day, I doubt anybody cares that it was "late."

 

[Donald Juan]

I sense sarcasm.

It's ok to have some letters late. Many places that send out interviews immediately won't even be looking at letters on day 1. They might still be sending out interviews though just based on screening results, and you don't want to miss out on that.