Mt. Sinai lost one of my Rec letters!!!!!!

[Dr. Don]

what the fu-k? I had to send this stupid letter twice already and they tell my that my application is not complete yet because of that!!!!If I would have not emailed them to ask for an update on my app status, they would have never contacted me....I have proof that UPS delivered it, so either they look through the pile and find that letter or I'll ask for a FULL REFUND...I think it's too late in the game to be sending a letter of rec so that they can finally review my application...what kind of sh-t is that? For those of you with med school problems like this one..share and what did you do to resolve the issue...do you think I'm doing the right thing by asking for a refund or what? damn it this application year has BEEN THE WORST YEAR OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!

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[Supafly MD]

Hey Dr. Don,

I totally hear you. I had a very similar problem with Mt. Sinai in December. I called to check on my application and I was told that none of my recommendation letters were recieved. I had to write to all of my professors in a different city, to resend the letters to Mt. Sinai c/o Ms. McCollum.

I was upset because I thought my application was complete ages ago. Anyway, the admissions officer promised that this mess up would not negatively affect my application. I hope this is true. I am starting to wonder, since I haven't heard a thing from Mt Sinai(one of my top choices).

Anyway, my advice to you is the following:
1.Cool down(try exercise, prayer,movie, whatever)
2.Call Mt. Sinai again
3.Ask to speak to the admissions officer responsible for your file(eg Ms McCollum)
4.Calmly explain your situation(resent letters twice already etc.
5.Really express how much you want to be given full consideration for next year's class

Hopefully, this will appeal to the admissions officer. I have learned that many times rules can be broken. The admissions officer may be able to make an exception or give you special consideration due to your circumstances.

Try this and let us know how you are doing.

Veggie

 

[SMW]

That's really a shame, Dr. Don. Losing it twice is really beyond belief........(if we hadn't been through AMCAS this year). Could you maybe FedEx it to a specific person in their admissions office and have them sign for it and put it directly into your file? Just an idea.

 

[nray]

I found out today that I got jacked by U of Chicago. I sent in my application over two months ago. I spoke with an admissions person that told me that my app was complete and that I did not need anything else sent to complete it. Well low and behold since I hadn't heard anything in a while, I call U of C today and they tell me that my application was never complete and that I needed to fax my AMCAS. WHAT THE F--k!!. They not only cashed my check but told me its past the deadline and that my application will be withdrawn. What kind of sh**ty system is this. I freaking spent weeks creating those essays too. UGGGGGG

 

[Osler Penfield]

wow dr. don!
the exact same thing happened to me. a few weeks ago i was wondering why i had never heard from mt sinai so i called. supposedly one of my letters was not there! my app was incomplete! that shocked the hell out of me b/c on many previous occasions months ago, i called them to make sure everything was there and it was. the woman in charge of my app did not seem to understand the severity of her mistake! mt siani was never going to notify me that i was incomplete! this , of course, is illegal not to process an app after we pay the fee...that would be a breach of contract. i begged to speak to dean kayne, the dean of admissions, and the woman in charge of my app refused to put me through. i was furious! i emailed the dean directly and told him the severity of mt sinai's error (i also contacted a lawyer and was prepared to have him send a registered lette). i gave the dean a few days to reply to my email. the same day i was going to have my lawyer send the registered letter, i received an email from the dean apologizing (he never knew how close he was to a lawsuit!!) and he expedited my app. through the process!

i suggest u contact dean richard kayne directly and tell him that what happened is inexcusable (but don't threaten with a lawyer like i was just about to do...the dean seems very nice and he will take immediate action on ur behalf if u explain the severity of their error!
good luck

 

[Cal7449]

Dr. Don,

Mount Sinai did the same to me. They lost my entire letter packet. If I didn't call last week, I would have never known about it either. Worst part is, they sent me one of those white forms indicating that my letters had been received in their office.

I know how you feel - I'm pretty enraged also. It is pretty late for this stuff and I've also thought about the refund thing. But I did resend my letters last week (attn: Ms. McCollum). I guess I'm hoping for the best. They do interview until April so there is still time. Veggie's idea to speak to the admissions officer is also a good one.

Keep on going and don't lose hope. Something WILL come through for us both.

 

[CalBear]

mount sinai seriously has problems keeping track of rec letters. a couple of months ago I called to check the status of my application and they told me that my recs were missing. i was confused b/c they had sent me a postcard back saying they received it. so, i called the admissions office back the next day and the lady goes to check my file. lo and behold, my letters are buried in my file. they just forgot to log them in their computer. i was so pissed b/c my application just sat in the uncomplete file for two months. just goes to show how important cheking up with a school is.

 

[mpp]

You are definitely not alone when it comes to the frustrations of letter of recommendation problems.

Months afer I submitted my secondary to Jefferson I asked for a status and was told that my application was not complete because they were missing a letter from my Physics professor. I resent that letter and about a month later I asked for a status again and they said my application was not complete because they were missing a letter from my Chemistry professor.

The best I can say is grin and bear it.

 

[Dr. Don]

I emailed Ms McCollum and explained the situation to her. I also asked her for some advice and how many opening spots are available in the upcoming class...I honestly do not want to send a letter of rec, waste $10-$20 doing that, so that I can compete with hundreds of applicants with 40 MCATs and 4.0 GPAs for 2 spots remaining in the class (I'm exaggerating of course!). Hopefully they will find that ONE non-science letter soon....

 

[daisygirl]

Hey Dr. Don,
Could you post what Mt. Sinai says w/respect to how full their class is? I am curious, I have not heard from them yet either..uhh I better call them to make sure they have all of my letters <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> .