My school has a committee letter packet, but I would like to opt out, should I?

[hope24718]

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My school has the committee letter service, but I went to a pre-med adviser about it and she recommends I use Interfolio. I know that typically advisers suck, but she has advised a lot of students who have gotten into med school. I know that most MD schools take and prefer the committee letter, but she made some good points. If I used the committee, I would have to wait for them to prepare the packet and collect all of my letters which can delay my application. She also mentioned that using Interfolio would allow me to select which letters I want to send to which schools. It seems like using a letter service like Interfolio is better, but schools prefer the committee letter. Why do they prefer it and which should I use? Will it be difficult for them to accept my reasoning of not using the committee---what reasons do they view are justified?


Also, how easy/difficult is it for letter-writers to submit letters? I'm not sure how the committee works, but for Interfolio they have to create an account, make a digital signature (if they do it electronically), or mail it in. It seems like a bit of a pain for them to do it this way, but a lot of students seem to like Interfolio.

 

[Nymphicus]

Schools generally prefer the committee letter because it often provides some sort of standardization. The committee letter often can comment on things specific to your school, such as the rigor of your coursework and your standing among your peers.

Not having a committee letter when most applicants from your institution apply with one can be (not always, but it is one reason) a red flag signifying the pre-med committees decision to not endorse you as a suitable applicant.

If you go to a school with a very established pre-med committee, I would probably advise you to use their committee letter.

 

[hope24718]

Schools generally prefer the committee letter because it often provides some sort of standardization. The committee letter often can comment on things specific to your school, such as the rigor of your coursework and your standing among your peers.

Not having a committee letter when most applicants from your institution apply with one can be (not always, but it is one reason) a red flag signifying the pre-med committees decision to not endorse you as a suitable applicant.

If you go to a school with a very established pre-med committee, I would probably advise you to use their committee letter.

Okay, so I go to ASU. I'm not sure how established their committee is, but it's such a big school, I can see why my application can be delayed. My standing is great among my peers. I can't view my class standing, but I have near a 4.0 GPA, on scholarship, etc. The school is not known for its rigor, but my MCAT score can surely show that I am competitive among students who attend competitive schools. Should I just bring up this issue to my adviser again? I have an Interfolio account and a letter-writer that is in the process of writing me a letter and I need to tell her where/how to send it.

 

[Quizlet04]

Okay, so I go to ASU. I'm not sure how established their committee is, but it's such a big school, I can see why my application can be delayed. My standing is great among my peers. I can't view my class standing, but I have near a 4.0 GPA, on scholarship, etc. The school is not known for its rigor, but my MCAT score can surely show that I am competitive among students who attend competitive schools. Should I just bring up this issue to my adviser again? I have an Interfolio account and a letter-writer that is in the process of writing me a letter and I need to tell her where/how to send it.

Are there any sort of technical limitations to using both? Many schools will let you submit letters in addition to your committee letter.

 

[LizzyM]

A committee letter and a letter packet service are two different things.

Some schools write a 2-3 page letter for each applicant that is formulaic but very informational. Letter packets not so much. Some will have a cover sheet for each letter with rating scores which are not very useful becuase either every writer checks you off as being the best in every category (clearly not accurate) or they mark you as average in at least one category (perhaps accurate but not flattering).

So, Interfolio might a be better choice for applicants from big State schools. I would not say the same for applicants from the Ivies, Duke, Emory, Hopkins or Notre Dame (not a comprehensive list).

 

[hope24718]

A committee letter and a letter packet service are two different things.

Some schools write a 2-3 page letter for each applicant that is formulaic but very informational. Letter packets not so much. Some will have a cover sheet for each letter with rating scores which are not very useful becuase either every writer checks you off as being the best in every category (clearly not accurate) or they mark you as average in at least one category (perhaps accurate but not flattering).

So, Interfolio might a be better choice for applicants from big State schools. I would not say the same for applicants from the Ivies, Duke, Emory, Hopkins or Notre Dame (not a comprehensive list).

Okay, thanks for the clarification. I guess I will go with Interfolio since my school also happens to be the largest university in the U.S. (by enrollment).