Need advice for letters of evaluation

[Turpulus]

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I was hoping someone could give me some advice about my letters of evaluation. I have a non-traditional situation. Also, I'm a reapplicant. I finished my graduate program in 2007. I received a letter of reference from a graduate science professor and my master's thesis advisor in 2007, both of whom have retired since then and would not be able to write me a new letter of recommendation. In 2007, I wasn't planning on applying to medical school, so the letters were written as recommendations for a PhD program. Since 2007, I have worked at two pharmaceutical companies. My bosses are writing me some medical school specific recommendations. Also, in 2009 I took some business courses and had my busniness professor write me a medical school recommendation. This year, I took Physics II at a community college and had my physics professor write me a medical school recommendation. I know that some schools require that your thesis advisor submit a recommendation, but for the schools that don't require this, how bad is it if I do not submit the grad school recommendations since they are old and not medical school specific? I haven't seen them, but I know they are decent recommendations because they got me interviews at 4 schools this year. Basically I just want to know if the old and non-specific recommendations can do more harm than good. Thanks.

 

[Turpulus]

bump. Please help.

 

[Arbor Vitae]

I was hoping someone could give me some advice about my letters of evaluation. I have a non-traditional situation. Also, I'm a reapplicant. I finished my graduate program in 2007. I received a letter of reference from a graduate science professor and my master's thesis advisor in 2007, both of whom have retired since then and would not be able to write me a new letter of recommendation. In 2007, I wasn't planning on applying to medical school, so the letters were written as recommendations for a PhD program. Since 2007, I have worked at two pharmaceutical companies. My bosses are writing me some medical school specific recommendations. Also, in 2009 I took some business courses and had my busniness professor write me a medical school recommendation. This year, I took Physics II at a community college and had my physics professor write me a medical school recommendation. I know that some schools require that your thesis advisor submit a recommendation, but for the schools that don't require this, how bad is it if I do not submit the grad school recommendations since they are old and not medical school specific? I haven't seen them, but I know they are decent recommendations because they got me interviews at 4 schools this year. Basically I just want to know if the old and non-specific recommendations can do more harm than good. Thanks.

I'd think you'd be OK since you have so many recent letters for what you did after. You should email a few schools to see what they reply.

 

[Oxygen206]

I got the impression that not having a LOR from grad school was a big no no...but since you are so far removed from your grad program, I think it would benefit you to call the schools and ask about this specifically. I know they make exceptions for undergrad LORs if you've been out of school for awhile, but I don't know if this applies to grad schools as well. Just call (or email)...it'll take awhile to call/email all the schools, but at least you'll have a correct answer and be able to track down your old profs if need be.