Man, I definitely would not wait until my secondaries are submitted to turn in my LORs. Never underestimate the disorganization of the PhD writing your letter. They are nice and intelligent people, but
brisk they are not. LORs are the one thing that can really jack-up your timing in the app process if they aren't submitted in a timely fashion.
Using the AMCAS electronic letter-writing service can save you a bunch of headaches. When you approach your letter writer (hopefully no later than March or April), tell them that you will get them an ID Code when your application is available. Once AMCAS opens up, input your letter writer's name into the system and it will spit out a code number. Your recommender will then have to register to upload your letter into your app. It is all detailed here:
http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletterwriter.htm
- Make sure your letter writer composes your recommendation on school
letterhead (or if from a physician, practice letterhead, etc.).
- Make sure they
sign the letter.
- Have them scan the letter and upload it in
pdf format. (By the way, you may have to explain how to do this for some of your writer's).
- For the schools that do not use the electronic service, follow the school's specific instructions for LORs.
- Get a letter from a
non-science professor. Some schools will want this, and you don't want to have to hunt down some English prof last minute.
- Thank your letter writer
🙂
