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This thread is for 2016 applicants (those who will be entering medical school in 2016) to ask questions about letters of recommendation.
Any separate threads in Pre-Osteo dealing with this topic will be merged into this thread.
Before asking a question, PLEASE READ THE FAQ, both here in this thread AND on the AACOMAS Website! It is quite possible that your question will have already been answered. If you think that you have a different take on a question in the FAQ, acknowledge this in your question; everyone in pre-osteo will be much more likely to help you out if they think you've done due diligence.
Also, each thread has a search function. Please use it before asking your question by clicking the "Search this Thread" button near the top of the page.
This thread is brought to you by the Pre-Osteopathic Volunteer Staff. Ask away, and good luck!!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kinds of letters do I need to apply to osteopathic medical school?
For most schools, you need a MINIMUM of two letters from science professors, and 1 letter from a physician (osteopathic physician preferred). A letter from a PI can be used as a science LOR should you have received credit from the institution, however results may vary from each specific school. Other letters that may be helpful: a letter from an employer who knows your skills well a letter from a volunteer coordinator who knows your skills well. The key is that the letters be exceptional, describing intrinsic and extrinsic qualities that you have demonstrated to the letter writer. A detailed letter that can give clear examples of why you are an excellent candidate for medical school will generally trump a tepid letter from a famous person. Every school is different. Please check each school's individual letter requirements by visiting their website. A copy of an XLS spreadsheet of the LOR requirements of each osteopathic medical school is attached below. The accuracy of this spreadsheet isrealtive (AACOMAS CIB information utilized) so be sure to check individual school websites! Keep in mind that a committee letter can override academic (science faculty) letters but it does NOT override the physician letter.
1a. But doesn't every school have different letter requirements?
Yes, they do. AACOMAS has a link to every school; use it and figure out what you need for the schools you're applying to. You can get a rough idea from the attached XLS spreadsheet but check school websites to confirm.
1b. But do I really really have to get X type of letter? (2 science, a letter from a physician)
The short answer: yes. The long answer: Maybe...it depends on the school. No one on SDN can answer this for you. But the general rule in medical school admissions is do what you are told. Get the two science letters. If you can't...call the schools you're applying to and see if they will make an exception. But be aware that the answer may be no.
2. I am a non-traditional student and have been out of school for awhile. Can I get around the letter requirements?
The simple answer is probably no. If you are a non-traditional student, this doesn't mean that you have an easier time getting into medical school; the same hoops still need to be jumped through. Being out of school for awhile is likely a problem in itself; schools want to see recent evidence that you can handle the coursework necessary to get through medical school. Take some classes, form relationships, and get the letters you need to. If you must, you can contact each school individually to see if they would be ok with you submitting alternate letters, but be aware that the answer may be "no".
3. My school has a medical school admissions committee, and they produce a committee letter. But the letter won't be released until really LATE! (August, September, October). Can I just skip the committee and collect my own letters?
The general wisdom on this topic is that if your school has a committee, USE IT! If you don't, you will be asked why and will need a very good reason. You are circumventing the committee at your own risk.
4. How/when can I submit letters of req to AACOMAS?
(coming soon...)
5. Do I have to know which letters are going to which school when I first submit my AACOMAS application?
(coming soon...)
6. How many schools use the AACOMAS Letter service?
(coming soon...)
7. Is it in my best interest to have my letter writers write different letters for each school?
Probably not. Unless you are attending a college directly affiliated with an osteopathic medical school
8. What are letter services such as Interfolio, and why do people use them?
Interfolio and other companies provide secure online letter holding services. You can have your letters uploaded to these services at any time so that you're not scrambling at the last minute (or during the summer!) to get letters into your application. This can be especially beneficial when you are 9 months or so out from your planned application cycle, but know the professor you have NOW will write you a great letter. You can have them write the letter, upload it to a letter service, and then many months later have the letter sent to specific osteopathic medical schools. All your letter writer needs to do is upload the letter (or mail it in) on letterhead and with a signature. These sites are secure and they do not allow you to read the letter beforehand.
8b. Which one should I use?
Because AACOMAS has never had an internal letter service such as the AMCAS (Allopathic schools), Interfolio has been the primary resource. IMO, Interfolio is user friendly and letter writer friendly and can be utilized throughout the entire cycle with no hassle. With the new AACOMAS letter service in play, it will be up to the applicant to decide which route to go.
9. What else about letters do I need to know?
Your letter must be SIGNED, and should be on OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD whenever possible. This is something that holds people up every year. Some schools will even hold up your application because of this.
10. How should I ask someone for a letter of req?
On this one, I will give my own experience. For each letter writer, I prepared a packet. In the packet I had:
A list of all of my science grades (or non-science grades for a non-science prof)
A copy of my resume
A rough draft of my personal statement
A guide to writing medical school letters (which can be found by googling), a reminder that the letter needed to be signed and on letterhead.
Before handing them this (because who wants all that before they even say yes!) I asked them point blank if they "would feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school". Always do this in person!!! If they hesitate...walk away. Seriously. You don't want this person writing your letter.
When they enthusiastically said yes, I pulled the packet out of my backpack and gave it to them.
Because I used Interfolio, I told them that they would get an email from Interfolio that evening with instructions on how to upload the letter. Give them a FIRM deadline (2-4 weeks seems to work best) for when you need the letter. Don't ask at the last minute. Don't ask when you think a billion other people will be asking. Do offer to provide them with any other supplementary information they would like. And do give them a thank-you note (and maybe a Starbucks card) when they submit the letter.
11. ZZZOMG! My letter writer has not written my letter!!! It has been minutes/hours/days/weeks/months and I'm freaking out!! What do I do!?
First, stop by or email and gently remind them that you need the letter by X date. If this doesn't work, I have given them a premature Thank-You note with a small token, and this seems to light a fire. I recommended this method to someone on SDN last year and it apparently worked like a charm.
One thing the seemed to help for me was to meet the professor again in person and talk with them and ask them about the letter. It worked very well for me.
If this isn't working....you do the same thing you do whenever something goes awry - find a plan B. Ask someone else...two other people even, just in case this person does not come through. You can't have too many letters. But you can have too few.
12. Do I have to waive my right to see the letters?
No. But if you don't schools might not see them as letters that carry much weight. Waive your right (this will be an option you can select through the letter service or through Interfolio). If you know the person well enough, you should have a pretty good idea of what they are going to write.
Please send me a PM if you know of additional questions suitable for the FAQ.
Any separate threads in Pre-Osteo dealing with this topic will be merged into this thread.
Before asking a question, PLEASE READ THE FAQ, both here in this thread AND on the AACOMAS Website! It is quite possible that your question will have already been answered. If you think that you have a different take on a question in the FAQ, acknowledge this in your question; everyone in pre-osteo will be much more likely to help you out if they think you've done due diligence.
Also, each thread has a search function. Please use it before asking your question by clicking the "Search this Thread" button near the top of the page.
This thread is brought to you by the Pre-Osteopathic Volunteer Staff. Ask away, and good luck!!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kinds of letters do I need to apply to osteopathic medical school?
For most schools, you need a MINIMUM of two letters from science professors, and 1 letter from a physician (osteopathic physician preferred). A letter from a PI can be used as a science LOR should you have received credit from the institution, however results may vary from each specific school. Other letters that may be helpful: a letter from an employer who knows your skills well a letter from a volunteer coordinator who knows your skills well. The key is that the letters be exceptional, describing intrinsic and extrinsic qualities that you have demonstrated to the letter writer. A detailed letter that can give clear examples of why you are an excellent candidate for medical school will generally trump a tepid letter from a famous person. Every school is different. Please check each school's individual letter requirements by visiting their website. A copy of an XLS spreadsheet of the LOR requirements of each osteopathic medical school is attached below. The accuracy of this spreadsheet isrealtive (AACOMAS CIB information utilized) so be sure to check individual school websites! Keep in mind that a committee letter can override academic (science faculty) letters but it does NOT override the physician letter.
1a. But doesn't every school have different letter requirements?
Yes, they do. AACOMAS has a link to every school; use it and figure out what you need for the schools you're applying to. You can get a rough idea from the attached XLS spreadsheet but check school websites to confirm.
1b. But do I really really have to get X type of letter? (2 science, a letter from a physician)
The short answer: yes. The long answer: Maybe...it depends on the school. No one on SDN can answer this for you. But the general rule in medical school admissions is do what you are told. Get the two science letters. If you can't...call the schools you're applying to and see if they will make an exception. But be aware that the answer may be no.
2. I am a non-traditional student and have been out of school for awhile. Can I get around the letter requirements?
The simple answer is probably no. If you are a non-traditional student, this doesn't mean that you have an easier time getting into medical school; the same hoops still need to be jumped through. Being out of school for awhile is likely a problem in itself; schools want to see recent evidence that you can handle the coursework necessary to get through medical school. Take some classes, form relationships, and get the letters you need to. If you must, you can contact each school individually to see if they would be ok with you submitting alternate letters, but be aware that the answer may be "no".
3. My school has a medical school admissions committee, and they produce a committee letter. But the letter won't be released until really LATE! (August, September, October). Can I just skip the committee and collect my own letters?
The general wisdom on this topic is that if your school has a committee, USE IT! If you don't, you will be asked why and will need a very good reason. You are circumventing the committee at your own risk.
4. How/when can I submit letters of req to AACOMAS?
(coming soon...)
5. Do I have to know which letters are going to which school when I first submit my AACOMAS application?
(coming soon...)
6. How many schools use the AACOMAS Letter service?
(coming soon...)
7. Is it in my best interest to have my letter writers write different letters for each school?
Probably not. Unless you are attending a college directly affiliated with an osteopathic medical school
8. What are letter services such as Interfolio, and why do people use them?
Interfolio and other companies provide secure online letter holding services. You can have your letters uploaded to these services at any time so that you're not scrambling at the last minute (or during the summer!) to get letters into your application. This can be especially beneficial when you are 9 months or so out from your planned application cycle, but know the professor you have NOW will write you a great letter. You can have them write the letter, upload it to a letter service, and then many months later have the letter sent to specific osteopathic medical schools. All your letter writer needs to do is upload the letter (or mail it in) on letterhead and with a signature. These sites are secure and they do not allow you to read the letter beforehand.
8b. Which one should I use?
Because AACOMAS has never had an internal letter service such as the AMCAS (Allopathic schools), Interfolio has been the primary resource. IMO, Interfolio is user friendly and letter writer friendly and can be utilized throughout the entire cycle with no hassle. With the new AACOMAS letter service in play, it will be up to the applicant to decide which route to go.
9. What else about letters do I need to know?
Your letter must be SIGNED, and should be on OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD whenever possible. This is something that holds people up every year. Some schools will even hold up your application because of this.
10. How should I ask someone for a letter of req?
On this one, I will give my own experience. For each letter writer, I prepared a packet. In the packet I had:
A list of all of my science grades (or non-science grades for a non-science prof)
A copy of my resume
A rough draft of my personal statement
A guide to writing medical school letters (which can be found by googling), a reminder that the letter needed to be signed and on letterhead.
Before handing them this (because who wants all that before they even say yes!) I asked them point blank if they "would feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school". Always do this in person!!! If they hesitate...walk away. Seriously. You don't want this person writing your letter.
When they enthusiastically said yes, I pulled the packet out of my backpack and gave it to them.
Because I used Interfolio, I told them that they would get an email from Interfolio that evening with instructions on how to upload the letter. Give them a FIRM deadline (2-4 weeks seems to work best) for when you need the letter. Don't ask at the last minute. Don't ask when you think a billion other people will be asking. Do offer to provide them with any other supplementary information they would like. And do give them a thank-you note (and maybe a Starbucks card) when they submit the letter.
11. ZZZOMG! My letter writer has not written my letter!!! It has been minutes/hours/days/weeks/months and I'm freaking out!! What do I do!?
First, stop by or email and gently remind them that you need the letter by X date. If this doesn't work, I have given them a premature Thank-You note with a small token, and this seems to light a fire. I recommended this method to someone on SDN last year and it apparently worked like a charm.
One thing the seemed to help for me was to meet the professor again in person and talk with them and ask them about the letter. It worked very well for me.
If this isn't working....you do the same thing you do whenever something goes awry - find a plan B. Ask someone else...two other people even, just in case this person does not come through. You can't have too many letters. But you can have too few.
12. Do I have to waive my right to see the letters?
No. But if you don't schools might not see them as letters that carry much weight. Waive your right (this will be an option you can select through the letter service or through Interfolio). If you know the person well enough, you should have a pretty good idea of what they are going to write.
Please send me a PM if you know of additional questions suitable for the FAQ.
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