*~*~*~*Official Letters of Recommendation Questions Thread 2011-2012*~*~*~*

BU Medical Sciences
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So I had my premed application workshop meeting yesterday and I am confused on how best to submit my lor's. I need to send them to amcas, i am also applying to osteopathic schools and i guess we submit letters to the actual schools individually, and my pre med advisor wants us to send him all letters as well for the pmac letter. Would it be easiest to have my writers send the letters to interfolio and then submit all letters from there? I am not sure if this is even doable or not but i dont want my writers to have to send letters to like 5 different places. Someone please help me on which way would be the easiest.
 
cwaranch said:
So I had my premed application workshop meeting yesterday and I am confused on how best to submit my lor's. I need to send them to amcas, i am also applying to osteopathic schools and i guess we submit letters to the actual schools individually, and my pre med advisor wants us to send him all letters as well for the pmac letter. Would it be easiest to have my writers send the letters to interfolio and then submit all letters from there? I am not sure if this is even doable or not but i dont want my writers to have to send letters to like 5 different places. Someone please help me on which way would be the easiest.
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You seem like the perfect candidate for Interfolio. Have everything sent there, and then you will be able to send as many copies to different places as you want.
 
Swiss Medical said:
Hello everyone. this is my 'first post' on SDN and I need a little bit of help concerning LoRs. I plan of shadowing a physician that I know. He is a urologist and I am wondering if it is appropriate to ask for a reccomendation letter after seeing him for so many hours. The reason for this question is to reinfirce whether aski8ng a lor from a physician is appropriate....I hread otherwise somewhere else, but I forgot where...

Please, no flaming. I'm new and want to learn.
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Moving your question to the Official LOR Question thread.

I don't think it's inappropriate to ask a physician for a recommendation. Just make sure you've worked with him enough that he can give you a good one.
 
im taking a humanities course taught by a grad student
is it okay to ask for a LOR by the grad student and have the professor co-sign? would that be frowned upon at all?
 
I posted this elsewhere a while back, and sorry if it has already been posted in this thread by someone else, but my school's pre-professional advisement center took the time to make an excel sheet with LOR requirements/preferences for each school (MD and DO).

It was for last year's applicants, but I doubt much has changed. Double-check with individual websites.
 

Attachments

Check with the schools you are interested in applying to. There are different opinions. I know that at least the Texas system schools are perfectly fine with a graduate student instructor writing a letter for you.

Also, inb4 "merging related threads" by CougarMD.
 
I believe it is possible to do that. My only concern is that you might get a sub-par LOR only because it might be his/her first time writing a LOR. I tried to go with long-time professors who have written several LORs over the course of many years. I do believe a excellent vs good/average LOR does make a difference.
 
so i've seen that some schools are strict about how many letters they want (being like 5 or so), while a lot of other schools are vague and just saying they require XYZ (usually 2 sci, 1 non-sci). i have lik 6-7. one of the schools emailed me back saying that the max they'd consider was 8. is it safe to assume that's what most schools would consider 6 as their max?

also, i just want to verify - we can specify which letters of rec go to each school correct? amcas will store the 10 letters and we can pick and choose from there?

thanks!
 
I have family who went to medical schools and know other physicians connected to those schools. If i get a letter of recommendation from them. Could it improve my chances of getting into medical school? For instance, I ask my relative to ask someone to write a letter of recommendation for me who is connected to the medical school.

My gpa is a 3.71 and I am a rising junior. I have not taken the mcat yet.
 
premed2013 said:
I have family who went to medical schools and know other physicians connected to those schools. If i get a letter of recommendation from them. Could it improve my chances of getting into medical school? For instance, I ask my relative to ask someone to write a letter of recommendation for me who is connected to the medical school.

My gpa is a 3.71 and I am a rising junior. I have not taken the mcat yet.
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That sounds like a terrible idea. That person wouldn't even know you. How would they write a good letter of recommendation.

Get LORs from people who actually know you - those will be the best LORs.

As far as the question of if having a letter written from someone who works at the med school you're applying to - it will rarely help. Most physicians are not well known to the admissions committee and they're not really going to notice or care that its someone who works in their hospital.
 
I'll kepp short...

Received Letter of rec in hospital in france. It was in French from the overseeing doctor, I wish to add it to my portfolio (cause its really really good), how do I "officially" translate it.

Any ideas ??😕
 
Don't use it. Two reasons why:

1) Letters from docs aren't strong references to begin with.

2) You cannot personally submit a letter of recommendation; it must come directly from the source. In order to do that, you'd have to have this doc translate it and send it in himself. I don't see that happening.
 
Astarael said:
Don't use it. Two reasons why:

1) Letters from docs aren't strong references to begin with.

2) You cannot personally submit a letter of recommendation; it must come directly from the source. In order to do that, you'd have to have this doc translate it and send it in himself. I don't see that happening.
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There must be a wy, it was from my inetrnship and its the best Rec letter Ive ever read Ive ever read. He gave me a copy and then mailled an official one to my house here in the states, and the official letter is still sealed.
 
Pons Asinorum said:
A frenchman that tells you that he doesn't speak English is a dirty liar. Even if he's not lying, he's most likely dirty. Just saying.


(and don't submit that letter for reasons already stated.)
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LMAO he spoke english dude, he just was'nt efficient enough in it to write a rec letter.
 
prometheusk said:
There must be a wy, it was from my inetrnship and its the best Rec letter Ive ever read Ive ever read. He gave me a copy and then mailled an official one to my house here in the states, and the official letter is still sealed.
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There is a way, and I already mentioned it. Ask the doc to have a service translate his letter and have him send it directly to AMCAS or Interfolio. That's really your only option.

theWUbear said:
lolwut
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Ugh, apologies. I was speaking in general terms so I wouldn't have to take the time to explain myself. That was probably a mistake. What I meant is that of all the letters you can submit on your behalf, you've basically got: Science Prof>Non-Science Prof>Doc your worked with for a long time>Other supervisor you worked with for a long time>>>Doc you shadowed. It's not that those letters are worthless, but in the context of getting one translated from a French doctor that the OP probably only worked with for a couple months, it isn't worth the effort.
 
Pons Asinorum said:
Letters from physicians you shadow are not given much weight. If it's for a research project or something like that, different story. But a shadowing LOR is essentially worthless.
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Not shadow, internship, I got paid and they actually made my ass do work, thats wat actually made me sure I wanted to be an MD and Im writig about it in my personl statement, so that rec letter would make everything stick ...
 
Astarael said:
There is a way, and I already mentioned it. Ask the doc to have a service translate his letter and have him send it directly to AMCAS or Interfolio. That's really your only option.



Ugh, apologies. I was speaking in general terms so I wouldn't have to take the time to explain myself. That was probably a mistake. What I meant is that of all the letters you can submit on your behalf, you've basically got: Science Prof>Non-Science Prof>Doc your worked with for a long time>Other supervisor you worked with for a long time>>>Doc you shadowed. It's not that those letters are worthless, but in the context of getting one translated from a French doctor that the OP probably only worked with for a couple months, it isn't worth the effort.
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I can have him mail it to AMCAS but it would be in french, will AMCAS offer any translation service that u know of?
 
prometheusk said:
I can have him mail it to AMCAS but it would be in french, will AMCAS offer any translation service that u know of?
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No, AMCAS does not translate letters. That's why I'm telling you that, no matter how glowing his comments about you were, your chances of using this letter are slim to none. If you can get him to translate it himself and send it directly to AMCAS, that would work. But that's really your only option.
 
Send it in French. Maybe you'll become famous on the admissions trail as "that dude with the French letter".
 
prometheusk said:
I'll kepp short...

Received Letter of rec in hospital in france. It was in French from the overseeing doctor, I wish to add it to my portfolio (cause its really really good), how do I "officially" translate it.

Any ideas ??😕
Click to expand...

If it is for an extended paid experience it sounds like this could be worth pursuing. Are you still in undergrad? Ask your premed advisor, as your undergraduate institution is allowed to read and submit letters on your behalf. If the original writer cannot provide a translation, your premed advisor/office may be able to help you get a translation and submit it alongside the original.
 
farrago said:
Send it in French. Maybe you'll become famous on the admissions trail as "that dude with the French letter".
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I've got no advice but I'm cracking up because "French letter" is a very old slang term for a condom.

Maybe I do have some advice: Submit the letter in the sealed envelope to your pre-med committee or to AMCAS. Let them figure it out.
 
Morzh said:
Check with the schools you are interested in applying to. There are different opinions. I know that at least the Texas system schools are perfectly fine with a graduate student instructor writing a letter for you.

Also, inb4 "merging related threads" by CougarMD.
Click to expand...

Morzh said:
Darn, guessed wrong.
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Sammich117 said:
🙂
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:laugh::laugh:

Sammich has eyes in the back of her head for LOR and AMCAS questions. I think she can move threads with her mind😉
 
OK ... slight dilemma brewing here.

So I've been doing research for the past ~ year or so at the same place. This past month I took some time off for finals, and due to a big miscommunication there is no space for me at the lab after this semester. I saw the PI all the time last summer since I was there full time, but my interactions during the past year have been mainly with the PI's. I don't know (a) if my PI will write me a letter or (b) if it will be a good one. She is rather unpredictable to me. How bad will it look to not include a letter from her? I am looking for positions in different labs. Perhaps I could wait til a few months after I start at a new place and send in a letter that I'm more sure of as an update?

I know it will look weird if I don't include a letter from this PI, but it's very difficult for me to perceive whether or not we're on "good terms".
 
LizzyM said:
I've got no advice but I'm cracking up because "French letter" is a very old slang term for a condom.

Maybe I do have some advice: Submit the letter in the sealed envelope to your pre-med committee or to AMCAS. Let them figure it out.
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I don't know HOW I missed this at first pass.


Thanks LizzyM.....absolutely incorporating this one into my vernacular.👍
 
Trying to be on top of things I asked 5 people to write me letters of recommendation earlier this year (back in jan/feb) for this summers application process. I know I don't need the letters until maybe July but when I asked the people to write them I gave them a deadline of around May to have them completed. So far I have only received 2 letters and am particularly concerned about the letter from my chemistry professor. She, despite being very busy, tends to be forgetful and kind of a procrastinator. Would it be rude to send her a reminder and maybe give her a new deadline to have it done by, maybe tell her I need it by June 15th? The other 2 im not as concerned about since I see them often and can ask about it any time.
 
JHawk5 said:
Trying to be on top of things I asked 5 people to write me letters of recommendation earlier this year (back in jan/feb) for this summers application process. I know I don't need the letters until maybe July but when I asked the people to write them I gave them a deadline of around May to have them completed. So far I have only received 2 letters and am particularly concerned about the letter from my chemistry professor. She, despite being very busy, tends to be forgetful and kind of a procrastinator. Would it be rude to send her a reminder and maybe give her a new deadline to have it done by, maybe tell her I need it by June 15th? The other 2 im not as concerned about since I see them often and can ask about it any time.
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Send them a reminder
 
Remind them, but don't change the deadline. That would just make them mad. They probably forgot. LORs are not high on the priority list for most people, and they are kind of annoying to write.
 
So basically I compiled many letters from over the years such as from volunteering, research etc. A couple being full page letters. My premed advisor writes a composite letter summerizing everything into one letter. He asked me if I want him to include those original letters with his composite letter ?
Should I ? whats the normal procedure? what did you do ?
 
ascg said:
So basically I compiled many letters from over the years such as from volunteering, research etc. A couple being full page letters. My premed advisor writes a composite letter summerizing everything into one letter. He asked me if I want him to include those original letters with his composite letter ?
Should I ? whats the normal procedure? what did you do ?
Click to expand...
Merging related threads.
 
I had the plan to apply all year. Was planning on getting the application completed for opening day.

With work, classes and MCAT studying, I kind of missed finishing two key things.

Writing my personal statement, and asking for LORs.


Nothing on my AMCAS application is done.

I have contacted my schools premed program and they gave me the instructions for having my letters sent to them so that they can send the letters on my behalf to both the MD and DO schools I apply to.

I am actually really nervous about asking for letters of recommendation, in that, I don't like to ask anybody for anything. It gives me a bit of anxiety to put myself out there.


Regardless, I shadowed several doctors and they offered to write me a LOR.
I have 4 other professors (one psychology, three biology.

I have strong ties with all of them. Took a class with each one and earned an A (except for the last one, who I was a TA for and gave some of her course lectures), worked for them as a TA or lab manager, did research with them for a couple years.


Any suggestions as to how to professionally request a LOR.

I feel I passed the panic point with actually requesting LORs but I hope since they know me so well they will not have a hard time writing me a LOR. I just need to request it.

Any suggestions?

I was planning on sending emails to each. Maybe I should ask for one in person from those I can meet in person.

Was planning on sending them a CV, with my activities over the last couple years.

I also need to write my personal statement. I know I am really late on that front. I am going to knock it out with a easy schedule following the day I take my MCAT (3rd week of May).

Should I be worried?

Just got overrun with work and didn't write my PS, and been too nervous to actually request a LOR.
 
For Chrisebril:

Ask for your LORs NOW! The biggest hold-up during the app season is LORs, so you really want to get those done asap. Give the letter-writers a deadline, ask if they can make it, and follow-up with them to make sure they remember.

In terms of letters, two science, and then a non-science are good basic guidelines for professors. Then it is good to get some letters (1 to maybe 3) from ECs. You mentioned research? Definitely get an LOR from the person who heads your research. If it is just a grad student, have them write a letter and get the PI to sign it too (gives it more legitmacy). Letters from doctors you shadowed are ok but usually aren't given as much weight, so you may not need those at all. Choose your LORs carefully. Make sure they can write good ones. Also make sure you don't get too many. More than 5 is really pushing it, but doable, if you get good letters from a variety of sources (aka you don't need 4 science professors).

And if I didn't emphasize it before, ASK FOR THEM ASAP!

In terms of PS, it depends on you. Some write them fast, some slow. You can write a good PS in a short amount of time. Just get as many readers as you can. You want to make sure it makes sense and it conveys the message you want to get across. Getting a bunch of readers will make sure something isn't too vague, confusing, or can be interpreted poorly. It also needs to have just about perfect grammar.
 
ascg said:
So basically I compiled many letters from over the years such as from volunteering, research etc. A couple being full page letters. My premed advisor writes a composite letter summerizing everything into one letter. He asked me if I want him to include those original letters with his composite letter ?
Should I ? whats the normal procedure? what did you do ?
Click to expand...

My committee letter included the composite and all my letters. I would include the original letters too. Some schools will look at the composite, some may read both the composite and the originals. Either way, it will only help to have more letters about you, since someone who reads the original letters too will get a more complete view of you as an applicant.
 
so i am trying to print the letter request form... im on firefox 3.5

BUT it wont let me

when i click print letter request form link it opens a pop up that says please wait... this may take up to 2 minutes... but it never finishes loading and then there is a pop up for a file download generatePDF.cfm...

which if u open it up it just opens in firefox or whatever browser and then the download box pops up again...

how does the pdf actually get generated? and or how can i print the form?
 
sdsoccer said:
so i am trying to print the letter request form... im on firefox 3.5

BUT it wont let me

when i click print letter request form link it opens a pop up that says please wait... this may take up to 2 minutes... but it never finishes loading and then there is a pop up for a file download generatePDF.cfm...

which if u open it up it just opens in firefox or whatever browser and then the download box pops up again...

how does the pdf actually get generated? and or how can i print the form?
Click to expand...

Try to "open with" using Adobe Acrobat or Reader the file generatePDF.cfm - should open it up. Then save as a .pdf as something descriptive.
 
sdsoccer said:
so i am trying to print the letter request form... im on firefox 3.5

BUT it wont let me

when i click print letter request form link it opens a pop up that says please wait... this may take up to 2 minutes... but it never finishes loading and then there is a pop up for a file download generatePDF.cfm...

which if u open it up it just opens in firefox or whatever browser and then the download box pops up again...

how does the pdf actually get generated? and or how can i print the form?
Click to expand...

Pons Asinorum said:
Try to "open with" using Adobe Acrobat or Reader the file generatePDF.cfm - should open it up. Then save as a .pdf as something descriptive.
Click to expand...

If what Pons suggested doesn't work, configure your browser to automatically open any PDFs using whatever PDF viewer you use.
 
I already had all of my LORs uploaded to Interfolio by the letter writers. Now, I'd like to send them to AMCAS. I've some questions:

1) While creating an "individual letter of evaluation" at AMCAS website, should I write the "Unique Document Email Address" given by Interfolio or the letter writer's email address into the box "Primary Contact/Author's Email" at AMCAS? (Interfolio mentioned about the former, thus I was confused.)

2) Do I have to print out the "letter request form" for each of the "individual letter of evaluations" I entered at AMCAS? Do I have to re-request from all of my letter writers to resend their letters to Interfolio/AMCAS by attaching those bar-coded "letter request forms" to their letters? Isn't it silly? How is this gonna work?

Thanks for detailed responses in advance,
 
ceng2doc said:
I already had all of my LORs uploaded to Interfolio by the letter writers. Now, I'd like to send them to AMCAS. I've some questions:

1) While creating an "individual letter of evaluation" at AMCAS website, should I write the "Unique Document Email Address" given by Interfolio or the letter writer's email address into the box "Primary Contact/Author's Email" at AMCAS? (Interfolio mentioned about the former, thus I was confused.)
Click to expand...

It shouldn't matter. You would put the unique document email address if AMCAS were going to contact your letter writers directly to complete the transaction, but AMCAS won't. I would go with your letter writers' actual email addresses, but that's just me.

ceng2doc said:
2) Do I have to print out the "letter request form" for each of the "individual letter of evaluations" I entered at AMCAS? Do I have to re-request from all of my letter writers to resend their letters to Interfolio/AMCAS by attaching those bar-coded "letter request forms" to their letters? Isn't it silly? How is this gonna work?
Click to expand...

You do not need to send out the letter request forms to your letter writers. All you need is the AMCAS letter ID. Follow the instructions here.
 
I have a physician that I really clicked with that I want to ask for a letter of rec from. Unfortunately, I'm leaving for four weeks and won't be able to meet with her again until the first week in June, when letters are due to my committee by June 15 unless I want to wait for the next meeting and get my composite committee letter into AMCAS way later. Can I ask this doctor for a letter of rec over email or phone, or is that just not okay? Or should I just wait and get my letters in later?
 
MonicaMelquiade said:
Can I ask this doctor for a letter of rec over email or phone, or is that just not okay? Or should I just wait and get my letters in later?
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If you send a politely-worded email explaining your situation and your request, I don't see why at the very least asking wouldn't be okay.
 
I am thinking about minoring in music performance (clarinet) during my junior and senior year (it's a 2 year program) and I was wondering if I can get rec from my clarinet professor for my medical school app. Would this be ok? he's super nice and likes me.

thank you!
 
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