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

[unleash500]

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Anyone have any insight?

Post secondary or post interview or both?

Variable depending on school?

 

[unepoire]

Definitely variable, depending on school.

I know for a fact that Duke doesn't look at recs until after they interview you - I received my interview invite and went to my interview day only to find that for some reason my letters could not be downloaded from VirtualEvals. It wasn't a problem as long as I got them in before committee meeting (unspecified, don't know if it's "rolling" meeting or if they meet more towards the March 15 date). My interviewer also specifically told me that he wanted to meet me because of my secondary essay response (so I guess they read those + your file to decide on interviews).

At one school (that I totally didn't remember now - I think it was Cornell or Emory), the interviewer asked me about one of my letters (my advisor apparently wrote about how I handled a specific situation during my time as the organization leader). So that school obviously read the letters first (but even then, no way to tell if it was pre- or post-interview invitation).

I wasn't asked about recommendations, nor were they really mentioned that I remember, in any other school I interviewed at.

 

[softballchic168]

My letters of rec are pretty amazing and from where i am from in Michigan every top school knows the doctor who wrote mine...can that help me if i have a 3.4 gpa and a 27 mcat and am re-taking it in august? Or will they not even look at my letters?

 

[Sammich117]

My letters of rec are pretty amazing and from where i am from in Michigan every top school knows the doctor who wrote mine...can that help me if i have a 3.4 gpa and a 27 mcat and am re-taking it in august? Or will they not even look at my letters?

Moving to appropriate thread

 

[mauberley]

I also have a slightly stupid question. When my professors are writing a letter of recommendation, can I have them write it, seal it in an envelope, give it to my advisor, then when the time comes, he can write the ID numbers on it? (I don't have one yet) Or do the professors need that ID # on it, write it on the letter themselves, then mail it in? I did read the topic and the links, but am still confused.

The letters themselves do not have to have the ID written on them. However, the letter request forms should be attached to the letters when they are mailed. Since the application is already open for this cycle, the question would be why you don't have IDs yet? It only takes a few minutes to create them.

 

[CougarMD]

Merging related threads

Anyone have any insight?

Post secondary or post interview or both?

Variable depending on school?

Definitely variable, depending on school.

I know for a fact that Duke doesn't look at recs until after they interview you - I received my interview invite and went to my interview day only to find that for some reason my letters could not be downloaded from VirtualEvals. It wasn't a problem as long as I got them in before committee meeting (unspecified, don't know if it's "rolling" meeting or if they meet more towards the March 15 date). My interviewer also specifically told me that he wanted to meet me because of my secondary essay response (so I guess they read those + your file to decide on interviews).

At one school (that I totally didn't remember now - I think it was Cornell or Emory), the interviewer asked me about one of my letters (my advisor apparently wrote about how I handled a specific situation during my time as the organization leader). So that school obviously read the letters first (but even then, no way to tell if it was pre- or post-interview invitation).

I wasn't asked about recommendations, nor were they really mentioned that I remember, in any other school I interviewed at.

 

[mauberley]

so for title do we put "Professor of ________" or do we just write "Professor"?

Okay, I'm not sure where the confusion is coming from. What is the "title" field to which you're referring? The field I'm referring to is called "letter title" and is optional. You can put "purple monkey dishwasher" if you want. It's for your use, so that you can distinguish between the different letters that you are entering.

The only other field I can find where you would have to put anything like what you're asking is in the Primary Author or Contact field. I completed that field as in the following example: "Dr. Soandso, Senior Lecturer," where "Senior Lecturer" is the position held by the letter writer. If that is what you are asking about, I would put "Professor of Blah" rather than just "Professor." I don't know if the entry form calls it out as a separate title, or whatever, because all that's available to me post-submission is to see the entire "Primary Author or Contact" field.

Can you describe the context in which you find this "Title"?

 

[cinematographie]

a couple of schools in florida require peer references and character letters. what should i ask my writers to evaluate me on (besides my character)? how well i play with others? lol thanks for the help!

 

[mauberley]

a couple of schools in florida require peer references and character letters. what should i ask my writers to evaluate me on (besides my character)? how well i play with others? lol thanks for the help!

Presumably qualities that you think will be an asset to you as a physician, but seriously, don't overthink this.

 

[Didntdoit]

Asked by letter writer to draft a LOR for myself for them to sign. Anyone ever have this happen to them?

 

[raltima07]

No, but according to SDN some people have been asked before

 

[lisi326]

Yep, this happens all the time in the post-undergrad world. I drafted 2 of my own letters from my grad professors.

It sucks, but at least you know (about) what they're turning in, right?

 

[rstilwel]

My genetics professor made me do this as well and I am an udergrad so it is a common occurrence. They just want to make sure that they write you a nice LOR and really give the reader a sense that they know very well even if they kind of do not. So just take a week to write up a nice rough draft with what you want them to talk about in the real LOR and it will be fine. Good Luck!

 

[phnerd1105]

Yeah my research PI asked me to do this since she's extremely busy. It's more common than you think. However, its a challenge in itself, as they want to see if you can write about your accomplishments and character without being too cocky.

 

[Dartmouth2005]

Yeah my research PI asked me to do this since she's extremely busy. It's more common than you think. However, its a challenge in itself, as they want to see if you can write about your accomplishments and character without being too cocky.

I get that impression too. FYI, you and I are both applying to a lot of the same schools.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Yeah I had to do this last year for a PI I worked with one summer. In this case though, I think it was because he didn't think he could write in English very well because while I was working for him he asked me to proofread stuff for him a few times. Anyway, you just have to sell yourself without going too overboard, like other people said before. Don't worry about it being "authentic" or not though...the professor should have the opportunity to look it over before he/she signs it and sends it in so if they disagree with anything they can change it.

I'd get used to it though cause like lisi326 said it happens all the time in the professional/post-undergrad world. The real reason is lots of people are too lazy/don't have enough time to write out your recommendation letter, so they'll just have you write it and look it over before you sign it.

 

[phnerd1105]

I get that impression too. FYI, you and I are both applying to a lot of the same schools.

👍 Good luck this app cycle! Maybe we'll run into each other at interviews!

 

[thespazz]

For the non-science faculty, would it be okay to get a LOR from a graduate student (PhD candidate)? I was in his history course.

Did he teach or head the class?

 

[Gogogirl]

Hey guys, just wondering:
Should I get a LOR from the head nurse who supervised my volunteer work for the past three years and who knows me well? Or should I get the LOR from a MD who knows me but not as well as the nurse? I mean, does it really matter if it comes from a nurse or a doctor? just someone who knows me right?

 

[MMADoc]

Yeah, I'm in this boat too...had to write three out of the five drafts for LORs. The main problem I had is that there are only so many ways to say you’re awesome without coming off as a douche. At least I was able to provide my letter writers with how I wanted to be presented.

 

[Staradmiral]

LOL you seem surprised

 

[pfaction]

I'm applying in 2012, that's why!

 

[Robinson Crusoe]

Doing that would scare me. Sure you will write good things, but maybe what you write won't actually read like a quality LOR. When I had my letter writers write their letters, I assumed that they had done it before and knew what to do to make a good letter. How long should it be? How many specifics and anecdotes should it include? Which of my attributes should it stress? I have no idea, but an experienced letter writer probably does. Do you know the answers to these questions?

 

[mauberley]

I'm applying in 2012, that's why!

In that case, I'd recommend using Interfolio to store your letters until you begin the application cycle.

 

[halethsonofhama]

I don't know specifics, but re-read your AMCAS application and think "what qualities of myself are not expressed or do I wish to emphasize?"

There was a lot about me that I left out of the PS, luckily my employer wrote a PS and let me give him talking points. This way I was able to use the LOR to cover any gaps I may have had in my application. (For example; if you lack leadership experience; find a way to work in the LOR that you have a certain leadership quality about yourself)

 

[abc8899]

My school does a committee letter and also sends a packet of letters (up to 10 pages). They required 3 science professors and at least 2 non-science professors to be submitted to them. I asked the head advisor and she said it would be okay if I had 7 letters. I will have 3 letters from science professors, and 4 other non-science (1 from a summer internship program, 2 from a health center where I volunteer, and 1 from the head of a leadership program I work with and will be interning next year.

My question is, should I have each of the 7 writers send their letters to AMCAS separately? I know some schools only need a committee letter but other say 5 letters, 3 letters, and other such combinations. I had originally planned on submitting just the committee letter or letter packet but I'm afraid that there may be too many letters and admissions may be mad. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[crystal87]

Hi,

I was wondering if you guys can give me some advice on my LORS (wasn't sure if I should post this here or in non-trad). I am essentially applying two years after I graduated from my undergrad (2009), and I plan on using the committee letter that I had composed for me then. Would it be absolutely necessary to get more recent LORS? I have been volunteering with my church since then, and definitely plan on writing about my experiences, but I don't really have a person (i.e. boss, overseer) to ask for a letter.

I did read somewhere that adcoms may be worried that a person might not be able to handle a heavy course load if she/he has been out of school for a while, but I did take the MCAT just last summer, if that is any indication...

Does anyone else have any experiences similar to this?
Thanks guys!

 

[pfaction]

In that case, I'd recommend using Interfolio to store your letters until you begin the application cycle.

I actually don't know what that is, but will Google it. I was going to ask my advisor to hold onto my letters until it is time to send them...what advantage does interfolio have?

 

[mauberley]

I actually don't know what that is, but will Google it. I was going to ask my advisor to hold onto my letters until it is time to send them...what advantage does interfolio have?

Easy submission of your letters to AMCAS and storage of your letters should you need them for other purposes, among other things.

 

[soccrwon]

Hello,

I asked for a letter of rec from a professor I did research with at Northwestern.

In the two years since my research, I have graduated, and said professor is now working as a teacher at University of Iowa.

When asking for a letter of rec, should I put their affiliation as University of Iowa (current) or Northwestern (the affiliation at time of my research?) And should I ask the letter writer to make sure it's on Northwestern stationary? Or is Iowa stationary acceptable?

Please help!

 

[theWUbear]

Did you guys let profs know about your impending application and progress throughout the application cycle (as common courtesy) even if you didn't end up using their LOR? I suppose in that situation it would be best to be upfront with them and let them know their letter wasn't used as well?

 

[ozzi22]

why?

 

[DAPI]

Did you guys let profs know about your impending application and progress throughout the application cycle (as common courtesy) even if you didn't end up using their LOR? I suppose in that situation it would be best to be upfront with them and let them know their letter wasn't used as well?

I would update them and thank them. I see no need to tell them you did not use their letter. I mean, if you are thanking the other writers, how hard is it to just change the professors name on the email and send it?

 

[theWUbear]

I think my school is going to upload my 7 LORs and 1 committee letter in a letter packet. If i select "letter packet" from AMCAS, will I be able to separate the letters in the packet to say which letters in the packet go to school, like you can select individual letters for each school? Or does the whole packet go or not go?

 

[mauberley]

I think my school is going to upload my 7 LORs and 1 committee letter in a letter packet. If i select "letter packet" from AMCAS, will I be able to separate the letters in the packet to say which letters in the packet go to school, like you can select individual letters for each school? Or does the whole packet go or not go?

It's all or nothing. From page 55 of the instruction manual:

Note: If a Committee Letter or Letter Packet for you is being sent to AMCAS, the entire Committee Letter or Letter Packet will be sent to the schools you've designated to receive this letter entry. AMCAS will not remove a letter from your packet once it has been received. Therefore, if you wish to send a letter specifically to one medical school, you should enter this as an individual letter and have it sent separately from the packet.

 

[Astarael]

I wrote all of my letter writers a thank-you note with an update when I was accepted. If they wrote you a letter, they helped you out whether or not you used it. Just don't go to the other extreme and send them all huge gift cards or something like that. A single, simple letter or card is enough.

 

[hownowmauvecow]

You will have to get new letters. Most programs will not accept letters that are more than 1 year old. Someone please correct me if I wrong though. Plus you will probably want your committee letter to reflect your most recent accomplishments. I would go back to the school you graduated from and see if they will write you a new letter, I know mine does for graduates no matter how long ago they were in school.

 

[BiopsychStudent]

I don't think it should be much trouble for asking your writers to update the letters. All they'll really need to do is change some numbers around.

 

[yftyt2006]

All,

This might be a very ridiculous question but I was hoping some could offer personal experience on this matter.

I graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering and took the majority of my BCPM classes my freshman year and did not know any of them well enough to ask for a letter of recommendation. I have found out from the majority of schools that engineering professors' letters will count as science.

However, there are many schools that require non-science letters. I had quite a bit of advanced standing for my general education requirements and have not taken any non-science classes recently.

Now for the question. When a school asks for a non-science letter, is there any leniency if you do not submit one? Or do they just throw your application to the side and forget about you?

I know I cannot get a non-science letter and am wondering if I should just concede that I will not be applying to any of those schools.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[mauberley]

All,

This might be a very ridiculous question but I was hoping some could offer personal experience on this matter.

I graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering and took the majority of my BCPM classes my freshman year and did not know any of them well enough to ask for a letter of recommendation. I have found out from the majority of schools that engineering professors' letters will count as science.

However, there are many schools that require non-science letters. I had quite a bit of advanced standing for my general education requirements and have not taken any non-science classes recently.

Now for the question. When a school asks for a non-science letter, is there any leniency if you do not submit one? Or do they just throw your application to the side and forget about you?

I know I cannot get a non-science letter and am wondering if I should just concede that I will not be applying to any of those schools.

Thanks for any advice.

Contact the schools directly and ask them. Propose alternate sources and see if they're acceptable (employers, volunteer supervisors, etc.). When I applied, the schools I contacted with respect to my own situation thought my letters (bio lecturer, employer, volunteer supervisor) were acceptable.

 

[yftyt2006]

Contact the schools directly and ask them. Propose alternate sources and see if they're acceptable (employers, volunteer supervisors, etc.). When I applied, the schools I contacted with respect to my own situation thought my letters (bio lecturer, employer, volunteer supervisor) were acceptable.

Thank you for the input. I'll definitely take this route. Glad to know other people have encountered this issue.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Thank you for the input. I'll definitely take this route. Glad to know other people have encountered this issue.

While its a good idea to contact each school individually, the purpose of getting non-science letters is to see that you are a well rounded, educated individual with more than just the ability to engineer (otherwise you should go to grad school and build bridges, quite literally).

There has to be someone, somewhere, some person that isn't involved in science. There has got to be some mentor, some dean, some counselor, something you've done whether it was theater lighting, painting, IM football, Call of Duty WarGamers Club, SOMETHING other than engineering. The power of the person writing the letter is not always as important as what is said.

Good luck, but be cautious about ignoring rules. Getting into medical school is 20% trying out the school and 80% selling yourself. Why take you when they could easily take you who did something else and could get the letter?

 

[soccrwon]

Hello,

I asked for a letter of rec from a professor I did research with at Northwestern.

In the two years since my research, I have graduated, and said professor is now working as a teacher at University of Iowa.

When asking for a letter of rec, should I put their affiliation as University of Iowa (current) or Northwestern (the affiliation at time of my research?) And should I ask the letter writer to make sure it's on Northwestern stationary? Or is Iowa stationary acceptable?

Please help!

Bumpity bump? Lend me your wisdom!

 

[NickNaylor]

Unless you feel the need to, I don't think they'll care if you keep them informed. If they're curious they'll ask.

 

[Gogogirl]

Hey guys, I have a question:
I did about 400 hours of volunteer over two years at a local hospital under the supervision of the nurse manager in that unit...I am not sure if I should ask her for a LOR since she is kinda unpredictable..How bad would it reflect on my application if I did all the hours but didn't get a LOR?
p.s. I did talk about the volunteer experience in my PS though...millions thanks in advance..🙂

 

[apumic]

I'd keep them updated in the sense that you tell them once accepted. Don't both them with weekly updates or anything excessive like that, though, and, as others have suggested, DON'T tell anyone you didn't use their letter. That might come off a bit offensively and, really, there's nothing to be gained from it (but plenty to be lost -- you might need that person to help you out again in the future). As for gift cards and whatnot, I wouldn't suggest that BUT I'd totally suggest making something for them. One thing that works great is to make all of your LOR writers some sort of snack (e.g., a huge batch of cookies and give each letter writer a dozen). Along with said cookies, include a handwritten (NOT typed -- more personal) thank you. This will undoubtedly remind any lagging profs of your request as well.... (You think them even if they haven't actually submitted said letter yet. It's a nice way to remind them w/o seeming like you're nagging them.)

 

[pfaction]

I'll add onto gogogirl, because the hospitals I shadowed at, I wouldn't want a LOR either. I was in contact with no one personally, and the work I did...I barely did any patient stuff. Mind you, I DID go through the ICUs and watch and stuff, but was in no personal contact with anyone. So I accumulated at least 100 hours and I have no one to get a LOR from either.


Did everyone use their 10 max?

 

[mauberley]

Bumpity bump? Lend me your wisdom!

I would recommend listing them in their current capacity. In their letter, they will indicate in what context they interacted with you.

 

[235009]

definitely don't tell someone that you didn't use their letter!

updating professors (once you are accepted) is a nice gesture ...writing a good LOR is a bit of work so it is nice for them to hear that their letter was well received. also if you are asking someone to write you a letter you presumably had some sort of extra contact with that professor so they might remember you. this might not be particularly true for large pre-med classes though where the prof writes letters for a few dozen premeds each year

 

[CougarMD]

Merging related threads

All,

This might be a very ridiculous question but I was hoping some could offer personal experience on this matter.

I graduated with a degree in biomedical engineering and took the majority of my BCPM classes my freshman year and did not know any of them well enough to ask for a letter of recommendation. I have found out from the majority of schools that engineering professors' letters will count as science.

However, there are many schools that require non-science letters. I had quite a bit of advanced standing for my general education requirements and have not taken any non-science classes recently.

Now for the question. When a school asks for a non-science letter, is there any leniency if you do not submit one? Or do they just throw your application to the side and forget about you?

I know I cannot get a non-science letter and am wondering if I should just concede that I will not be applying to any of those schools.

Thanks for any advice.

Contact the schools directly and ask them. Propose alternate sources and see if they're acceptable (employers, volunteer supervisors, etc.). When I applied, the schools I contacted with respect to my own situation thought my letters (bio lecturer, employer, volunteer supervisor) were acceptable.

Thank you for the input. I'll definitely take this route. Glad to know other people have encountered this issue.

While its a good idea to contact each school individually, the purpose of getting non-science letters is to see that you are a well rounded, educated individual with more than just the ability to engineer (otherwise you should go to grad school and build bridges, quite literally).

There has to be someone, somewhere, some person that isn't involved in science. There has got to be some mentor, some dean, some counselor, something you've done whether it was theater lighting, painting, IM football, Call of Duty WarGamers Club, SOMETHING other than engineering. The power of the person writing the letter is not always as important as what is said.

Good luck, but be cautious about ignoring rules. Getting into medical school is 20% trying out the school and 80% selling yourself. Why take you when they could easily take you who did something else and could get the letter?