*~*~*~*Official Letters of Recommendation Questions Thread 2012-2013*~*~*~*

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Hey guys, I am waiting on one last letter and my secondaries are already coming in. Can I submit my secondaries or must I wait until the letter packet is sent. Thank you!
 
Turpulus said:
How important is the official letterhead with a hand written signature? I'm not 100% sure, but I think some of my recommenders typed up a recommendation in MS Word and uploaded it to AMCAS. They obviously have their name and contacti info on there, but I'm just not sure about the hand written signature or the "official" letterhead. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

i have the same question. i am pretty sure my writers used official letterhead, but i doubt they freakin made an image file of their signature and pasted it on the document.

is this bad?
 
Do adcoms care if I just submit extra LOE's to each school? I had 5 LOEs (2 science, 2 non science, 1 doctor) and i just submitted all 5 of these to all my schools. starting to think it was a bad idea...any thoughts? If its bad how should i fix?
 
nah it's fine. i think 6 is the maximum?
 
Is it worth signing up for a non-science course just to get a non-science faculty LOR?

What if it's an online course?


Background:

I'm a non-traditional student and taking the general science requirements. I won't be able to get a non-science faculty letter unless I enroll in another non-science course. I have awesome non-science LOR's from supervisors / employers. There is a world religion course at my University in the fall that seems really interesting, I'd actually just take it to learn but I might actually be able to apply what I learn to patient interaction. The problem is - it's an online course. The teacher does have regular office hours so I'm assuming I could establish a relationship with him. Would this be worth it?
 
I just got verified on Friday but on the secondaries I received it says that LORs are not in yet how long does that take after verification?
 
One of my prof said he would write me a LOR when I asked him 3.5 months ago.
Spoke with like 2 weeks ago and he said he would send it in in a week which he hasnt
Still hasnt sent it in so I found another prof
:/

I dont need his letter anymore but I wont tell him. Wasted my time waiting for him
 
Am I permitted to send my letters of recommendation to a third party, e.g., a friend, premed adviser, etc., to evaluate which ones are strongest? For example, I have two clinical experiences and received letters from both, but I would just like to send the stronger of the two. Can I have someone evaluate their relative strengths for me in order to determine which one to send?
 
I'm getting a letter of recommendation from a MD in Taiwan. Which method is easier for him to send the letter to AAMC? He is really busy so I don't want him to waste his time mailing it in a hard copy.Does the AAMC verification system require him to register a user name?
 
This question may have been answered already but how do medical schools know who the letter writers are (whether they're a science prof, non-science prof, or research etc)? I don't remember entering that information for the letter request form. Is it something that the letter writers fill out?
 
yourdudeness said:
Am I permitted to send my letters of recommendation to a third party, e.g., a friend, premed adviser, etc., to evaluate which ones are strongest? For example, I have two clinical experiences and received letters from both, but I would just like to send the stronger of the two. Can I have someone evaluate their relative strengths for me in order to determine which one to send?
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bump
 
One of my LoR writers can't upload his letter. If he sends it by mail to AMCAS will it be digitized for the medical schools? Im confused since some schools specify they don't want hard copies of letters...
 
hey guys, got a quick question. are there any other schools that review applications and send out IIs without looking at the committee letter (like mayo)? my school sends them out really late and im trying to figure out which secondaries to work on first.

Thanks a bunch
 
After all of my letters are in and received by AMCAS, do I need to submit/forward them to the schools via the AMCAS letter service, or does AMCAS do it automatically?

Edit: I figured it out; Automatically
 
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turpulus said:
how important is the official letterhead with a hand written signature? I'm not 100% sure, but i think some of my recommenders typed up a recommendation in ms word and uploaded it to amcas. They obviously have their name and contacti info on there, but i'm just not sure about the hand written signature or the "official" letterhead. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

same question!!
 
My goodness, waiting on your committee to send out your CL after your application is processed and all of your secondaries are in may be the most frustrating thing in the world. :eyebrow: Come on committee! Write!
 
kleenic said:
my goodness, waiting on your committee to send out your cl after your application is processed and all of your secondaries are in may be the most frustrating thing in the world. :eyebrow: Come on committee! Write!
Click to expand...

+1
 
I'm having an interview at a school at the end of September. I looked at their website and realized that I am short one LOR. Do you think it would be okay if I submit an LOR after the interview?

Of course, I'll try to see if I can get someone to write and submit asap, but just thinking about worst case scenario.
 
does amcas send your letters to schools as they are received?

my 2 science and 1 non-science letters are uploaded already, while my lab and additional ones are not in yet.

do i need all 5 in before they are sent to schools? i just submitted dartmouth's secondary, and it says they don't have my letters yet even though the 3 have been uploaded for 2 weeks.
 
Hey guys,

(apologies if this is a common question): I just started a 1-year-master's, and many secondaries give the option to include a graduate professor letter.

Obviously, I wouldn't be able to get this until the end of the semester. My question is: won't my application be reviewed super late if I decide to send a graduate letter??? Doesn't this hurt my chances?

I would appreciate any advice! Not sure what to do...😕
 
propagandapanda said:
Hey guys,

(apologies if this is a common question): I just started a 1-year-master's, and many secondaries give the option to include a graduate professor letter.

Obviously, I wouldn't be able to get this until the end of the semester. My question is: won't my application be reviewed super late if I decide to send a graduate letter??? Doesn't this hurt my chances?

I would appreciate any advice! Not sure what to do...😕
Click to expand...

Complete your app without the letter. When it gets time to get the letter, you can try sending it as an update to schools that haven't invited your for an interview yet. Whatever you do, don't delay your app over that letter.
 
This has probably been answered 15 times in this thread and you all hate me but if your school has a committee that will write a letter, do you still need the 2 science prof 1 non-science letters? Obviously they are worth getting just in case but I was under the impression that a lot of schools couldn't care less about the professor letters if you have a committee letter.
 
Complete your app without the letter. When it gets time to get the letter, you can try sending it as an update to schools that haven't invited your for an interview yet. Whatever you do, don't delay your app over that letter.

Thanks so much Fivo! One more quick question: if some schools actually require a graduate letter as long as I'm in a program, should I forgo mentioning that I'm in a program at all?
At the moment I've been responding to the "what are your plans" question with the master's program, but if I don't want to delay my app...leave it out and use it as an update later? I don't want to get accused of lying or something!
 
So quick question: what are the writers supposed to do with the Letter Request Form? Just attach to the letter or what?
 
Do the LOR have to be received by the application deadline for the school or is there a separate deadline for letters?

For example, the school I want to apply to has an October 15 application deadline. Does this mean that my LORs have to be received by then?
 
I'm sorry that I did not look over all pages.

Here is my situation. I graduated in 2008, I had a professor for Ochem that said he would write me a letter as he knows me very well. I was planning on swinging by his office and asking him if he felt he could write me a great letter with the packet in tote. Is a random swing by ok, or should I email him and ask to set up an appointment? It has been said do not ask over email so I guess the email will be very short and brief. What do you guys think? Email or just go to his office?

Thanks!
 
How would you guys approach an ex-employer who knows you personally and professionally very well however lacks the "formal education" to produce a good letter. My ex-supervisor is a great woman, but she had a tough life growing up and got a GED. I trust her wholeheartedly with what she will say, but how can I ensure everything is geared toward medical school (and grammatically correct) without seeing it? If she sends it to a premed committee how might I say this to them without sounding suspicious or condescending?
 
medguy13 said:
So quick question: what are the writers supposed to do with the Letter Request Form? Just attach to the letter or what?
Click to expand...

Yes, if they are mailing it, mail it along with the letter. The same goes for them faxing/uploading it online.

green3710 said:
Do the LOR have to be received by the application deadline for the school or is there a separate deadline for letters?

For example, the school I want to apply to has an October 15 application deadline. Does this mean that my LORs have to be received by then?
Click to expand...

That usually means your primary application has to be submitted to them by that date. They will let you know if your LoRs have a deadline.

jmart said:
I'm sorry that I did not look over all pages.

Here is my situation. I graduated in 2008, I had a professor for Ochem that said he would write me a letter as he knows me very well. I was planning on swinging by his office and asking him if he felt he could write me a great letter with the packet in tote. Is a random swing by ok, or should I email him and ask to set up an appointment? It has been said do not ask over email so I guess the email will be very short and brief. What do you guys think? Email or just go to his office?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think it depends on how well you know the professor and the ease/convenience of stopping by his office. Feel free to drop by if you know he wouldn't perceive you as a bore or annoyance. If you think he might feel that way, then send him a brief email about meeting. However, depending on how soon you need the LoR, emailing them would require you to actually wait for their response before proceeding, whereas just showing up will get the job done quicker.


novafan3000 said:
How would you guys approach an ex-employer who knows you personally and professionally very well however lacks the "formal education" to produce a good letter. My ex-supervisor is a great woman, but she had a tough life growing up and got a GED. I trust her wholeheartedly with what she will say, but how can I ensure everything is geared toward medical school (and grammatically correct) without seeing it? If she sends it to a premed committee how might I say this to them without sounding suspicious or condescending?
Click to expand...


Understandable. You can look online or search through past threads for templates on what is needed in a good letter of recommendation. There are even templates of student's writing their own letters. In your case, it might be wise to write your own letter and then pitch it to her to add or remove what she sees fit and then to upload it as normal.
 
What not only qualifies but stands out as a great non-science based LOR?
 
I have submitted secondaries for schools but have been waiting to enter the details for a science professor's LOR on AMCAS until I am absolutely sure he will be able to send it in on time. Two schools have stated that my application is complete with them. Should I hold off still with entering his information, or submit their information and hope that this will not leave me out of the running so late in the application year? I am just torn between entering my secondaries early and having another LOR.
 
I searched for this on this thread and it didn't seem to be addressed previously...

What are anyone's thoughts on using politicians as sources of letters of recommendation? Like local legislature? Even if that person does not know the applicant at all?

I've heard of this being done numerous times - most recently a friend of mine - and personally, I find it to be rather questionable.
 
I am most concerned about my LOR's. I graduated this year but do not intend on applying to medical school till next summer, possibly summer of 2014. I did not feel I created strong enough relationships with any professors or advisers to the point of being able to ask for a LOR. (2 years at Virginia Tech and 2 years at UMBC).

So that leaves me with..... no one.

Should I pick up some random classes at the local campus (I just moved to California and am closest to Stanford) and try my luck at forming a relationship with the professor for that single semester class?
 
This might be kind of odd... but are there any letter review services? My PI was strapped for time when she wrote me a LOR, and I want to make sure it is a good one. She's usually not the type to rush through something, but I would feel better knowing that she wrote me a solid letter.
 
I made a clerical mistake in entering in an LOR on my AMCAS. This occured after I submitted the primary but before I sent my letters from Interfolio. So I created a new, correct letter entry and sent the letter using the new letter ID. Unfortunately on the first five or so schools, I selected the old letter with the old ID. Should I just list the new letter as being sent (which in all actuallity will be the only one received) and just email each school about the mistake and explain while they will see entries from AMCAS for two identical letters with varying ID's?
 
2 questions:

- Is there a way to use Interfolio that's free? I want to use it for some additional LORs since time's running out, but it seems like it's only a pay service.

- Certain schools say they need a complete file by 11/1, but I'm still waiting for some letters. As long as I've entered the letters in AMCAS and submitted my secondary I should be fine right. Usually those complete file deadlines give leeway for late letters, right?
 
I asked a professor for a letter nearly 4 months ago, and he is the only one that has not submitted it yet. I took a graduate course with him, and thus need his letter for certain schools. I have emailed him about it before (about once a month after the first month) and the last time (two weeks ago), he said he would have it done in "short order," but has still not submitted it. I'm not sure what to do, and am at wit's end. This is the only letter I am waiting for, and I'm wasting my money sending secondaries if he's not going to submit it by the deadline.
 
als130 said:
I asked a professor for a letter nearly 4 months ago, and he is the only one that has not submitted it yet. I took a graduate course with him, and thus need his letter for certain schools. I have emailed him about it before (about once a month after the first month) and the last time (two weeks ago), he said he would have it done in "short order," but has still not submitted it. I'm not sure what to do, and am at wit's end. This is the only letter I am waiting for, and I'm wasting my money sending secondaries if he's not going to submit it by the deadline.
Click to expand...

you need to go visit him in person. If this isn't feasible, then either call his office or call him directly on his cell phone. And lastly, if you have to email him, do it every other day if you have to. Now is the time where any more BS from him will keep you out of medical school. If at all possible, try contacting the schools who need his LOR and aware them of the situation; see if you can have it waived.

Either way, get on his ass asap. Good luck!
 
Fivo said:
you need to go visit him in person. If this isn't feasible, then either call his office or call him directly on his cell phone. And lastly, if you have to email him, do it every other day if you have to. Now is the time where any more BS from him will keep you out of medical school. If at all possible, try contacting the schools who need his LOR and aware them of the situation; see if you can have it waived.

Either way, get on his ass asap. Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thanks Fivo. I hate feeling like I'm bothering someone, especially if he has something else going on in his life that may preclude him from writing the letter. But in my last correspondence, I said very clearly (and diplomatically) that my applications were complete, and would only be processed pending the receipt of the remaining letter. I also asked him to let me know if he wasn't able to write it at this point, and I would pursue another option. He told me he would write it, though. Ugh. No fun.
 
Sorry if these questions have been asked before but I'm new to this forum.

I am graduating Spring 2013 and am planning on doing a 1-yr Masters in Global Medicine before applying to medical school. Consider it my personal Post-Bacc and/or SMP.

This Masters program requires 3 LOR, and I would like to use those LOR when applying to med school. I mean, do profs really want to be bothered to write a similar LOR all over again for the same student continuing the same career aspirations?

My questions are:

1) Can you keep LORs on Interfolio and reuse them for Masters level and Med school?

2) Can a PI cover your science LOR?
I did a volunteer internship over the summer on cancer research, but it was not wet-lab work. I carried over this internship into the Fall semester, however, it is now for class credit. It is under "Directed Research in Biomedical Science". I am doing the same work, as well as attending mandatory didactic classes, where various profs/med professionals come and speak about various biomed topics for this same class. If my PI talked about my work ethic and maybe what I have learned from those didactic sessions and incorporated it into the internship, would she be a good person to ask for a science LOR?

I appreciate a response. Thanks.
 
Do people only use Interfolio if their undergrad school doesn't do a committee letter (or if you're a nontrad and not using a committee letter)? I never understood this so I'm just wondering. Doesn't the pre med committee collect all your letters and send them altogether so you don't have to do any of that yourself?
 
Hi all,

I have already submitted all of my secondaries, but I recently received a letter of recommendation that I was waiting on for months. I submitted without it, and got some interview invites, but I feel like it is important.

Is it generally acceptable to add a letter while waiting to hear back for interviews?

Does this make your app temporarily "incomplete" or anything?

**Edited to add: what about submitting the additional letter after being interviewed? Is that unusual?

Thanks for the input!
 
Last edited:
Hi everyone,

I apologize if this question has already been answered. I'd like to have a letter writer add a particular letter of recommendation for only one school: is there a way to do this on AMCAS? Or when they upload the letter, does it get uploaded for all schools? This is through the AMCAS Letter Writer Application. Thanks in advance!
 
enantio1988 said:
Hi everyone,

I apologize if this question has already been answered. I'd like to have a letter writer add a particular letter of recommendation for only one school: is there a way to do this on AMCAS? Or when they upload the letter, does it get uploaded for all schools? This is through the AMCAS Letter Writer Application. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Make a new LOR entry on your amcas app and only assign the letter to the specific school you want it to go to. The letter will only get uploaded to the schools you designate. If you make the new entry only designated to one school, then you're good to go.
 
Fivo said:
Make a new LOR entry on your amcas app and only assign the letter to the specific school you want it to go to. The letter will only get uploaded to the schools you designate. If you make the new entry only designated to one school, then you're good to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much Fivo!
 
I'm finding it really hard to get two science letters. I'm applying this upcoming summer, but all of the science profs i've asked so far have said that they are full in the limit of letters they can write. What can I do? Will it be a complete red flag if I don't have science letters or only 1?

Also, will a behavioral neuroscience course count? It was through the psych dept. but the professor is the Chair of Neuroscience.
 
TheThirdLevel said:
I'm finding it really hard to get two science letters. I'm applying this upcoming summer, but all of the science profs i've asked so far have said that they are full in the limit of letters they can write. What can I do? Will it be a complete red flag if I don't have science letters or only 1?

Also, will a behavioral neuroscience course count? It was through the psych dept. but the professor is the Chair of Neuroscience.
Click to expand...

You need to do whatever you can to get that 2nd science letter. If you don't, you're going to disqualify yourself from a lot of schools. I don't think that class will qualify as a science letter since it's given in the psych department, regardless of the writer's title.
 
I have worked as a scribe for 2+ years and will be obtaining a letter from an ED physician I have worked with. Two physicians have offered to write me letters. Would it be excessive/do any harm to include both or should I just stick with one? Both physicians are dramatically different in terms of personality and I think each would be unique in my assessment. Additionally, one would be more casual/personal in tone while the other would definitely be more professional but certainly strong nonetheless. If only choosing one, which would be ideal? If it helps, my other letters will come from 2 Science Profs and a writing professor.

Thanks!
 
aiwe said:
Hi all,

I have already submitted all of my secondaries, but I recently received a letter of recommendation that I was waiting on for months. I submitted without it, and got some interview invites, but I feel like it is important.

Is it generally acceptable to add a letter while waiting to hear back for interviews?

Does this make your app temporarily "incomplete" or anything?

**Edited to add: what about submitting the additional letter after being interviewed? Is that unusual?

Thanks for the input!
Click to expand...

This.

I'm sending updates to some of the schools I'm still waiting to hear from, and I have an additional rec letter I would like to attach. Do I still go through AMCAS? Or should I just email it over as a PDF or something?
 
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