Pre-health packet tardiness question

[UCFKnight]

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Does anybody know how admissions committees will view a packet that is submitted relatively late? My pre-health committee is telling me it will be sometime in Sept when mine is sent out, so until then I am incomplete at all of my schools because of it.

Will they be able to see the dates on my LORs and realize I had them all together in time? All of this is really out of my control, so I am beginning to freak out.

I feel like this is what is ultimately dragging my application down. 🙁

 

[Irish Football]

Does your school's committee send out ALL of their students' packets out in Sept, or was it due to you delaying of something on your end? If the former, then it may be possible to explain this to schools. If the latter, then unfortunately it will decrease your chances slightly since it will be a little later on in the cycle when you're finally complete.

 

[Nandrolone]

go without the packet and submit the individual letters... I did, and have already received 2 interviews.

 

[jhuskp]

I would try speaking to someone on the pre-health committee, emphasizing that you are a reapplicant who is going to be considered late. Perhaps you could convince them to send the committee letter earlier.

If not, if your school sends everyone's letters late, console yourself with what LizzyM posted previously on the subject:

If a school is going to be late with committee letters they will be late for everyone at your school and we just wait patiently knowing that we're likely to need x interview slots for the excellent applicants from that school. We read applications over college football season (start slow in August, fading out in December) with the tail end coming during the Bowl games

 

[Irish Football]

If a school is going to be late with committee letters they will be late for everyone at your school and we just wait patiently knowing that we're likely to need x interview slots for the excellent applicants from that school. We read applications over college football season (start slow in August, fading out in December) with the tail end coming during the Bowl games

If the medical school application cycle is comparable to the college football season then I hope my application has more success at the end of the cycle than Notre Dame typically has had in its recent bowl games.

 

[UCFKnight]

Does your school's committee send out ALL of their students' packets out in Sept, or was it due to you delaying of something on your end? If the former, then it may be possible to explain this to schools. If the latter, then unfortunately it will decrease your chances slightly since it will be a little later on in the cycle when you're finally complete.

My packet is late because I was late to turn it in. However, I was late to turn it in because I was hoping I would get off of a waitlist. In hindsight, I should have been safe rather than sorry like I am now.

go without the packet and submit the individual letters... I did, and have already received 2 interviews.

I wish I could, but it is too late for that now (deadline for Letters Only was 8/15). Plus, the individual letter requirements of each school vary so much that even if I did, I wouldn't meet all of their requirements. Such as UMiami who has some of the most strict individual LOR requirements I have seen.

I would try speaking to someone on the pre-health committee, emphasizing that you are a reapplicant who is going to be considered late. Perhaps you could convince them to send the committee letter earlier.

If not, if your school sends everyone's letters late, console yourself with what LizzyM posted previously on the subject:

I have tried speaking with them numerous times, but they keep saying there is not much they can do because it would be unfair to those who turned theirs in before me (I agree even though it hurts to). However, I told them about my DO interview at Nova, and they said if Nova really needs them then they will see what they can do.


Thank you for all of the responses so far though! I know this is really setting me back. I was just hoping someone knew of something that might lift my spirits a bit :/

 

[Barcu]

This is a common problem, and it's completely out of you control. So, it's best not to worry about it.

On the bright side, September is only 10 days away. 👍

 

[idontcaureuknow]

Does anybody know how admissions committees will view a packet that is submitted relatively late? My pre-health committee is telling me it will be sometime in Sept when mine is sent out, so until then I am incomplete at all of my schools because of it.

Will they be able to see the dates on my LORs and realize I had them all together in time? All of this is really out of my control, so I am beginning to freak out.

I feel like this is what is ultimately dragging my application down. 🙁

Leave 'em be for the most part. They like to give late estimates. Last year they said I wouldn't be done till December, I was done first week of November. This year they said to expect it mid-July, and they had mine done end of June (I was in the same basic spot as you, but got my packet info in early).

Go Knights!

 

[UCFKnight]

Thanks everyone again for the words of wisdom and encouragement. I'm going to keep stressing regardless, but all of this is definitely helping to ease it.

 

[bearofthesnow]

Thanks everyone again for the words of wisdom and encouragement. I'm going to keep stressing regardless, but all of this is definitely helping to ease it.

I can sympathize. The Pre-Health committee at my school is planning to write my letter in September, despite me handing in my paperwork in June. It's unfortunate, but there is little I can do besides focusing on my Senior year instead. Best of luck!

 

[UCFKnight]

Yea it adds extra stress to a process that is already giving me grey hairs. The admissions director at UCF said I should be fine as long as I have everything else in. But I can't help but think I won't be.

 

[pietachok]

If you're really worried, I would ask the adviser if he/she thinks you should wait a year & have the packet sent out the first day possible. I ask because it doesn't sound like you know it's definitely going out in early September. I'm assuming you're a reapplicant because you have some weakness in.your application. This basically happened to me & I ended up applying a 3rd time (w/out committee letter) w everything submitted very early...it made a huge difference (like 1 interview vs 15). Obviously, you can't expect them to work faster on your packet when you submitted it late -- waiting may prevent negativity from that decision from leaking into your letter (how's the adviser reacting to your request?)

 

[Ruhroh]

If you're really worried, I would ask the adviser if he/she thinks you should wait a year & have the packet sent out the first day possible. I ask because it doesn't sound like you know it's definitely going out in early September. I'm assuming you're a reapplicant because you have some weakness in.your application. This basically happened to me & I ended up applying a 3rd time (w/out committee letter) w everything submitted very early...it made a huge difference (like 1 interview vs 15). Obviously, you can't expect them to work faster on your packet when you submitted it late -- waiting may prevent negativity from that decision from leaking into your letter (how's the adviser reacting to your request?)

.

 

[idontcaureuknow]

The thing with UCF is that the line for the committee letter starts in like February and fills up quickly by May. If you get your info in early, they are very timely. But if you have any hesitation you get screwed (like ucfknight this year)

 

[UCFKnight]

If you're really worried, I would ask the adviser if he/she thinks you should wait a year & have the packet sent out the first day possible. I ask because it doesn't sound like you know it's definitely going out in early September. I'm assuming you're a reapplicant because you have some weakness in.your application. This basically happened to me & I ended up applying a 3rd time (w/out committee letter) w everything submitted very early...it made a huge difference (like 1 interview vs 15). Obviously, you can't expect them to work faster on your packet when you submitted it late -- waiting may prevent negativity from that decision from leaking into your letter (how's the adviser reacting to your request?)

I'm not THAT worried about it at all. I have slight weaknesses in my application but nothing that is a red flag. Waiting a year is definitely not an option considering I have already turned in all of my secondaries. Also, I don't know it's going out EARLY Sept, just in Sept.

To anyone who read this post and became discouraged, don't be. I have spoken with admission directors and advisors and all have said Sept is NOT late for a committee letter as long as everything else is in. I'm confident I'll get at least a couple II from IS schools.