Question about Letters of Recommendation

[mjg713]

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I just had a quick question about the required Letters of Recommendation. I anticipate on applying this year but have yet to take the DAT and I am not exactly sure about my chances. If I end up not getting in, will I be able to reuse my letters? I would really hate/be embarrassed to go back to the professors/dentists I received the letters from and ask for another one. I know it seems like a minor issue, but it is something I have been worrying about for a while now.

 

[slm266]

Haven't taken DAT and don't have LORs? Don't waste your $, just apply next yr.

 

[sjv]

You can use the service Interfolio to store your letters for as long as you pay for the subscription and reuse if necessary. That being said, the above poster is right, wait until next cycle to apply if don't have LORs or DAT yet.

 

[hopefuldentist1]

You should check with your pre health advisory at your university. I know that my university, if we get our letters of recommendation through them, they keep them and save them for a very long time.

 

[mjg713]

Well if it matters, I can get the letters anytime I want. I shadowed a lot and have a dentist who will write me a good one, as well as multiple professors in science classes I did well in. I haven't taken the DAT yet because I haven't taken Organic Chemistry 2. But plan on taking it late Spring. I have no problem applying next cycle but since I am finishing a post bacc I am a little older than the trad applicant (I am 25). So really don't want to prolong this much longer.

 

[Jungerr]

If you're taking the DAT in the spring, that means you WILL be applying next cycle. We're halfway through this cycle already.

 

[mjg713]

Sorry, I meant next cycle. There is definitely no way I can apply this cycle. So hypothetically if I don't get in next cycle, can I reuse those letters the following year? I thought it is best for the letters to be dated very recently? Will they be too old?

 

[teal14]

You can ask the professors now or kit with them throughout the year, but get the submitted/dated letters in May just before you apply in June. I recommend Interfolio to store them.

 

[moler]

+1 on Interfolio. I've used it and it's great. Just hope that your recommender doesn't have any problems with using them. My pre-health advisor sure did...

 

[ATLien4evr]

+1 on Interfolio. I've used it and it's great. Just hope that your recommender doesn't have any problems with using them. My pre-health advisor sure did...

Wait. Does this mean that the people you get recommendations from have to sign up and pay to use Interfolio? How exactly do you store your LOR on Interfolio to be used for the next cycle?

 

[sjv]

Wait. Does this mean that the people you get recommendations from have to sign up and pay to use Interfolio? How exactly do you store your LOR on Interfolio to be used for the next cycle?

You pay for a subscription, you enter the letter writer's info and it sends them a link to upload the letter, Interfolio stores the letter and makes it available for use as long as your subscription is valid. When the AADSAS application opens, you essentially tell Interfolio to send the letters to AADSAS for the cycle, but they are still stored for future use on Interfolio if necessary.

 

[mjg713]

Should I be asking for my letters soon or wait more toward application time? (Will ask them to use Interfolio).

 

[Glimmer1991]

For you guys asking about Interfolio: check the AADSAS FAQs link in my signature.

 

[wruruwr6u]

Well if it matters, I can get the letters anytime I want