Question about LOR

[TypicalTuesday]

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I only have one LOR that has been turned in. I requested the other two letters 6-8 weeks ago and gave the attendings my cv/coversheet/stamped and addressed envelopes. One is from the head of our residency program and I saw him last week at a luncheon.

Should I remind them about it at this point, or would it be better to wait a week or two more to see if they get turned in? I don't want to be a nuisance but I'm getting kind of nervous since my application is otherwise complete and haven't heard much from the programs I've applied to (one program called and said they would offer an invite as soon as all the LORs were in).

Should I send a "thank you" card to them or would that be like a slap in the face?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

tt

 

[Psychopathology]

I'm in a similar situation. I touched base with my writers and am waiting to hear from them. I don't want to sound unappreciative or put all kinds of pressure on people who are offering me a tremendous favor, but I'm hoping to hear from the programs that are interested in me while there is still some flexibility in scheduling interviews and my school has a history of losing important letters such as the recommendations that may or may not have already been mailed.

Call me compulsive 🙂

Good luck.

 

[VickyPath]

I would definitely contact them. Right now you have to think about your future, not about whether they think you are a nuisance or not. You need those LOR's for your application, therefore, what I would suggest is that you send them an email (if you have their email) or talk to them and tell them that you were wondering whether they were able to send your LOR or not yet, that this is very important for you since their LOR will probably open many doors for you (just sugar coat it as much as you can).
Hope it helps.....and good luck!

 

[yaah]

You can always send a thank you note, and then add that your application has now been submitted and you are looking forward to the interview season or some such thing like that. Add something else, similar stuff, blah blah.

I guess an alternative is to ask your med school dean if this is normal (it probably happens) and maybe they can send a reminder for you - they are "allowed" to ask these things without seeming pushy since it's their job 😉

 

[Psychopathology]

I like the idea of having the dean's office contact authors on the applicant's behalf, but not all dean's offices are efficient. I would leave that task up to only the most diligent and responsive of dean's offices.

I think it's appropriate but less than ideal to remind letter writers that your application is complete as long as you convey respect and the appreciation they deserve. I felt like I had no choice in contacting my letter writers and there was probably no way that I could have avoided sounding pushy despite being polite.