Question about LORs vs Committee Letter

[Dr Dimbsa]

Hey future dents,

I am applying this coming up June and it's coming up so fast. I am thinking about letters of recommendation requirements and it looks like most schools want a committee letter if your undergrad institution offers one. However, I've seen a lot of people say that they just end up sending separate LORs. Regardless, I plan on going through my school's committee which consists of 6-7 board members that will combine individual letters into one giant letter. Does this cover everything for the LOR section? Do I also need outside LORs from professors/dentists? Thanks for any help.

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[wwdentist]

Each school has their own requirements for LOR. Look at each school’s website to find their specific requirements for letters. Schools will specify if they want a letter from an employer/supervisor in addition to academic letters. AADSAS allows you to submit 1 committee letter and 1 individual letter, OR 4 individual letters. If you can’t meet all of the schools’ requirements with just the committee letter and 1 other letter, you can always send letters directly to the school. However, same rules apply to the letter even though you’re not submitting it through AADSAS (you may not see it, has to be signed on letterhead, etc.). If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email schools and ask what will satisfy their letter requirements.

 

[babytomato]

Would it be better to include a dentist LOR even if all of the schools I'm applying to don't require a dentist letter? I don't know any dentists who can write me a stellar recommendation but I could get one if I wanted to. Also just to be sure, once you submit your application you can't add any more letters of recommendations, right?

 

[artist2022]

Would it be better to include a dentist LOR even if all of the schools I'm applying to don't require a dentist letter? I don't know any dentists who can write me a stellar recommendation but I could get one if I wanted to. Also just to be sure, once you submit your application you can't add any more letters of recommendations, right?

I think it would be best to have a letter from a dentist since you're going to school to be a dentist after all.....

You can add LORs after you submit, iirc, but I don't think you can change the ones you already put down.

 

[babytomato]

I think it would be best to have a letter from a dentist since you're going to school to be a dentist after all.....

You can add LORs after you submit, iirc, but I don't think you can change the ones you already put down.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[slewis2288]

Hi all,

Is a committee letter one letter created by all of the faculty members? Or an introduction by an advisor followed by individual letters from each faculty member? I have read conflicting things.

 

[Aspire2Inspire17]

Hi all,

Is a committee letter one letter created by all of the faculty members? Or an introduction by an advisor followed by individual letters from each faculty member? I have read conflicting things.

A committee letter comprises all your faculty letters. I had two letters from science profs, and one from a dentist included in my committee letter. I believe my advisor put her statement of recommendation as well to introduce my committee letter components. I believe a comm letter looks to be polished, but it is not a deal breaker. Great individual letters are always awesome to have for your application. Double check the letter of recommendation requirements for each school to be sure you are including letters from the right professionals. Best of luck!

 

[slewis2288]

A committee letter comprises all your faculty letters. I had two letters from science profs, and one from a dentist included in my committee letter. I believe my advisor put her statement of recommendation as well to introduce my committee letter components. I believe a comm letter looks to be polished, but it is not a deal breaker. Great individual letters are always awesome to have for your application. Double check the letter of recommendation requirements for each school to be sure you are including letters from the right professionals. Best of luck!

Thank you! Right now I have 3 science professors, 1 research adviser and 1 dentist. I was wondering if I could possible combine all of the faculty into one letter, and have the dentist be separate. Otherwise I have to send that third science letter to the schools requiring it.

 

[TheDentalSchoolCoach]

Hi all,

Is a committee letter one letter created by all of the faculty members? Or an introduction by an advisor followed by individual letters from each faculty member? I have read conflicting things.

Committee letter includes multiple individual letters + your committee's evaluation of you. When I was at Penn, a committee letter was the default way to go. Now you can submit individual letters. But, a committee letter is recommended since it provides a holistic overview of the applicant that individual letter may fail to achieve sometimes.

 

[TheDentalSchoolCoach]

Hey future dents,

I am applying this coming up June and it's coming up so fast. I am thinking about letters of recommendation requirements and it looks like most schools want a committee letter if your undergrad institution offers one. However, I've seen a lot of people say that they just end up sending separate LORs. Regardless, I plan on going through my school's committee which consists of 6-7 board members that will combine individual letters into one giant letter. Does this cover everything for the LOR section? Do I also need outside LORs from professors/dentists? Thanks for any help.

You can add a separate letter on top of your school's evaluation. Preferably, it should come from a dentist since some schools require it.