Question about LOR’s

[SpideyMD]

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When can I start to get LOR’s? I’m going into junior year and was wondering if I could get professors to send LOR’s about me , to me, and then I can upload to my med school apps when I apply? Thanks guys

 

[Catalystik]

When can I start to get LOR’s? I’m going into junior year and was wondering if I could get professors to send LOR’s about me , to me, and then I can upload to my med school apps when I apply?

For LORs to be taken seriously in the med school application process, you need to waive your right to read them. Thus you will need a letter storage service if you want to start collecting them now, as you can't personally submit them. Your school may have one or your advisor may have another suggestion.

 

[keanureaves]

For LORs to be taken seriously in the med school application process, you need to waive your right to read them. Thus you will need a letter storage service if you want to start collecting them now, as you can't personally submit them. Your school may have one or your advisor may have another suggestion.

I agree with this, I believe Interfolio is the main one people use. I would say do this so once they submit to the service you won't be relying on or waiting on someone else. Two of the professors I wanted to write LOR ended up retiring prior to application planning so it can account for situations like that.

 

[SpideyMD]

For LORs to be taken seriously in the med school application process, you need to waive your right to read them. Thus you will need a letter storage service if you want to start collecting them now, as you can't personally submit them. Your school may have one or your advisor may have another suggestion.

Ok and does the med school application process have it’s own way of doing LOR’s? I might just wait till I apply to gather them now

 

[Catalystik]

Ok and does the med school application process have it’s own way of doing LOR’s? I might just wait till I apply to gather them now

There are three separate med school application processes in the US. Each one has their own "system."

Does your undergrad school provide a committee letter to those applying to med schools? You might look at their website and see what their LOR requirements are.

If you need to provide LORs independently, there's no reason not to start collecting them now, anyway, especially if you decide on a letter storage service that is free until you send them out. Just because you collect a letter doesn't mean you have to use it if a better one comes along for that category (science faculty, vs nonscience faculty, vs PI, vs, volunteer coordinator, vs employment, etc).

As @keanureaves points out, you never know when a prof will retire, leave for a sabbatical, die, change jobs, or whatever.

 

[keanureaves]

@Catalystik question related to LOR but slightly off topic - in your experience has a LOR every "pushed someone over the edge"? And is there greater weight to alumni LOR when applying to their school?

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik question related to LOR but slightly off topic -
1) in your experience has a LOR every "pushed someone over the edge"?
2) And is there greater weight to alumni LOR when applying to their school?

1) Yes, but this is rare for any one letter.
2) Not in my experience.

 

[yellowbus]

Slightly off topic but if my letters were written/sent to Interfolio last year (dated 5/2018), may I use those letters this year or do I need to update with this year's date? Thank you

 

[Catalystik]

Slightly off topic but if my letters were written/sent to Interfolio last year (dated 5/2018), may I use those letters this year or do I need to update with this year's date? Thank you

Are you out of school? Do you have any more recent letters? Do you have access to the letter writers?

 

[yellowbus]

Hi yes, I have been out of school since 2015
-I have 2 community college science professors and one doctor's letters dated 2019
-My 4 year college professors (sci/non-sci/advisers) and the physician I shadowed have letters dated 2018

I know this might sound silly but I think I feel guilty/embarrassed asking them to update the letters with current date when I may have to ask again next year (if this cycle isn't successful) but if not updating the dates will cause even a slight negative impression on my application, I can definitely ask for updates if you recommend.

Thank you

 

[Catalystik]

Hi yes, I have been out of school since 2015
-I have 2 community college science professors and one doctor's letters dated 2019
-My 4 year college professors (sci/non-sci/advisers) and the physician I shadowed have letters dated 2018

I know this might sound silly but I think I feel guilty/embarrassed asking them to update the letters with current date when I may have to ask again next year (if this cycle isn't successful) but if not updating the dates will cause even a slight negative impression on my application, I can definitely ask for updates if you recommend.

Thank you

I think you'll be fine without asking for rewritten dates this year. Once you have a predominence over two-years-old, it's time to try to get some of them redated.

 

[yellowbus]

Thank you so much