Question about Reapplying and Letters of Recommendation

[kathase]

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So this was my 2nd year applying to dental school... I received a couple of interviews, but no acceptances. I am planning on re-applying next year and I wanted to use the same letters of recommendation from this year. Any advice on how best to approach the professors and phrase this request?

 

[cacajuate]

If you didn't get accepted, don't you think you should take more classes and raise your GPA? Thus allowing you to show new professors your determination and get more recent LOR?

 

[Myce]

So this was my 2nd year applying to dental school... I received a couple of interviews, but no acceptances. I am planning on re-applying next year and I wanted to use the same letters of recommendation from this year. Any advice on how best to approach the professors and phrase this request?

I think the best way to go about doing this is to email your professors and say that you're reapplying to dental school and ask if they can submit an LoR for you. Tell them that they don't need to write a new letter (which they don't because the same ones from last year are fine)--they just need to change the date on the letter from 2013 to 2014.

 

[kathase]

If you didn't get accepted, don't you think you should take more classes and raise your GPA? Thus allowing you to show new professors your determination and get more recent LOR?

I graduated in May 2013 and I'm currently working as a microbiologist. My GPA never came up as an issue during my interview, or when I spoke to the admissions committees regarding my application. The two professors I requested LORs from for the previous cycle knew me very well, and I think they would agree with me when I say that I think gaining professional experience will be more beneficial than going back to school to take more classes. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[kathase]

I think the best way to go about doing this is to email your professors and say that you're reapplying to dental school and ask if they can submit an LoR for you. Tell them that they don't need to write a new letter (which they don't because the same ones from last year are fine)--they just need to change the date on the letter from 2013 to 2014.

Thanks for the input. This was originally what I had planned on doing, but wasn't sure if it would be appropriate since professors usually expect some sort of formal request.

 

[Hippo529]

I had to do the same thing for this cycle. I just email them an update on where I stand on the application process and that I am considering reapplying again in the summer and they just told me to remind them again when the time comes for the LOR. I'm sure they understand!