question regarding AADSAS and LORs

[zellyen]

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so since I am applying next cycle I am getting my LORs ready right now, however, I have a question...

when i ask for a LOR, do I ask in paper form and send it to the schools centralized service or ask for it electronically since that is what the AADSAS is right?

sorry about the newb questions, just kind of confused... if there's a guide somewhere link me thanks

 

[vlct0ria]

so since I am applying next cycle I am getting my LORs ready right now, however, I have a question...

when i ask for a LOR, do I ask in paper form and send it to the schools centralized service or ask for it electronically since that is what the AADSAS is right?

sorry about the newb questions, just kind of confused... if there's a guide somewhere link me thanks

It can be done either way, usually depends on the professor's preference. I think electronic submission is much easier/faster for them and for us (otherwise you have to print matching forms/wait for mailing time, etc), so I would try to nudge them that way if ya can. 😀

 

[zellyen]

since i havent applied yet i dont know how the electronic things work. do i create an account and have teachers just submit a letter online? how do they sign? etc... no idea here sorry >.<

 

[Herme]

since i havent applied yet i dont know how the electronic things work. do i create an account and have teachers just submit a letter online? how do they sign? etc... no idea here sorry >.<

In mid-May to June 1 2010, AADSAS will make the application available. You will create a new account with AADSAS after the application cycle starts, then you will have access to the application. There is a tab in the application for you to enter those who will submit your LORs. next to their name, you select either "paper" or "electronic". If paper, then you must print off a LOE Matching form which you then give to your professor or whoever is writing the letter. they must include that matching form with the letter to prevent delays with AADSAS getting it matched with your application. Should you select "electronic" then you must also enter an email address for the recommender. Once you save that info in the application, AADSAS automatically sends an email to the address(es) you provided that contains a link for the recommender to follow. They will then paste or attach the letter they have prepared and click "submit." All done!

The best way to do this is line up those who will prepare letters for you NOW. Let them know that AADSAS will need them by early June and explain to them the above so they understand how it works. The idea is to have them complete you letter before june 1-ish and just save it on their computer. Then, once they receive the email from AADSAS, it takes a few minutes to submit it. The benefit of going electronic is that the letters are instantly matched with your application.

If you can have all of this understood by everyone involved, it will get your application complete very quickly and will also help you avoid having to keep contacting recommenders and begging them to please submit your letter. I have heard some horror stories about that!

Arrange Early! Follow-up!

 

[zellyen]

hey thx for all the help, yea i am trying to start like right now so i dont procrastinate in the end

but another question: if by paper letter, can i get the matching form now? or do i have to make an account and get it then? sorry for all these questions

 

[Herme]

hey thx for all the help, yea i am trying to start like right now so i dont procrastinate in the end

but another question: if by paper letter, can i get the matching form now? or do i have to make an account and get it then? sorry for all these questions

No, you cannot get the matching form now. You cannot get it until after the application cycle opens and you create your account and specify the recommenders because each matching form will print out with all of the recommender's info preprinted, as well as your AADSAS ID #(which will not exist until you create your account) and a bar code that AADSAS will scan to speed up matching it to your form.

The matching forms are not required, but you run the risk of delaying your LOEs being matched to your application.

I would highly recommend trying to utilized the email feature. Another bonus is that AADSAS automatically generates emails to you when your reviewer receives the original AADSAS email with the link, as well as when your evaluator submits your letter, so you will be able to monitor who has/hasn't submitted you LOEs without ever contacting them.

 

[zellyen]

so basically i would still have to have an account for the emails to be sent correct?

and so does this mean that they have to send the paper letter (if they so choose) to the central services in the school WITH the matching form?

those are basically my last questions, thanks for all the help

 

[Herme]

so basically i would still have to have an account for the emails to be sent correct?

and so does this mean that they have to send the paper letter (if they so choose) to the central services in the school WITH the matching form?

those are basically my last questions, thanks for all the help

Yes, that is how AADSAS prefers it to be done if by paper. The letter and matching form would go together in the same envelope to AADSAS. Also, on the LOE matching form, there is actually a place for you to sign and date acknowledging whether or not you waive access to the letter (meaning that you will never see what it says), so if your evaluators are not near you, you'd have to print it, sign it, and mail or fax it to them-or print it, sign it, scan it, and email it to them. Regardless, they will need it before they mail your LOE to AADSAS.

On a side note, there is a very similar matching form that must accompany all of your transcripts to AADSAS also.

Glad to help! I went through it 3 times before I got in, so I'd like to think I'm familiar with the process. 🙂 Remember, timing is critical! Apply right when the cycle opens, and follow up with everything to make sure it is all complete as early as possible!

 

[zellyen]

ok ty ^^

sorry i am being paranoid here, so basically I cant have anything submitted until the cycle opens up in may? then i can enter the recommender's email address (both professors and dentists?) and the website will send them the notification?

also, how do they confirm that they are actually the professors? is there a way of electronically signing things or what not?

PS: it seems AADSAS allows me to create a new account right now... is that an error? I know i said the previous post was my last question ,but im just really paranoid >.<

 

[Herme]

ok ty ^^

sorry i am being paranoid here, so basically I cant have anything submitted until the cycle opens up in may? then i can enter the recommender's email address (both professors and dentists?) and the website will send them the notification?

also, how do they confirm that they are actually the professors? is there a way of electronically signing things or what not?

PS: it seems AADSAS allows me to create a new account right now... is that an error? I know i said the previous post was my last question ,but im just really paranoid >.<

Exactly. Until AADSAS opens up the cycle for the next application, you cannot do anything. The account it is allowing you to create right now is for the class beginning dental school in August 2010-which is not the year you want. The current cycle will close within the next few months, and then AADSAS will post the date that the next cycle will become available. This past year, it opened on June 1, the 2 years before that, it opened around May 15. When they close the cycle, all of the accounts are wiped out-meaning each year you start fresh. You will get a whole new ID # and everything-so don't bother going through everything now-unless you want to just get into the application, fill everything out now, and then print it so that when the new cycle opens, you can just reenter everything from your printout. that actually is not a bad idea.

As far as confirming your evaluators, there is nothing that is done on your end. I think there may be a few questions the evaluator has to answer in the portal, but maybe not even that. There may be some type of electronic signature. Or maybe just the Honor System. Either way, there is nothing you have to do. Just stick in the email address!

 

[zellyen]

ok i've got most stuff rdy for my professor.

but he wants to know if there is also a waiver form from AADSAS on top of the matching form?

our school's letter service has a waiver form if i decide to send it to that, but does AADSAS? or does the matching form acts as a waiver form?

 

[subdoc]

so since I am applying next cycle I am getting my LORs ready right now, however, I have a question...

when i ask for a LOR, do I ask in paper form and send it to the schools centralized service or ask for it electronically since that is what the AADSAS is right?

sorry about the newb questions, just kind of confused... if there's a guide somewhere link me thanks

I would make it easy and have your appointed writers submit electronically via AADSAS. Pretty mindless and it is MUCH faster than waiting for the AADSAS staff to scan your stuff into your electronic app. The AADSAS site has VERY clear directions on how you request the LOR as well as how they need to upload the letter. I was able to figure it out and I am very much a luddite - but very good at following directions.