Re-using LORs

I'm not sure how interfolio works exactly (I used my undergrad's reference service). But when I reapplied, I sent all of my letter writers an update with what I had been doing and asked them to revise their letter. I told them all I really needed was the date updated but if they wanted to incorporate my recent activities they could. I didn't want to have letters that were dated 2 years back.

 

if you're applying to the same schools you did this year, the best course of action would be to obtain updated letters and/or a new letter. using the exact same letters without some sort of update or new letter doesn't bode well for you since it looks like nothing has changed since last year's apps.

1) with updated letters, you can talk to your recommenders and tell them that you did not get in this year and need an updated letter from them. perhaps they could talk about what you've been doing this year, if you've made any additional progress, or they could throw in a few sentences about how they think you should get into med school.

2) a new letter would just be something from a research prof you're working with this year or a prof in one of your classes that you've gotten to know better.

 

I think you are better off resubmitting new letters and add a little something about how you've improved in some way or another. In the reapplication process, they scrutinize what you did the year prior underneath a microscope. They don't want the same thing if you are applying to the same school, but using the same people and themes in your application is definitely OK. Hope this helps...

 

I should have mentioned that. I only submitted some of the same letters from my previous application, but I did also had two totally new letters. I agree, I don't think it would be wise to apply with exactly the same letters. You should have something to show for the time in between applications.

 

Follow-up question....

What about the required 'science faculty' letters that some schools ask for? If you're reapplying and have been out of school for a year (but the letters are still valid time-wise) should you send in the required old science professor letters and updated other letters or do you need to get updated letters from these professors you haven't seen/spoken to in over a year?

 

I used whatever 'old' letters I could, and in the 2 years since my first application I acquired 2-3 new letters. Then I choose whatever mix best suited what the school was looking for.

If you have the ability to get the original writer to revise the letters, by all means do so, but if not, then the old ones should be adequate. But I WOULD try, as stated before, to get an additional letter or two from people who are related to whatever you've been doing since your first application cycle.