Reapplicants - using the same eLOR writers?

[Whyevernot55]

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For those of us reapplying this year, does anyone know if using the same eLOR writers is a no go or frowned upon?

My boss, a vet whose clinic I have worked in for the past 3 years, wrote one for me last year and I'm asking her to do it again. But she said that it was a problem for someone in the past, and that she was told she couldn't use the same people for eLORs. Which seems ludicrous, but I'm asking.

Anyone know this is true, or complete bollocks? Is it a problem for some schools and not others?

 

[HopefulAg]

I used the same three for two cycles (all vets) and two of the same for the third cycle (the third from the two previous cycles suggested I use my last employer. She wasn't a vet though which is why I didn't include her at the get go).

 

[Jamr0ckin]

I've been wondering this myself. The past 2 cycles I used to same LORs and I am questioning whether I should switch up my non-DVM ones.

 

[Jill418]

Hey there,
I used the same letter writers all three years; however, upon my third year of applying, I added additional writers by having a committee letter written by a prehealth advisor at my undergraduate school. This committee letter consolidated letters from the orig three (who rewrote their letters each year), an additional veterinarian I had worked with, a current employer (animal work but not vet related), and a college professor with whom I had a good relationship (I ta-ed for her class). This way I provided the schools consistency but also enhanced the app with new information that was both more recent and more rounding. I was advised by a pre-graduate advisor and I think it really did help my applicaton to submit new info (with the old) and not just repeat myself from the previous cycle. Her advice was change it up- show them how you have grown in Knowledge in both life and from previous application cycles. Hope this helps! Good luck! 🙂

 

[Chees493]

I used two of same elor writers for my second application cycle and was accepted to multiple schools. I'd have to say if your application is strong it shouldn't matter.

 

[flipflopper]

I used 2 of the same eLOR in my 2nd time applying and 1 new one. I think as long as the people that wrote you one last year have something additional to say and can write a different letter it's okay. I don't think you would want them to submit the same letter that was unsuccessful last year. In my case, after another year these 2 people knew me even better and had additional things to include in the recommendation. On my first try I didn't get any interviews, this time around I had 5 interviews and 3 acceptances.

 

[chordy4]

Second time around I used the same vet I had my first app cycle, and two different people, moreso out of necessity since I had been out of touch with the other originals for about 2 years...apparently that didn't affect my chances.

I don't necessarily think it's frowned upon, however, if they are giving the exact same rec they gave the previous year, and you are applying to the same schools, that's not a good idea. Hopefully you/your skills have grown since the previous year's app, and a recommendation by the same person should reflect that.

 

[nyanko]

The first time I applied for class of 2012, I used my undergrad thesis advisor, a DVM I had worked with for 3 years and a professor who had taught me in 2 courses (one upper division, one graduate level). This last cycle I used the first two again.

The first time, those two were probably my strongest recommenders. The second time they were likely my weakest as the other two I added on are both faculty members at UC Davis and have had more significant contact with me since my first application. In fact, the other two probably did submit the same letters as I hadn't worked with either of them since my first application.

I guess my take on it is that if you have somebody better, try to trim out the weakest writer(s) from last time if you haven't had a lot of contact with them since. If not, then it probably won't sink you (especially since you are at least waitlisted this time!) but I'm of the opinion that improving every little bit of the app helps. 🙂

I also think my letters of recommendation were a very strong point in my application this time around, whereas the first time they were probably just average.

 

[sunnyshine]

If no one in the previous cycle mentioned anything negative about your evaluators then I would use them again. IMO, as long as the person is reputable and knows you well it shouldn't matter if they write it for you multiple times.