reapplication rec letters

[gmcguitar4]

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So just in case I don't get in anywhere this cycle I want to start thinking about preparing for next cycle. I understand that I would have to revamp my personal statement a little as well as my other essays and everything else. I was wondering if it is usually required to get another pre-med committee letter to submit with the new application.

1) I graduated in 2010 and got a committee letter for this application cycle so would it be ok just to submit that one again?

2) Since I will be out of school for about two years by the time next app cycle comes, do really I need to submit a committee letter?

I don't know, but I have a feeling my letter isn't very strong and if it wouldn't hurt me to take it out of my application all togethor then I would prefer that.

 

[gmcguitar4]

.

 

[mauberley]

So just in case I don't get in anywhere this cycle I want to start thinking about preparing for next cycle. I understand that I would have to revamp my personal statement a little as well as my other essays and everything else. I was wondering if it is usually required to get another pre-med committee letter to submit with the new application.

1) I graduated in 2010 and got a committee letter for this application cycle so would it be ok just to submit that one again?

2) Since I will be out of school for about two years by the time next app cycle comes, do really I need to submit a committee letter?

I don't know, but I have a feeling my letter isn't very strong and if it wouldn't hurt me to take it out of my application all togethor then I would prefer that.

1) I would think that's okay. Maybe not ideal, but I don't think schools would reject the letter out of hand. That's just my unfounded opinion, however.

2) Who would you solicit letters from to replace the committee letter? If you get letters from your professors from your school in lieu of the committee, schools may wonder why you didn't get a committee letter, which would potentially negatively affect your application. (LizzyM has opined elsewhere on the board on the utility of a committee letter, from the admissions committee perspective.)

 

[LizzyM]

If you've been out of school for two years and you have been employed and/or engaged in significant volunteerism, you could get away without the committee letter provided you substituted an LOR from your employer as well as LORs from two science teachers, either people at your undergrad or someone who taught a course you took post-bac.

 

[Beekachu]

So just in case I don't get in anywhere this cycle I want to start thinking about preparing for next cycle. I understand that I would have to revamp my personal statement a little as well as my other essays and everything else. I was wondering if it is usually required to get another pre-med committee letter to submit with the new application.

1) I graduated in 2010 and got a committee letter for this application cycle so would it be ok just to submit that one again?

2) Since I will be out of school for about two years by the time next app cycle comes, do really I need to submit a committee letter?

I don't know, but I have a feeling my letter isn't very strong and if it wouldn't hurt me to take it out of my application all togethor then I would prefer that.

If you are reapplying to some of the same schools, they might request that letters from the same person from your previous application be updated for the new application. It might be possible to have the committee letter writer update it with some new details about you and your application.

I think beyond re-writing the content in your application (PS, etc.) it might be helpful to make the application look as new as possible including letters (obviously, keeping strengths from the previous application, though).

 

[alexrgross]

My school does not issue committee letters, no school rejected my apps over this issue.

If you have doubts about the quality of the commitee letter, I would for sure get a replacement. LORs should be the one part of the app that you feel completely confident about. Best of luck next cycle!

 

[gmcguitar4]

*bumping with new question*

So when I applied this year I made sure to submit my AMCAS June 1st and had all my secondaries complete ASAP. My application was not complete though because I was waiting on my committee letter from my school which did not send it out until the end of August. I really think my school does me a disservice by sending out these letters so late.

So if I reapply..I can get another committee letter or submit LOR's from professors from recent courses. I also graduated 2 years ago and have been working so I have letter from the PI I work for. I wouldn't use my old one though if I decide to get a committee letter b/c as you guys said..its always better to have my app as up-to-date as possible.

My questions are..do you think my application was heavily affected by the late submission of my committee letter from my undergrad? If I have to reapply, should I just forget about getting a new committee letter considering it takes so long to get and I have plenty of other very strong LOR's.(My interviewers commented on how great a few of them were.)

 

[gmcguitar4]

Buummpp

 

[deleted261193]

i know quite a handful of people who were on your timeline (had their amcas + secondaries in super early and were waiting on the committee letter to be complete in mid- to late- august), and they have been mooooooooooore than fine with this application cycle. i'm pretty sure most schools will know that some undergrads are just known for delaying sending out the committee letter until later.