Reference Letters

[DrScrub]

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Hey guys,

I was thinking of asking my profs for reference letters soon, but I had a quick question. When are the letters due by, so I can tell my profs how long they have to write them. I've searched for this on website, but couldn't find a conclusive answer.


Thanks!

 

[Pacna]

I believe AMCAS allows a school to pull them from their website at the time you submit your primary to the school in question. I believe most schools pull your letters some time after your secondary is submitted.

I would ask that your letters be done by June 1 to allow for some delay (because profs are procrastinators at heart like the rest of us).

 

[NickNaylor]

I believe AMCAS allows a school to pull them from their website at the time you submit your primary to the school in question. I believe most schools pull your letters some time after your secondary is submitted.

I would ask that your letters be done by June 1 to allow for some delay (because profs are procrastinators at heart like the rest of us).

Agreed with the above. You will be able to submit your letters to AMCAS as soon as AMCAS opens, so that would be the earliest time to have them done by. If you're going to use a third-party service like Interfolio to manage your LORs, then you can have them written anytime, though I would give your writers a deadline of June 1 to make sure they actually get done.

You have plenty of time, though. I don't think I asked my writers for letters until March or April and I didn't have any issues, though of course you'll need to tailor that depending on the slacking potential of your writers.

Good luck.

 

[AliciaAccepted]

The letters of recommendation are due when you submit your secondary applications. Depending on when you submit your primary application, this can vary greatly from student to student. If you set a goal for yourself to have your letters of rec by the date you submit the primary, you won't have to worry about collecting them late. In all fairness, you won't find out the deadlines for your secondary applications until after you submit the primary, and that may take weeks.

When you request a letter of rec be sure to give your letter writer:

• A deadline
• Updated and final draft of your personal statement
• Updated copy of your resume or CV
• Cover letter from the AMCAS letter service or Interfolio (whichever service you decide to use) with instructions on how to upload your letter
  
• Bullet points outlining your grade in their class, length of time you have known them, and any other pertinent information that you would like for them have while writing your letter (state the facts)

After you receive their letter of rec, do send a thank you card! This will ensure their continued support. If appropriate, keep them updated on your progress. The letters can be the most frustrating part of the process since you have so little control over them but you are being wise by strategizing early. I hope it's a smooth process for you! For more information on who to request letters from and how many to collect, I am attaching an article here.