Regarding Letter of Recommendation

[Wafflyw]

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Hello,

I tried searching the forums for my specific question, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

I will be starting my 3rd year in a community college (which will be my last year here), so I still have 2 years left until I apply (3rd year, one year in a transfer school, and then apply).

My question is regarding letters of recommendation. I am taking a summer class right now, and I have developed a good relationship with my professor. I am thinking of asking her for a letter of recommendation.
Now, since I am 2 years away from applying, should I get the letter now? Should I ask her now, and have her send me a letter when I am applying? What should I do? Should I get the letter now, and keep it until my application process? I have no pre-medical department that can keep a letter of recommendation since I am at a community college. Also, should I get an interfolio account now or later?

Sorry if that was too many questions! 😳

 

[An MD Hopeful]

Hello,

I tried searching the forums for my specific question, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.

I will be starting my 3rd year in a community college (which will be my last year here), so I still have 2 years left until I apply (3rd year, one year in a transfer school, and then apply).

My question is regarding letters of recommendation. I am taking a summer class right now, and I have developed a good relationship with my professor. I am thinking of asking her for a letter of recommendation.
Now, since I am 2 years away from applying, should I get the letter now? Should I ask her now, and have her send me a letter when I am applying? What should I do? Should I get the letter now, and keep it until my application process? I have no pre-medical department that can keep a letter of recommendation since I am at a community college. Also, should I get an interfolio account now or later?

Sorry if that was too many questions! 😳

I think you could probably ask her to write the letter now while your interactions with her and performance in class are fresh in her memory. Ask her specifically if she could write you a strong letter. Does she seem like the kind of person who would be okay if you asked her to write the letter now and save it for when you apply? If yes, that would probably be fine.

I'm not really sure if Interfolio could help you since I didn't use it. Does anyone else know whether Interfolio only keeps letters for particular application cycles?

 

[Wafflyw]

Yes, I think she seems like a professor that can write me a really strong letter now and save it for me for later use. Our relationship is one that assures me of this.

Thank you so much for your reply! I appreciate it.

So there is no problem with asking her for a letter later when I'm applying? What I mean is, the letter won't be "old" for the admission committee, right? I've heard that the admissions committee have a problem with old letters, and that can possibly hold up your application.

 

[Jojokarade]

The best way would be to tell her you will not be applying for a couple years. Some schools don't accept letters that are over a certain age, but I believe two years will be fine. If the relationship with your professor is as you describe, you could have her write the letter, have her save it, and then she could simply update it before you apply. I ended up doing a similar thing after I decided to wait a couple years before applying to medical school

 

[BKN89]

Most schools do not specify letter age - I've only encountered 1 so far (applied to 30), though I'm sure there are others. I used a letter that was 2 years old.

 

[Wafflyw]

The best way would be to tell her you will not be applying for a couple years. Some schools don't accept letters that are over a certain age, but I believe two years will be fine. If the relationship with your professor is as you describe, you could have her write the letter, have her save it, and then she could simply update it before you apply. I ended up doing a similar thing after I decided to wait a couple years before applying to medical school

Most schools do not specify letter age - I've only encountered 1 so far (applied to 30), though I'm sure there are others. I used a letter that was 2 years old.

Thank you for your reply, Jojokarade. What do you mean by "she could simply update it before you apply?" Do you mean she could upload it to a site like Interfolio when the time comes?

Oh, really, BKN89? I went to a pre-med conference a year ago or so, and in one of the workshops, it was stressed that the letters mustn't be over 1 and a half or 2 years old!

Thank you again for your reply, guys. It is truly appreciated! 🙂