Should I ask a T10 school to disregard two of my LORs?

[thespitfire]

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Hi all,
I'm having a bit of a problem. All of my LORs were submitted through Interfolio, and they were completed before June. I have five letters: two from science professors, one from the doctor I assist, and two from supervisors at the prestigious firm I worked at after graduation.

A top 10 school adcom has contacted me saying that the firm letters aren't on official letterhead, and requested that I contact my letter writers and ask that they email the adcom directly with the letters on official letterhead, with my AMCAS ID.

I've followed up with these letter writers twice. I haven't received a response. I'm also concerned that it's unlikely the letters will be sent on official letterhead, as the firm I worked for likely has policies around that (i.e the firm doesn't want to be seen as officially endorsing/recommending someone).

What should I do in this situation? I meet the requirement for LORs for this school without these two letters. However, I'm excited that they reached out to me because I feel like it indicates interest. I don't know how much it would hurt me if I were to explain the situation and ask the adcom to disregard them. I'm also surprised this is an issue, because I've received other IIs and haven't had an issue with these letters before.

Appreciate your suggestions.

 

[jordij94]

I think you should either go in person or call the firm first to get a response--don't assume they won't write on letterhead until you hear it from them. If they won't write on letterhead, then I would report back to that school about your situation. I wouldn't just email a school out of the blue and redact 2 letters without doing everything in my power to have them legitimized.

 

[thespitfire]

I think you should either go in person or call the firm first to get a response--don't assume they won't write on letterhead until you hear it from them. If they won't write on letterhead, then I would report back to that school about your situation. I wouldn't just email a school out of the blue and redact 2 letters without doing everything in my power to have them legitimized.

Calling or going in person wouldn’t be possible. I can’t disclose the name but it’s a large organization.

 

[LeaveNoTrace]

This seems like an issue for adcoms to weigh in on. @Moko, @Catalystik, @Goro, @LizzyM, @gyngyn, and anyone else I might have forgotten might have some advice here. This issue is above my pay grade!

 

[thespitfire]

Just found out the firm's policy is that using official letterhead isn't permitted. Going to go forward and let the school know.

 

[Moko]

Just found out the firm's policy is that using official letterhead isn't permitted. Going to go forward and let the school know.

Not much more you can do. Just explain the above and hope for the best.

 

[thespitfire]

Not much more you can do. Just explain the above and hope for the best.

Thank you!

 

[candbgirl]

So they wrote as private recommenders(friends?) not related to your job at this mysterious firm? Seems reasonable. Or where they writing about their interaction with you in a professional sense?

 

[proudofmykids]

Just found out the firm's policy is that using official letterhead isn't permitted. Going to go forward and let the school know.

Alternative to ask about...
You might want to ask if there is a way for the LOR to be emailed from the letter writers work email address that will show / prove they work there as alternative proof since they have policy about letter head.

 

[proudofmykids]

If medical schools have policies for letterhead and signatures that were in place when accreditied by LCME, then failure to have those on file if audited and/reaccredited can result being ding. Schools must have polucy and proce they follow those policies

Oh well, just trying to think out of the box to help.

 

[premed20172017]

In addition to what people have already said, I'd also let interfolio know. They're supposed to alert you when the letter isn't on letterhead, is missing a signature, etc. I'd also ask them to check all of your other letters, too.