should i send my letters of recommendations out as they come or all at once?

[ramzax]

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the subject says most of it. i'm only worried that if I send out part of my recommendations out now, they'll start reviewing my recommendations without knowing that perhaps 2 more are on the way. also

1) if we choose not to send out recommendations with primaries, do we mark anywhere on AMCAS that that they'll be sent later?
2) do most schools need the recommendations only by secondaries? it's hard to tell on most of the school websites.

 

[Mattabet]

should i send my letters of recommendations out as they come or all at once?

I think you're best sending them all at once, provided you don't have to wait too long to get them all in. This also protects against little clerical errors, like one of four letters getting misplaced, lost, etc.

1) if we choose not to send out recommendations with primaries, do we mark anywhere on AMCAS that that they'll be sent later?

I don't know; I applied before this AMCAS LoR buzz. But I'd assume that if a school doesn't get your letters with your primary, they'll just expect them in the future.

2) do most schools need the recommendations only by secondaries? it's hard to tell on most of the school websites.

This may vary a bit, but the impression I got was that they just start a file. When they first hear you, they put your name on a digital (or paper) manilla folder. When your primary gets in, it goes in the folder. Ditto on secondary, and the LoRs, as well as anything else you send them. When your file is complete with everything they need to consider you for an interview (typically primary, secondary, and letters), then they consider you. So the order is not crucial.

 

[BlueElmo]

the subject says most of it. i'm only worried that if I send out part of my recommendations out now, they'll start reviewing my recommendations without knowing that perhaps 2 more are on the way. also

1) if we choose not to send out recommendations with primaries, do we mark anywhere on AMCAS that that they'll be sent later?
2) do most schools need the recommendations only by secondaries? it's hard to tell on most of the school websites.

1. no
2. They generally want LORs with secondaries.

 

[OneMCATAway]

I also didn't assign any of my letters to any schools! do you guys think I should wait until I get the secondaries or assign them now so the schools get them once they get the primaries?

 

[BlueElmo]

I also didn't assign any of my letters to any schools! do you guys think I should wait until I get the secondaries or assign them now so the schools get them once they get the primaries?

I'm waiting until I receive the secondaries from schools.

 

[snitchseeker88]

I'm still waiting on a letter and finalizing my letter packet. So for the secondaries that come quite early, can I at least send in the essays/secondary app right now and then send the letters when the packet is complete, or do I have to send them both together? Thanks.