Should you tell your recommendation writers where you are applying?

[sunshine02]

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[ridethecliche]

Nope. Just say for medical school.

 

[northernlights15]

How many weeks in advance should one ask their writer? Is 4-6 weeks a good time frame?

 

[pithy84]

I definitely do not tell the letter writers, because I don't want them to mention a school name and then alienate all the other schools. They may not understand the implications of name-dropping a specific school, and I won't get a chance to correct the error.

 

[northernlights15]

I don't think they would mention a school name. I think they'll just say "strongly recommend for medical school."

 

[Tintinnabula]

Four to six weeks has been a reasonable time for me in the past, making sure to adjust for things like being busy teaching and writing exam materials for the end of the year, etc. I would also ask your LOR writers if *they* believe that they can get in a letter in 4-6 weeks, especially those in academics. At this time of the year, they may want a couple extra weeks or so.

 

[sunshine02]

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually write a thank you letter to your LOR writers after the submission deadline has passed or do you give it to them when you ask them for a letter?

 

[Glandzburg]

Thanks everyone! Do you guys usually write a thank you letter to your LOR writers after the submission deadline has passed or do you give it to them when you ask them for a letter?

AMCAS notifies you when a letter of rec is submitted. That would be an appropriate time to write a thank you card to the author.

 

[snowflakes]

Not necessarily where you are applying but it might help to give them an idea of the kind of schools you're interested in (research focused, service focused, etc), and also how you are framing yourself as an applicant so they can write a letter consistent with that.

Email a thank you after they have submitted it--usually my writers wrote me themselves that they had submitted my letter, best of luck, etc and I just replied to that email. Also, I think it's nice to come back at the end of the cycle, thank them again for their support, and let them know where you're going (or ask for their thoughts if you are still deciding).