Statute of Limitations on LORs????

[lyndaelyzoo]

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I am currently applying to vet school (actually never thought I would say this so I am going to say it again to convince myself that it is real)...I am currently applying to vet school and working on the online application. Getting to the LORs....I am wondering if there is any statute of limitations on LORs??? The thing is, I have taught high school forensic science and zoology for nine years and have not worked with a vet since I started teaching. Would a recommendation from that vet be okay??? I am trying to volunteer with a vet this summer, but even if I do, I don't think that I would be able to ask for a recommendation before the application deadline. Please advise.

 

[jglovicz]

Congrats on applying to vet school! How well do you know that vet? Have you kept in touch? Honestly, I'm really sorry, but I would not feel comfortable asking someone that I haven't worked with for 9 years for a LOR. I would definitely recommend getting more experience this summer (I know it's off the original topic, but I think the adcoms will want to see that you have recently had experience that adequatly prepares you for the next few years)...if you can put in a good number of hours, I wouldn't feel bad asking for a LOR from the vet you currently work with-I would just ask them at least 1 month before the app is due. Good luck!

 

[sumstorm]

I had 5 LOR's but the 3 that mattered most were for my IS.

These were:

- LOR from a SA vet that I worked with when I applied. I started shadowing her two 1/2 days a week in March 2008, she offered me a job in July (part time that ended up full time), and I asked for a LOR in August. She had also attended NCSU.

- LOR from a zoo vet that I worked with when I was a curator of a zoo. I was not in his employ; we actually worked at the same level in the zoo hierarchy, but he had ultimate decisions on animal husbandry and med. I last worked with him in 2005.

- LOR from the PI of my honors research from 2001. He and I had actually both relocated, and tracking him down was a nightmare. He was also able to talk about a zoo med internship (the vet at that zoo had moved on and I couldn't locate him.)

So, I think at least one LOR will need to be current. However, I think there is something about steadiness/stability of character that can be reflected through LORs that span some time. I also was specific in what I asked those LORs to address (communication, research, dedication, hard working, etc) and when I asked them, I sent them a current resume, a detailed update of my life, and the things i strongly recalled doing with them. I think this helped jog their memories and offered them a platform of examples to draw from when they wrote their LORs.