Wait for last LOR or submit secondaries ASAP?

[OrkidLover]

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I worked in a lab for two years, and am waiting for my last LOR from the supervisor. After sending him a reminder, he said he'll send it out later this week. I already received some secondary invites pre-verification so I don't know if I should hold out until the letter comes before submitting. I'm afraid it'd raise eyebrows if I don't have a recommendation from someone I worked with for a significant amount of time. But would it be more beneficial for me to get the secondary in ASAP instead?

Thanks.

 

[DoctaFuture]

I was actually wondering if you could just submit the secondaries w/out the rec letters in AMCAS file. And just submit the letters when they come in even after turning the secondaries.

 

[dragon529]

You don't need to have LORs submitted before turning in the secondaries. The AMCAS system will update the schools as they become available.

 

[lstone13]

You don't need to have LORs submitted before turning in the secondaries. The AMCAS system will update the schools as they become available.

This is true. Just keep in mind that your file will not be considered complete until everything has been turned in, including those letters. And the admissions committee won't review your file or consider you for interview until your application is complete.

 

[Quaero]

This is true. Just keep in mind that your file will not be considered complete until everything has been turned in, including those letters. And the admissions committee won't review your file or consider you for interview until your application is complete.

I know which ever comes last will be the one to determine a complete app, but does this mean that there is no difference between submitting secondary with and without complete LOR?

 

[lstone13]

I know which ever comes last will be the one to determine a complete app, but does this mean that there is no difference between submitting secondary with and without complete LOR?

Well, some schools do require that you return the secondary within two weeks or some other certain time period, so especially in those cases, it is important that you submit them as soon as possible. Also, this is just my opinion, but getting those secondaries submitted in a timely manner represents your interest in that school and in your application to it. My advice would be to turn in the secondaries as soon as you are able to.

 

[Quaero]

Well, some schools do require that you return the secondary within two weeks or some other certain time period, so especially in those cases, it is important that you submit them as soon as possible. Also, this is just my opinion, but getting those secondaries submitted in a timely manner represents your interest in that school and in your application to it. My advice would be to turn in the secondaries as soon as you are able to.

Thank you for your opinion! 😀

 

[Medhatter]

This might be a weired question as I'm not completely familiar with the system. How do the schools know that you've gotten the *last letter* in?.Say you turned in 3 letters for school X, and that school requires a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 letters, do they mark you complete then?
The reason I'm wondering is that I have a research professor who has written good references for me. I might not get his letter in time and I already have 3. I entered his name into AMCAS, but did not assign. So in that case, schools won't wait for his LOR to arrive right?

 

[brandnew1]

This might be a weired question as I'm not completely familiar with the system. How do the schools know that you've gotten the *last letter* in?.Say you turned in 3 letters for school X, and that school requires a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 letters, do they mark you complete then?
The reason I'm wondering is that I have a research professor who has written good references for me. I might not get his letter in time and I already have 3. I entered his name into AMCAS, but did not assign. So in that case, schools won't wait for his LOR to arrive right?

I believe that, for most schools at least, as soon as you fulfill their LOR requirements, your application can be considered complete.

You are allowed to add additional LORs later on I believe, but they may review your application without the extra one if you fulfill their requirements.