When are letters of recommendation typically read if you submit June 1st?

[somedudehere]

---

Members don't see this ad.

My predicament is that I took a class with a professor last semester and he's willing to write me a letter of recommendation based off of just his experience with me in the class (got an A, participated, etc.)

I'm also rotating in his lab starting around the end of May which would give me about a month and a half (until July) of solid time in his lab which he said would allow him write a stronger letter of recommendation.

Would you choose the letter now just based off of class performance? Or a letter sometimes towards the end of June (since I heard they don't even read letters until secondaries around July)

Thanks.

 

[mistafab]

I'm biased off my experience, but i'd take the letter sooner than later.

He obviously likes you enough to have you rotate in his lab. Your top priority should be to submit as early as possible.

 

[LizzyM]

I won't be reading letters until August 15th or later. YMMV

 

[somedudehere]

I'm biased off my experience, but i'd take the letter sooner than later.

He obviously likes you enough to have you rotate in his lab. Your top priority should be to submit as early as possible.

Yes I am submitting June 1st. I guess I should have been more clear in my question. From what I understand, you don't need letters to be complete, correct? So I was thinking about rotating in the lab for ~1 month from beginning in May and asking him to write it at the end of May.

I won't be reading letters until August 15th or later. YMMV

I see, thank you.

Also, since you read letters, can you please shed some light if it's a red flag if a professor responds by saying something along the lines of "my letter will only be based off your performance in class and our interaction at office hours, you may be able to get a stronger letter from someone you did research under" I got A's in all the classes these professors taught as well as going to their office hours.

The thing is, both science professors I asked responded similarly in this way. I already have a letter from my PI and boss who I did research under and volunteered for, respectively. Is a letter from a science professor (in an SMP) who knows you and knows you did well, enough? Or do they really need to know you on a personal level? Thanks

 

[LizzyM]

Letters that say, "he took my class and got an A" are not considered strong letters as they don't add anything beyond what we see on the transcript. waiting until he's gotten to know you in lab is better. See the AAMC guidelines for letter writers to get an idea of what the letter writers are being asked to address.

 

[eteshoe]

If the rest of your application profile looks strong, you can afford to wait and get a stronger letter.

 

[christmasindr]

Wait for the letter. Schools don't usually read the letter of rec until you submit the secondaries, which usually happen in July at the earliest.

 

[Nietzschelover]

Just to refresh on timeline reality:

AMCAS doesnt start transmitting until July 1st (though some schools have secondaries sent to contact info upon submission to AMCAS)
Most Primary Apps are transmitted early July thru late August
Most adcoms dont start meeting for review until at least mid-August, more likely September (though adcom staff may be doing early reviews).
Submitting Primary Application June is Early, July Medium, August Late
Having Primary verified and transmitted to school by end of August is normal speed
Having Secondary and all LORs complete to school by end of September is normal speed, by end of October is about late.

Getting primary in early does matter because of all the other items that follow it. But applicants often see the beginning and not understanding how it flows from there.

You have been very consistent on the timeline issues. The problem based on following this site is that many of the applicants who have done very well received a big chunk of their IIs from mid-July to mid-August, with some of them then receiving multiple acceptances on October 15. There obviously are at least a good number of schools that are reviewing apps and awards IIs from mid-July to mid August.

 

[CHoge25]

Just to refresh on timeline reality:

AMCAS doesnt start transmitting until July 1st (though some schools have secondaries sent to contact info upon submission to AMCAS)
Most Primary Apps are transmitted early July thru late August
Most adcoms dont start meeting for review until at least mid-August, more likely September (though adcom staff may be doing early reviews).
Submitting Primary Application June is Early, July Medium, August Late
Having Primary verified and transmitted to school by end of August is normal speed
Having Secondary and all LORs complete to school by end of September is normal speed, by end of October is about late.

Getting primary in early does matter because of all the other items that follow it. But applicants often see the beginning and not understanding how it flows from there.

So the most important date is the complete date vs the verified date correct? Say someone is verified earlier July but does not get secondaries/LOR in until early Sep vs a student who is verified early August but gets all secondaries/LOR in by middle August.

 

[Throwaway5129]

Are LORs read before an interview is offered?