When do you get your recommendations?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Impulse155

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2009
Messages
622
Reaction score
12
Im currently a junior in college, plan on taking a year off. When should I get my recommendations. If I have them for too long will they require me to get new ones?
 
Once I really gained the confidence and respect of the LOR writers, I asked if they would write one in the future for me, and I stayed in contact with them. For those 2 science professors, I dropped by their offices every now and then (after I finished the course) just to chat and see what was new.

I wrote them individualized letters when it got closer to give everybody all the info they needed about me, hoping they would in turn write that. The way I did that was thanking them for teaching me "x" principle/skill and showed how they have helped me prepare for my future in dentistry. By giving them several examples of traits they have seen me develop, they are able to then write "this kid will be great for dental school b'c ...blah blah blah". You make the LOR writers job very easy and have more "control" over what they say about you.

In the letter I also reminded them of the date that I hoped to have the LOR submitted by, and I followed up with a reminder about a month before I wanted.
 
You could theoretically arrange for them (by professors) any time, by that I mean, talk to them about it, they agree, etc. But I'm fairly sure the professors/dentists have to send in their recommendations directly to AASDAS during the application cycle you're applying in (June to Feb or whatever it is). So it would be impossible for you to have them too early. Bottom line, if you can arrange your recommendation letters now, do it, then when your application cycle comes, just speak to the people you asked for recommendations and have them send them in.
 
You could theoretically arrange for them (by professors) any time, by that I mean, talk to them about it, they agree, etc. But I'm fairly sure the professors/dentists have to send in their recommendations directly to AASDAS during the application cycle you're applying in (June to Feb or whatever it is). So it would be impossible for you to have them too early. Bottom line, if you can arrange your recommendation letters now, do it, then when your application cycle comes, just speak to the people you asked for recommendations and have them send them in.
Is this true? Then how would I go about getting a comittee letter?
 
If your school has a pre-health advisory office, contact them about getting a committee letter...basically you have your professors send their LORs to the advisory office so that the pre health advisors can look them over and write a composite letter...

Many schools prefer the committee letter, so if you have this option available to you I would do it...
 
Is this true? Then how would I go about getting a comittee letter?

See the above by poki.

If your school has a pre-health advisory office, contact them about getting a committee letter...basically you have your professors send their LORs to the advisory office so that the pre health advisors can look them over and write a composite letter...

Many schools prefer the committee letter, so if you have this option available to you I would do it...

Yeah, I'd go with the committee letter too if the option was available.
 
See the above by poki.



Yeah, I'd go with the committee letter too if the option was available.


Yea from what ive been reading there good to have. I emailed my advisor for more information on them. I need to see if theres any requirements.

And I have to have my Dentists/Professors/Any other people I have send their recommendation to my advisor? I cant hand deliver it?
 
Yea from what ive been reading there good to have. I emailed my advisor for more information on them. I need to see if theres any requirements.

And I have to have my Dentists/Professors/Any other people I have send their recommendation to my advisor? I cant hand deliver it?

They might allow hand delivery if it's sealed; just ask your health adviser first, they will know exactly how they want everything.
 
They might allow hand delivery if it's sealed; just ask your health adviser first, they will know exactly how they want everything.

Yea I emailed them, im just impatient lol
 
Top