Will this LOR packet be a problem for many secondaries?

[WanderingDave]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I graduated with a non-science bachelors in 2001. I have three LORs in my credentials file:
1. A science professor from one of the prerequisite courses I took recently.
2. A professor from the department I majored in
3. My supervisor from a healthcare job I worked at for 2 years

I thought I was OK, but then I opened the online secondary application to NY Medical College, and the page wouldn't even submit unless I entered the names and information of *** 2 Undergrad Science Professors *** who had written LORs for my file.

The page also said if I'd graduated prior to 2003, I could submit "academically-oriented letters" from other recommenders who weren't undergrad profs instead. It didn't say exactly how to bypass the way the page was set up, though.

To those of you who are well into or done with your secondaries, do you anticipate this being a recurrent problem I'll be running into? Worst comes to worst I could e-mail a whole bunch of profs who either don't remember me or never knew me to begin with, to add another letter to my file. But since I submitted my primary at the end of August, I'd sure like to make up for lost time by getting those secondaries our ASAP, and doing this wouldn't help that process any.

 

[defrunner]

I graduated with a non-science bachelors in 2001. I have three LORs in my credentials file:
1. A science professor from one of the prerequisite courses I took recently.
2. A professor from the department I majored in
3. My supervisor from a healthcare job I worked at for 2 years

I thought I was OK, but then I opened the online secondary application to NY Medical College, and the page wouldn't even submit unless I entered the names and information of *** 2 Undergrad Science Professors *** who had written LORs for my file.

The page also said if I'd graduated prior to 2003, I could submit "academically-oriented letters" from other recommenders who weren't undergrad profs instead. It didn't say exactly how to bypass the way the page was set up, though.

To those of you who are well into or done with your secondaries, do you anticipate this being a recurrent problem I'll be running into? Worst comes to worst I could e-mail a whole bunch of profs who either don't remember me or never knew me to begin with, to add another letter to my file. But since I submitted my primary at the end of August, I'd sure like to make up for lost time by getting those secondaries our ASAP, and doing this wouldn't help that process any.

Hey, sorry to hear about that, but with my experience thus far in this application cycle, most schools seem to want at least two science recommendations if you're submitting it separately. I think you might be stuck but don't rely on me for your sole advice -- maybe you can contact NYMC directly and explain the situation (call them instead of going by email, by the way). If you do wind up having to obtain another science recommendation from a professor whose class you've taken, contact him/her and explain what the situation is. Meeting with them personally is the best way to go about it (treat them to lunch or something on campus), but regardless of how you go about contacting them, make sure you include supplementary information so that they can write a good and personalized recommendation (i.e. your CV is a must, and an autobiography/AMCAS application/etc are very helpful). It is not too late for recommendations but you do want to get the ball rolling. Even though deadlines for recommendations are later than 'your' deadlines, your application will still be held up until everything is submitted.

Just out of curiousity, is there anyway you can get a pre-medical committee recommendation from your undergrad? It simplifies things tremendously. If not, then hopefully you're submitting them through Interfolio or another reputable site that deals with these.

Good luck.

 

[notdeadyet]

To those of you who are well into or done with your secondaries, do you anticipate this being a recurrent problem I'll be running into?

Depends on where you'll be applying, but, imho, yes, I'd expect it to be a problem at some spots.

I'm applying to about 33 schools (long story, don't ask) and many of them have asked for two science LORs. I've also had some ask for three.

I'd strongly recommend looking up the requirements of every school you're applying to asap. If you're applying to a bunch, it's safe to assume lots will ask for two science LORs.

 

[BuckerPark]

You are considered a non-traditional applicant (like myself) and will find that many schools are happy to accomodate you. They realize that you have been out of school for sometime and will be happy to read letters from individuals more familiar with your recent academic performance.

Posting in the pre-allo forum, you are likely to find individuals who panic at the thought of not providing the medical schools exactly what they ask for. Most of the directives in applications are geared toward the traditional, straight out of undergrad, student. Medical schools, while difficult to get into, are not unreasonable and I think you will find they are willing to work with you if you contact them directly. Don't panic.

 

[BuckerPark]

Double post...sorry.

 

[notdeadyet]

You are considered a non-traditional applicant (like myself) and will find that many schools are happy to accomodate you.

Yeah, this is true at some schools. If I were the OP, I'd do everything I could to get the second science LOR if at all possible to cover the schools that won't accommodate.

I graduated in 1994 and there are some schools that still didn't budge on their own LOR requirements.

 

[WanderingDave]

Yeah, this is true at some schools. If I were the OP, I'd do everything I could to get the second science LOR if at all possible to cover the schools that won't accommodate.

I graduated in 1994 and there are some schools that still didn't budge on their own LOR requirements.

Point taken. I took a 14-person molecular genetics class in June. The instructor was a PhD student, and knew me fairly well. I'm going to contact him today, and if he agrees, Priority Mail him all the necessary forms. Can't hurt.