Yet another LOR question

[rtcmurr]

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Do Letters of Recommendation that we send to AADSAS need to be in an envelope with a signature across the seal? I have gotten a few letters that are this way. . .and a few that were just handed to me.

Anyone know?

RTC

 

[clam chowder]

You can actually go to the AADSAS website and read online instructions for the 2005 application cycle to get a better idea of what they're looking for.

-click on "2005 AADSAS-on-the-Web"
-click on "instructions" link located in the upper left part of the screen.

basically,
if YOU, the applicant, is sending out the letter, then yes a signature is required across the sealed envelope.

if the recommender is sending it out directly, in addition to the signature, an AADSAS letter of evaluation/recommendation matching form is also required.

 

[Bullfan16]

To answer the OP's original question, yes, have a professor (or whoever is writing the LOR) sign the back and make sure they write the letter on letterhead. Not to call any schools out (YEAH RIGHT)....but the University of Detroit Mercy waited until December after my check was cashed to inform me that 2 of my LORs werent on letterhead and that a recommendation from my dad (dentist...I worked at his office for 8 months) would not be counted as a letter from a practicing dentist. I have never had this problem before and it took me 2 cycles to get in....I applied to 12 schools last year and 12 this year....only 1 out of about 8 schools (UDM) said that the LOR needs to be on letterhead and they wouldnt count my dad's letter. Seeing that it was mid-December and a bit late I went off on the adcom (when I finally got in tocuh with them) and asked for my money back seeing that by the time I fulfilled their request it would be too late and the class would have been nearly full. Chances are I wouldnt have received an interview by the time the new letters came in. So, I essentially got a pre-rejection/rejection letter (letter stating I needed new LORs).

Many of you may be thinking, so what get the person to write you on letterhead...problem was he is a retired faculty member who no longer practices and no longer has letterhead...the professor who didnt write it on letter head...no clue what happened. In any case, this is my rant about why UDM sucks in case you havent noticed. My dad went to an Anesthesiology meeting in March in Charleston, SC (American Dental Society of Anesthesiology-ADSA) and is good friends with the Director of Admissions (turns out the guy he knows and is friends with is the acting chair of admissions). From his mouth to my dad's ears...he told my dad that I should be glad I didnt get in. They sold the dental building for 6 mil and its worth 22 mil. They took a huge loss and now have nowhere to relocate. So, UDM may be closing its doors. Am I a bit bitter...yeah something like that...and Detroit-Mercy may be a great school...but as far as I am concerned...good riddance. Good luck to the UDM students when they have to exit the building and have nowhere to go. Oh and if you want to call UDM, have fun leaving a voicemail and getting a return phone call when you arent home and leaving another voicemail. Oh yeah and you can only speak to the secretary they wont let you talk to the admissions director (extremely inefficient)

Anyway, point is to avoid getting a letter in the mail in December after a school has deposited your check asking for new LORs make sure its on letterhead and signed on the back (UNLV called me and asked me to re-submit a letter that was signed on the back of the envelope).

 

[*Tooth*fairy*]

Anyway, point is to avoid getting a letter in the mail in December after a school has deposited your check asking for new LORs make sure its on letterhead and signed on the back (UNLV called me and asked me to re-submit a letter that was signed on the back of the envelope).

Hello, sorry to hear about your situation, I hope you got into somewhere at least. I am just curious about something, how did UNLV know the envelope wasn't signed on the back, since AADSAS processes them and a photocopy of the actual letter, not the envelope, goes to the school? I ask this because tow of my professors only initialled the flaps of the envelope and I hope it is not a problem? As well, last year when I applied all of my profs only initialled the flaps and they were processed by AADSAS and sent out with no problem.

 

[Bullfan16]

Hello, sorry to hear about your situation, I hope you got into somewhere at least. I am just curious about something, how did UNLV know the envelope wasn't signed on the back, since AADSAS processes them and a photocopy of the actual letter, not the envelope, goes to the school? I ask this because tow of my professors only initialled the flaps of the envelope and I hope it is not a problem? As well, last year when I applied all of my profs only initialled the flaps and they were processed by AADSAS and sent out with no problem.

I am not sure how they knew...they just did and I got a phone call from them saying that one of my LOR (a personal reference....I mentioned him in the previous post...the former faculty member at a dental school and former dentist) letters wasnt extremely official-looking so they wanted proof. I had to go back to him and his wife and ask him if he would re-send the letter and initial and/or sign the back of the envelope. I am not sure how else I can help you. I wouldnt worry about it. I am sure its no big deal and will work out. BTW, I got into 2 schools and am waitlisted at my state school....so no harsh feelings about UNLV...honestly didnt even want to go there because I am from IL and thats a bit far for me. The only reason I applied was because my fiance's dad (oral surgeon) recommended I apply there. UDM on the other hand...well you saw my previous post. Good luck

 

[*Tooth*fairy*]

I am not sure how they knew...they just did and I got a phone call from them saying that one of my LOR (a personal reference....I mentioned him in the previous post...the former faculty member at a dental school and former dentist) letters wasnt extremely official-looking so they wanted proof. I had to go back to him and his wife and ask him if he would re-send the letter and initial and/or sign the back of the envelope. I am not sure how else I can help you. I wouldnt worry about it. I am sure its no big deal and will work out. BTW, I got into 2 schools and am waitlisted at my state school....so no harsh feelings about UNLV...honestly didnt even want to go there because I am from IL and thats a bit far for me. The only reason I applied was because my fiance's dad (oral surgeon) recommended I apply there. UDM on the other hand...well you saw my previous post. Good luck

Is that U Illinois at Chicago? I that's a good school, I hope you get in!!! I so wanted to apply because I love Chicago but I am international so it is slim to none chance. P.S. Where else did you get in?