Sdn Reccomendation Letter if Applying Again

sanktank7

Full Member

10+ Year Member

7+ Year Member

Joined
Feb 24, 2008
Messages
90
Reaction score
0
  • #1

Is it a bad idea to reuse letters of recommendation from a previous application cycle? I am applying md/phd and have 5 letters already. I dont have any good reasons to get new ones from the same people since I think their letters were already pretty solid. I also dont have any new recommenders who I think could write more strongly in my favor.

That being said I am banking on much better essays, an earlier application, and stronger mcat score, and 3.8 gpa (gpa did not change)

Joined
Mar 24, 2009
Messages
2,128
Reaction score
0
  • #2

If you have outside confirmation that the letters are solid from an advisor or admissions-office consultation from a school where you were rejected last year, I think it's fine to reuse them. If it is possible to get some reprinted with a current date, do it. But if you can't, go with it anyway.

j-med

Senior Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Jan 8, 2006
Messages
319
Reaction score
0
  • #3

I have the same issue - would appreciate more thoughts on this topic. Thanks!

Fakesmile

Fakesmile

Full Member

10+ Year Member

7+ Year Member

Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
444
Reaction score
0
  • #4

Is it a bad idea to reuse letters of recommendation from a previous application cycle? I am applying md/phd and have 5 letters already. I dont have any good reasons to get new ones from the same people since I think their letters were already pretty solid. I also dont have any new recommenders who I think could write more strongly in my favor.

That being said I am banking on much better essays, an earlier application, and stronger mcat score, and 3.8 gpa (gpa did not change)

Could you explain what you mean by reusing them? Are the letters not sealed by your LOR writers? Otherwise, how would you know they are the exact same letters?

ruraldr

Full Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Oct 19, 2007
Messages
272
Reaction score
0
  • #5

I re-applied successfully last cycle and used the identical letters I used the year before. I did confirm with a couple schools that the letters were solid and not the source of any troubles.

Best of luck with your re-application.

:xf:

sanktank7

Full Member

10+ Year Member

7+ Year Member

Joined
Feb 24, 2008
Messages
90
Reaction score
0
  • #6

By reuse I mean that these letters were sent to my school's letter service and were stored there. I got them copied and sent to all the schools I applied to last year and after that they were stored in my letter service account (all letters were and continue to be confidential).

I think that is a good suggestion about the letters - I trust my writers but how can I ask a third party about what they say without breaking confidentiality, can you just ask admissions people from schools youve previously been rejected to? I dont want to make them feel weird, perhaps they are allowed to be vague about it?

ruraldr

Full Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Oct 19, 2007
Messages
272
Reaction score
0
  • #7

I think that is a good suggestion about the letters - I trust my writers but how can I ask a third party about what they say without breaking confidentiality, can you just ask admissions people from schools youve previously been rejected to? I dont want to make them feel weird, perhaps they are allowed to be vague about it?

I didn't ask about the content specifically, but focused on if the admissions folks felt the letters were a point of weakness/if I should get additional letters or replacement letters. I only spoke to schools I was waitlisted at, but was able to get feedback that I trusted and those I spoke to seemed to feel that since they were speaking generally they were not breaking any confidentiality rules.
:luck:

Kneige

Kneige

Full Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Jan 24, 2008
Messages
149
Reaction score
0
  • #8

If you have letters stored in Interfolio or VE, have them 'updated'. And it means just asking the writers to upload again with a new date. The schools want at least the date updated. Hope it helps.

mvenus929

Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
7,304
Reaction score
2,166
  • #9

I reused one of my letters, had another professor update his letter, and then got two new letters.

thegymbum

thegymbum

Senior Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
204
Reaction score
1
  • #10

Do you think schools frown upon reusing letters? I had really strong letters of recommendation for my first application cycle, and was accepted, but due to health reasons I had to leave after my first year. I'm now reapplying, and am out of touch with most of the people that originally wrote my letters, and know it would save a lot of stress to be able to reuse. But would it look bad that they were 3 years old..?

dingyibvs

Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
5,446
Reaction score
30
  • #11

Do you think schools frown upon reusing letters? I had really strong letters of recommendation for my first application cycle, and was accepted, but due to health reasons I had to leave after my first year. I'm now reapplying, and am out of touch with most of the people that originally wrote my letters, and know it would save a lot of stress to be able to reuse. But would it look bad that they were 3 years old..?

3 years is probably too old.

If it's only 1 year apart, then go ahead and use them. Make sure to check with the schools and find out if the letters were bad, of course. Also, it's a good idea to get at least one new letter that can reflect on your work this past year as well.

Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
2,690
Reaction score
3
  • #12

I re-applied successfully last cycle and used the identical letters I used the year before. I did confirm with a couple schools that the letters were solid and not the source of any troubles.

Best of luck with your re-application.

:xf:

ooooh, I never knew you could do that!

Zucchini

Zucchini

Full Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
  • #13

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I had a related question. It's been mentioned that if you had your letters uploaded to VE, Interfolio, etc, you can reuse the letters for your next application cycle. But my letters were all uploaded directly to AMCAS. Is there any way to reuse any of them?

I'd really like to avoid asking my professors to rewrite their letters...:scared:

Joined
Aug 5, 2008
Messages
751
Reaction score
0
  • #14

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I had a related question. It's been mentioned that if you had your letters uploaded to VE, Interfolio, etc, you can reuse the letters for your next application cycle. But my letters were all uploaded directly to AMCAS. Is there any way to reuse any of them?

I'd really like to avoid asking my professors to rewrite their letters...:scared:

As far as I know, letters uploaded to AMCAS are not stored and thus cannot be used in the next application cycle. It's best to have your writers send them to Interfolio or VE if you want to use them again in the future.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Full Member

10+ Year Member

5+ Year Member

Joined
Aug 22, 2008
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
  • #15

As far as I know, letters uploaded to AMCAS are not stored and thus cannot be used in the next application cycle. It's best to have your writers send them to Interfolio or VE if you want to use them again in the future.

Thanks for your answer. I guess I should go prepare myself for a few awkward conversations now about why I need them re-sent...

garrettsomptince.blogspot.com

Source: https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/re-using-letters-of-recommendation.644852/

0 Response to "Sdn Reccomendation Letter if Applying Again"

Post a Comment

Iklan Atas Artikel

Iklan Tengah Artikel 1

Iklan Tengah Artikel 2

Iklan Bawah Artikel