Hi all, I’m currently going through the application process. I’m applying for a BS/MD, due November 1st. The school does not use Common App and instead uses a ranking reference, which according to one of my other recommenders, takes quite a while to fill out.
In mid-August, I asked this recommender (someone outside of my school) for a recommendation letter. However, after numerous emails and repeatedly reminding them in person, I have yet to receive their recommendation letter.
Do I wait for this person’s recommendation? They are my liaison in the hospital and I thought it would provide some additional insight about me that could be helpful for a BS/MD. I also get along with them really well personally.
I’ve already met the required number of reference forms, but with all three of them being teachers I think a different perspective of me might affect my application. However, I also don’t want to rush this person and be too bothersome.
All in all, I would appreciate any advice for this situation.
They’re talked with me about it before and promised they would get it done, and wrote one of my reccs for a summer program that I got into as well. That’s why I’m a bit hesitant.
A logistical question…
Does the recommender send the recommendation letter directly to you or to the school?
Usually with Common App, students submit their materials while recommenders will be completing their part on their own. Their deadline is also a bit later than the students’. So if this were the common app, I’d say just add them as an additional/optional recommender and send in your application. Even if they never sent it in, their status as an additional recommender wouldn’t jeopardize your application.
But I am not sure how things would work with this system…
The recommender sends it directly to the school, but the school requires all forms to be due with the application and with the same deadline. They’ve finished my recommendation for that school but haven’t submitted anything for the Common App. As you mentioned, I’ll probably leave them as an additional recommender.