Angela Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Just wondering if anyone got into U of T without using the 3 extra grad references? I am asking because two of my OMSAS references are my supervisor and co-supervisor. Is it a real disadvantage to not max out your grad references? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 23, 2009 Report Share Posted September 23, 2009 Just wondering if anyone got into U of T without using the 3 extra grad references? I am asking because two of my OMSAS references are my supervisor and co-supervisor. Is it a real disadvantage to not max out your grad references? I have the same problem b/c I wanted all schools to get the LOR from my grad program director. I actually emailed UofT today to ask them if there's flex in how we send in all 6 letters (since i am sending a LOR wrt to my grad work now, can one letter in the grad package be on anything). Waiting to hear back. I'll likely send that letter in anyway (the non grad related one) and they can chuck it if they want.......unless i get cold feet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CD90.2 Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I don't think it matters too much. I got in with just the 3 OMSAS references (supervisor, co-supervisor, camp director). On the other hand, my friend submitted 3 additional ones. Just do what you are comfortable with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaveSense Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 If the references are of high quality, I'm pretty sure in this case its more = better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maadaputtar Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 the three extra reference letters that grad students can send later with the grad package, can they be from anyone, or they can only be from people who are related to you through graduate work, i.e. committee members, physicians, etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invincible110 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 yea I think i will send at least one other strong reference letter. But I don't know if I can get three. Do people ask their lab members for reference letters? Since I am sure they have interacted with you and have seen your progress through lab meetings and such. At the same time I have professors who know what research I am doing (since I am collaborating with some of their students), but I have never really sat down and talked with them about the project. I have taken grad level courses with them as well (and done well), but I don't know if that is enough for them to talk about me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 25, 2009 Report Share Posted September 25, 2009 the three extra reference letters that grad students can send later with the grad package, can they be from anyone, or they can only be from people who are related to you through graduate work, i.e. committee members, physicians, etc.? I called and asked and was told the three letters HAVE to be about your grad work. It sucks cause i did a one year (8 month) MBA. Not exactly a long time to develop enough relationships for 3 more letters, especially in a course based program......but apparently those are the breaks. and yup......my program director did gimme a letter but its part of my osmas app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CD90.2 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Hmm, sv3, to my understanding, the grad package is used to assess research productivity of the candidate. You sure MBA grads need to submit one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Hmm, sv3, to my understanding, the grad package is used to assess research productivity of the candidate. You sure MBA grads need to submit one? thanks for the lookout. I think as long as they are related to your grad studies you can send them in. I did my MBA in 8 months, plus my program director is one of my 3 osmas referees so i'm already hard up for more references. Maybe one or two more. I know this one prof liked me but the guy moved to Kentucky so i gotto track him down, after 5 yrs no less. I just might not though......considering the time that has passed, etc,. i dont wanna hand in an "average" letter cause i know my 3 osmas ones are bangin! At the same time, you don't wanna leave "money" on the table so we'll see. I have till December to get creative (unless my MCAT scores in Oct make this all a moot point) I won't be handing in any papers or such as you've pointed out. But the resume is pretty key and that's part of the package too. As is that one pager that your program director signs (a must) the MBA sure makes things different, thats for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3sican Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 yea I think i will send at least one other strong reference letter. But I don't know if I can get three. Do people ask their lab members for reference letters? Since I am sure they have interacted with you and have seen your progress through lab meetings and such. At the same time I have professors who know what research I am doing (since I am collaborating with some of their students), but I have never really sat down and talked with them about the project. I have taken grad level courses with them as well (and done well), but I don't know if that is enough for them to talk about me. I didn't send in any extra LORs last year and still got an interview (... which didn't go well). My supervisor was one of my original 3 referees, and I just had him send in another letter evaluating my work. I know a couple of grad students in the program who didn't send in any additional letters as well. A strong letter is a strong letter. I think that if you're trying to scrape together letters to add bulk, it prolly not a good idea. Just my $0.02. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 I didn't send in any extra LORs last year and still got an interview (... which didn't go well). My supervisor was one of my original 3 referees, and I just had him send in another letter evaluating my work. I know a couple of grad students in the program who didn't send in any additional letters as well. A strong letter is a strong letter. I think that if you're trying to scrape together letters to add bulk, it prolly not a good idea. Just my $0.02. isn't that an extra letter? but yeah totally right about letters being strong - these should be the only ones we provide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3sican Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 isn't that an extra letter? but yeah totally right about letters being strong - these should be the only ones we provide Yeah, you absolutely need to send in one letter from your supervisor. Don't forget to do this even if they are one of your 3 referees! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Yeah, you absolutely need to send in one letter from your supervisor. Don't forget to do this even if they are one of your 3 referees! what? i'm quite sure you don't have to send in two letters from your suprevisor. it says right on the website where are you getting your info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3sican Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 what? i'm quite sure you don't have to send in two letters from your suprevisor. it says right on the website where are you getting your info? from the OMSAS instruction book. here's the quote: "In addition to the required three references, a graduate applicant shall have his or her supervisor supply the Admissions Office with a confidential letter evaulating his or her research work and stating the expected date of completion of the degree, confirming that the degree, including successful defencse of a thesis if applicable, will be completed by June 30, 2010." i tried checking the u of t website with info on the supplemental application, but the link isn't working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 from the OMSAS instruction book. here's the quote: "In addition to the required three references, a graduate applicant shall have his or her supervisor supply the Admissions Office with a confidential letter evaulating his or her research work and stating the expected date of completion of the degree, confirming that the degree, including successful defencse of a thesis if applicable, will be completed by June 30, 2010." i tried checking the u of t website with info on the supplemental application, but the link isn't working. this is from UofT: The three reference letters submitted to OMSAS will be used by the Graduate Review Committee. In addition, graduate candidates may submit a maximum of three additional letters of reference regarding their graduate work. One of the letters submitted (whether with the initial OMSAS letters, or in this supplemental package) must be provided by your graduate supervisor, and must comment on your progress in your graduate program and confirm your expected date of completion. i beleive that means just one letter. Kind of redundant for two letters from the same person. might as well send in one longer letter instead i would think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Logic 101, haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3sican Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 this is from UofT: The three reference letters submitted to OMSAS will be used by the Graduate Review Committee. In addition, graduate candidates may submit a maximum of three additional letters of reference regarding their graduate work. One of the letters submitted (whether with the initial OMSAS letters, or in this supplemental package) must be provided by your graduate supervisor, and must comment on your progress in your graduate program and confirm your expected date of completion. i beleive that means just one letter. Kind of redundant for two letters from the same person. might as well send in one longer letter instead i would think? Hmmm, yeah, I think one letter would definitely be sufficient then... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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