SOPHAS application and LORs

[faerare]

Hi all,

 

I'm applying to three biostatistics schools that use SOPHAS for their application, and 2/3 have deadlines on December 1st. I recently e-submitted the application and 2/3 LORs are now in, so hopefully they will verify my application soon.

 

My third recommendation writer made it clear when I asked him in early September that he would be more than happy to write a letter for me but probably wouldn't be able to do it until Thanksgiving break. At the time, I was unaware of all the processing details for SOPHAS and said that should be fine.

 

I am concerned that my applications won't be submitted by SOPHAS in time if my third recommender doesn't finish his form until late November. Does anyone have any insight on this? If my application is already e-submitted and has been verified by SOPHAS, will it just be mailed immediately as soon as he finishes his LOR? Or should I ask him to try to do it sooner? I am fearful that my application will be late and will basically be disregarded at these two schools....

 

If anyone who applied last year has experience with this, that would also be super helpful. I am getting pretty frustrated with SOPHAS.

 

Thanks.

[mpheels]

The completely unhelpful answer is that it depends on the school. Some require that you have everything submitted by the deadline, but it doesn't matter how long it takes for SOPHAS to process and mail. Others require that everything be submitted to SOPHAS, processed and at the school by the deadline. To make it more complicated, some schools will accept applications if 2/3 letters are ready and others require all components. You should be able to find specifics for you schools, and go from there.

[faerare]

Hmm... one school says this:

 

By the posted deadline, applicant must E-submit their application to SOPHAS and all required documents received by SOPHAS.

 

And the other school says this:

 

To receive priority consideration for collegiate level merit-based awards, applications must be submitted and complete, with all required supporting documentation, by Dec. 1. Applicants meeting the priority deadline will be automatically considered for a range of School of Public Health scholarships. Applications submitted/complete after Dec. 1 will be given scholarship consideration based on availability of funds.

 

For school one, it seems like I should be okay as long as all documents are submitted by Dec. 1st. For the other school, I'm not sure. I'm probably going to play it safe and email admissions at both schools with my query... thanks for your help though!

 

[katethekitcat]

SOPHAS verifies and mails our your application with only two letters of recommendation. Once they receive the third letter, it is uploaded immediately and schools are notified that the third letter has arrived.