There are some basic, common questions about the AADSAS application. Time and time again, people make threads asking the same little things. "How do I use Interfolio?" "Do I use full sentences instead of bullets for my activity descriptions?" etc etc.
Instead of having tons of threads, how about everyone post those little questions here. It would also be good to have a centralized thread where people can look to see if their application questions have already been answered.
If you guys think of anything that you've seen come up a bunch, go ahead and post it! I'll start by answering a few things that I can think of right now.
Should I use sentences or bullets when describing my activities?
Hey guys, I remember a few people asking about whether they should use bullets or sentences for the Professional Experience section. During the webinar AADSAS had recently, the woman was saying that she suggests using bullets because adcoms read hundreds of applications a day so it just makes it easier for them when bullets are used. I spoke with my advisor about this and she said to do whatever you're comfortable with, but using bullets does allow you to provide more information. She also said not to worry about adcoms thinking that you're lazy/a bad writer for not using sentences. They'll see how strong of a writer you are from your PS.
I thought this bit of advice could help some of you. I'm in the process of changing my descriptions to bullet form.
Last edited: Jun 23, 2014Tell me about Interfolio. Should I use it? How does it work?
Here are instructions from 2013. Someone please update these if they're wrong.
Okay, so Interfolio is a paid service that you can use to store and send your recommendation letters. By and large, I think it is a good thing to use. I'll start by saying that the only con I have found to using it is that it takes longer for AADSAS to load rec letters sent via Interfolio. For example, one of my professors uploaded straight to AADSAS and it was instantaneous. On the other hand, it took over a week for my Interfolio letters to be uploaded to my application once they were delivered (which is electronic, BTW).
Interfolio is particularly useful if you think you may need to apply more than once. They'll store your letters for you, so you won't have to go and bother your professors to submit them again. There are 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year plans that you can purchase. Regardless of the plan, I think Interfolio stores your letters for 5 years (but don't hold me to that). So, even if you only purchased the 1 year plan and had to apply again, you could just renew your subscription and they'd still be there.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS
1. Sign up for Interfolio, choosing whatever plan you want.
2. In your Dossier, "Request Recommendation."
3. Fill in required stuff.
4. Check YES that the letter must be signed and YES that it is confidential.
5. Request via email (unless, for some reason or another, you want to hand the request to your recommender).
6. If you already have uploaded your PS or resumé , you can theoretically pick them as a "supporting document" to send to your evaluator.
8. Upload your LOE matching forms to Interfolio (get them from your AADSAS account). You can fill them out yourself, as they don't require a signature.
These next instructions are taken directly from Interfolio.
You can use your Interfolio Dossier to deliver letters of recommendation to your ADEA AADSAS application. To expedite AADSAS's processing of your delivery, you should include the matching AADSAS Letter of Evaluation form for each letter you send. Here are the steps you need to complete an electronic delivery to AADSAS:
1. Log in to your AADSAS application and indicate that you will send your documents by paper delivery. This is important because of the way AADSAS processes documents sent from Interfolio's electronic delivery process.
2. Next, log into your Interfolio account. Go to your Account Settings to add your AADSAS ID to your account. For help adding your AADSAS ID, check out Adding IDs to Your Account.
3. Start a new delivery, and type AADSAS in the search box.
4. Add each document and it's corresponding Letter of Evaluation form (downloaded off the ADEA AADSAS application) that you would like to send.
5. Check out your delivery. It takes 7 to 10 business days for AADSAS to process your documents into your AADSAS application.
Note: AADSAS accepts no more than four letters through its centralized letters service. If you send AADSAS more than four letters, the extra letters will be discarded.
MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON UPLOADING MATCHING FORMS AND SCHEDULING A DELIVERY
1. Print out matching from AADSAS.
2. Fill it out for each evaluator.
3. Scan into computer.
4. Log into your account.
5. Go to "manage dossier."
6. Click the "+Add" button in the upper left corner.
7. Upload your matching forms.
8. The forms should now be in your dossier.
9. Click the "new delivery" button in the upper left corner.
10. Put in "AADSAS" as the delivery location and select it.
11. Add all necessary document to the delivery.
12. On the next page, if you haven't already, click the blue link that says, "I'd like to associate an ID number with this application." You can then add your AADSAS ID# to your delivery, which should makes things easier for AADSAS to link them to your file (although it should already be easy).
