.

  • Thread starter Thread starter deleted645092
  • Start date Start date
This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Can't a doctor you scribe for write you a letter? If you had one of those, I don't see why you would need a supervisor one.
 
kevinsword91 said:
Can't a doctor you scribe for write you a letter? If you had one of those, I don't see why you would need a supervisor one.
Click to expand...

It's possible he already has a physician letter. Physician letters are fine, but a well-written, strongly positive letter from a supervisor is worth a lot. He doesn't have to put down the DOB or graduation year of the supervisor; it only reads the name and the title, and precedes a (hopefully) very positive letter from a managerial standpoint.

I understand that the supervisor may not have worked extensively with him, and that he worked longer/more intimately with a physician. But when higher-ups officially go on record to speak very strongly on your behalf (given that they have substantial, non-ambiguous information to contribute), that is certainly a strong credential to have (unless it is written by Kim Jun Un, that is).
 
One thing AAMC specifies that a writer should include is something about how this applicant stacks up against others the writer has known. It is always stronger to have a letter from someone who can say, "In my 38 years as a university professor, I have interacted with hundreds of TAs and Scrubley is among the top 5% of this very strong group..." than to have someone say, "In my three years as a college student I've interacted with a dozen TAs and Scrubly was the best."
 
LizzyM said:
One thing AAMC specifies that a writer should include is something about how this applicant stacks up against others the writer has known. It is always stronger to have a letter from someone who can say, "In my 38 years as a university professor, I have interacted with hundreds of TAs and Scrubley is among the top 5% of this very strong group..." than to have someone say, "In my three years as a college student I've interacted with a dozen TAs and Scrubly was the best."
Click to expand...

That's a very good point.

Take note, OP, that this supervisor probably does not have the experience to write you the type of letter that you need (they've only been at it for a year).
 
"scrublyfe21 is an awesome wingman, he got me some tang when we were at 'nam. he can drink anyone under the table and doesn't afraid of anything"
 
I believe that a letter that doesn't help is not just neutral, but rather detracts from the overall application. The impression that it leaves will be negative, and that impression will dilute and taint the impression of the good letters. It raises the suspicion that the applicant was desperate for letters, and that impression might remain, even if there are enough other good letters.

That said, the idea is not a bad one. I have been asked to write letters of recommendation several times for a former attending from my residency who became chair of the university department where I trained. Each time he was promoted, he asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him, in my role as a former student of his, attesting to his skills as a teacher and mentor. The university wanted letters from former trainees as part of the evaluation process. However, I don't think that the letter that you are suggesting would be a good idea in this context.
 
bc65 said:
I believe that a letter that doesn't help is not just neutral, but rather detracts from the overall application. The impression that it leaves will be negative, and that impression will dilute and taint the impression of the good letters. It raises the suspicion that the applicant was desperate for letters, and that impression might remain, even if there are enough other good letters.

That said, the idea is not a bad one. I have been asked to write letters of recommendation several times for a former attending from my residency who became chair of the university department where I trained. Each time he was promoted, he asked me to write a letter of recommendation for him, in my role as a former student of his, attesting to his skills as a teacher and mentor. The university wanted letters from former trainees as part of the evaluation process. However, I don't think that the letter that you are suggesting would be a good idea in this context.
Click to expand...

I think that's the key point. A letter from a peer in the situation you're describing makes sense. I don't think there's much that a peer letter can offer in the context of medical admissions.
 
I think that's the key point. A letter from a peer in the situation you're describing makes sense. I don't think there's much that a peer letter can offer in the context of medical admissions.
Click to expand...

Thanks for clarifying my point.

OP: In case I wasn't clear, see my first paragraph above. The peer letter will not help, and because it won't help, I feel that it will hurt.
 
You could describe these activities yourself as one of your volunteer or leadership activities on the AMCAS application. If there's some sort of faculty supervisor or advisor for your fraternity , perhaps he could write a letter describing you activities in this area .
 
I'm in a similar situation as the OP and was hoping to pick your brains about it. If you're involved in a group/job where your most immediate supervisor who could best speak for your abilities/traits is somebody who is also a peer, why would that be held against you? One of the volunteer groups I'm most involved in is pretty much completely student-run, and my supervisor/leader graduated only a year before me. I've been very dedicated to the group and would like a LOR to reflect that, but I have no options but this peer supervisor. What do you guys think?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top