Additional LOR from student at a med school?

[theWUbear]

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I have an idea I'd like to hear your opinions on, SDN:

I have my 5 LOR's picked out. 3 profs (2 science, 1 non science), 1 physician with whom i did patient research, 1 PhD with whom I performed bench research.

I'm going to send them to all my schools.

A third year med student at Reach School A, with whom I was on a high school tennis team and was friends with in high school, and have kept up with, told me recently that he was really impressed with my honoring a med school course, pulling a 3.9 the last couple years, and really seeming determined to get into med school - specifically his school, Reach School A. He went to far as to offer to write a student letter on my behalf.

Obviously, I wouldn't submit a letter from a high school friend as one of my 5 letters. However, would it be unreasonable post-secondary or post-interview next year, around the time that I am doing things like writing a letter of interest stating that Reach School A is my top choice, to have him write admissions a letter on my behalf stating that he is impressed with my work ethic and determination and knows my desire to attend Reach School A?

Thanks for your advice

 

[Rustifer]

Honestly I think the med school might take your friends recommendation into some consideration. However, I doubt it would be the deciding factor as to whether you were accepted.

 

[Disinence2]

Sounds like a good option if you need a letter of reference for some volunteering etc.

A med student letter will be absolutely worthless. Find someone with at least a few letters after their name.

If he really wants to help you get in, he can probably hook you up with interview questions, and write a letter to his own dean of admissions in an attempt to help you out.


I would seriously avoid this option.

 

[eli20]

5 is already quite a few letters. Remember quality over quantity.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Unless they specifically request a letter from an acquaintance who is not an employer or professor, I would not include the letter. Even though you'd think that someone in med school would be the best person to assess whether someone he knows can make it through med school, that letter will basically be ignored. Professionals or bust.

 

[theWUbear]

Thanks for the advice.

Follow up question:

People send additional LOR's to schools post-secondary, post-interview, or while on wait list, correct? If so, would it be more legitimate than my first option to approach the physicians I've worked with who are alumni of Reach School A and have one or two of them mail the admissions department a LOR, perhaps after I've turned in my secondary? I imagine this would have similar effect to the letter of update/letter of interest action

 

[theWUbear]

bump

 

[searun]

I did exactly what you are proposing. I had a 4th year student at the top 10 med school I now attend write a letter of recommendation for me post interview. I was accepted. Cause and effect. Beats me. I think it helped. Good luck.

 

[KickedOut]

Just thought I would point out that the University of Florida specifically requires that applicants submit a letter of recommendation as a character reference from a peer (friend, classmate, co-worker).

I can't imagine that it would hurt your application. Best of luck next year!

 

[jbz24]

Don't send such a letter yourself, but if a student at the med school wants to shoot an e-mail to the admission committee, that can only help you.

 

[theWUbear]

I did exactly what you are proposing. I had a 4th year student at the top 10 med school I now attend write a letter of recommendation for me post interview. I was accepted. Cause and effect. Beats me. I think it helped. Good luck.

Don't send such a letter yourself, but if a student at the med school wants to shoot an e-mail to the admission committee, that can only help you.

So I will probably end up doing this. MilkmanAl is probably correct in pointing out that schools may ignore it. However, reasonably speaking, it couldn't hurt to do it.

Here is my current dilemma:

For the most part, people send these 'extra letters' post-interview. I am an applicant with a high MCAT, graduating with a second degree in biology summa cum laude (3.9) and finishing a SMP with a 4.0. Let's assume the rest of my application is spectacular (research pubs/LOR's/interview skill, etc).

The number for my undergrad GPA (despite a second degree graduating summa cum laude in Bio) is a 2.9.

I will probably get screened out pre-interview at Reach School A, right? (it is a top 20 school)

If so, and assuming I am a great interviewee and besides the GPA number my application is fantastic, would you have these people (alumns and current student) send the letters post secondary pre-interview?

I think I may have no option but to do that. If you have any ideas, your opinions are welcome. Thanks to everyone for their help so far 🙂

 

[jbz24]

So I will probably end up doing this. MilkmanAl is probably correct in pointing out that schools may ignore it. However, reasonably speaking, it couldn't hurt to do it.

Here is my current dilemma:

For the most part, people send these 'extra letters' post-interview. I am an applicant with a high MCAT, graduating with a second degree in biology summa cum laude (3.9) and finishing a SMP with a 4.0. Let's assume the rest of my application is spectacular (research pubs/LOR's/interview skill, etc).

The number for my undergrad GPA (despite a second degree graduating summa cum laude in Bio) is a 2.9.

I will probably get screened out pre-interview at Reach School A, right? (it is a top 20 school)

If so, and assuming I am a great interviewee and besides the GPA number my application is fantastic, would you have these people (alumns and current student) send the letters post secondary pre-interview?

I think I may have no option but to do that. If you have any ideas, your opinions are welcome. Thanks to everyone for their help so far 🙂

That would be the ideal time for you then. Basically, your friend would alert the dean of admissions of your application so that it can get a legitimate review instead of an automatic screen. The outcome may still end up being the same in the end, but I would give it a shot if your friend is willing. I've done it for people I knew and have gotten them interviews before. Of course, every school is different, and may care less about student opinions than other schools.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Don't send such a letter yourself, but if a student at the med school wants to shoot an e-mail to the admission committee, that can only help you.

That's assuming he knows how to write a good med school-related rec. Make sure he does his homework.

 

[jbz24]

That's assuming he knows how to write a good med school-related rec. Make sure he does his homework.

Doesn't need to be an official LoR. Even just an e-mail saying something as basic as:

Dear Dean of Admissions,

I am e-mailing you to let you know about someone I know who is applying to the medical school this year. His name is xyz and is AAMC number is 1234567. I've been good friends with xyz for a while and think he would be an excellent candidate and a great fit for our school. I know xyz has been in an SMP and has been doing fantastic. He's also been doing some really interesting patient and bench research. I just wanted to e-mail you so that you were aware of his application. Thanks for your time.

Signed,
Med school friend

This is basically what I've done in the past and it's worked. But of course it depends if the dean of admissions at your reach school is receptive to student opinions. They generally are, but some may not be.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Don't send such a letter yourself, but if a student at the med school wants to shoot an e-mail to the admission committee, that can only help you.

Yeah this isn't a bad idea. If you want the student to advocate for you at his own school basically. I've done this for people I know.

DO NOT SEND a letter from a medical student to all schools. Its one thing for them to advocate at their own school but a general letter from a medical student going to all schools saying you're a great guy is useless.