Amount and types of LOR needed for application

[Ursa_Major]

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Hi,

How many letters of recommendation are needed for the med school application and what kinds should they be?

Could anyone confirm that the usual should be:
- 2-3 from science professors
- 1 from research PI
- 1 that speaks about your character (ex. volunteer coordinator)

Thank you!

 

[DameJulie]

on top of that list I would recommend 1-2 non-science professors. Also secure letters from employers, coaches, clinical supervisors if applicable.

 

[raf1ki]

Those are all viable sources, but I was under the impression that it may be to your disadvantage to have too many letters, because you will be generally dipping into a pool of weaker letters and watering yourself down.

 

[lpp06]

At the very minimum:

2 Science Professors
1 Non - Science

 

[idontknowwhatnametopick]

I did what @lpp06 says, and all 3 of my letters were from professors who knew me REALLY well.
I wish I'd had one more letter from someone who wasn't a professor. That being said I got into 3 great schools with just the 3 LORs.

 

[MedicalMermaid]

Out of curiosity, do the schools enforce the 2 science professor LOR policy? For example, if an applicant provided letters from other professors/supervisors/physicians/etc., could their application be rejected just because they did not have 2 letters written by science professors?

 

[gyngyn]

Out of curiosity, do the schools enforce the 2 science professor LOR policy? For example, if an applicant provided letters from other professors/supervisors/physicians/etc., could their application be rejected just because they did not have 2 letters written by science professors?

That application will be at the mercy of the screener. Some will consider failure to follow instructions sufficient reason to give only a cursory look at the rest of the application.

 

[begoood95]

That application will be at the mercy of the screener. Some will consider failure to follow instructions sufficient reason to give only a cursory look at the rest of the application.

What if my research PI was also my chemistry professor? Should I instruct him to note both roles? I've done research with him for almost 3 years now, so that part is more significant -- but he was still technically my chemistry professor at one point.

 

[OchemOficionado]

A math professor counts as non-science, right?

 

[MedicalMermaid]

@gyngyn Thank you for the response!

@gonnif touched on this, but as for the definition of "science" professor, would they be only those who teach BCPM courses or any science course (for example, health sciences)? Or, would you say this varies from school to school?

 

[gyngyn]

What if my research PI was also my chemistry professor? Should I instruct him to note both roles? I've done research with him for almost 3 years now, so that part is more significant -- but he was still technically my chemistry professor at one point.

If he taught you a chemistry course, his letter will count as science. It would be natural for him to discuss your work in the lab in the same letter.

 

[gyngyn]

A math professor counts as non-science, right?

If you need it to count as non-science, it's fine (unless a school gives a specific definition that includes math as science).

 

[BeddingfieldMD]

Each school usually has specific instructions or recommendations. Your best bet is to follow these guidelines. You're correct that most will want something like 2 science professors and 1 "other" letter--which could be a non-science faculty, a research advisor, employer, etc. Definitely don't provide more letters than they recommend, thinking "if 3 is good, 5 is better." This will do nothing but annoy admissions officers who already have way too much crap to read each admissions cycle.

 

[EverStriving]

Actually I've found in researching my own school list that the 2 science instructor, plus 1 non-science instructor rule is the very small minority. A lot of schools are just looking for people that can judge your academic aptitude, and so have requirements like:

"2 from people knowledgeable about your scientific aptitude (PIs or academic mentors count)"
"2 from instructors of upper-division courses (science or non-science)"
"3 from teachers at your undergrad (science or non-science)"
"1 from science faculty"
"2 from courses, at least one of which is science"

Quite a few have no specific requirements at all. In the rare case one might be required from a non-academic individual (e.g. a volunteer or work supervisor). It depends entirely on what schools you're applying to. And if you're missing one of the 'holy trinity', there are still tons of schools you will be able to apply to with what letters you have. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get a second science instructor letter this year, but even if I hadn't I would only have had to replace 2 schools off my list of 20. And since the second science letter I got is from someone who hasn't known me as long as the rest of my letters, that one will only be going to the schools that specifically require it.

The 2 science, one non-science instructors rule is good because you will be able to apply to almost any school with those three letters. But 1 science, 1 non-science, and 1 flexible (science/non-science/research as you have available) still seems to qualify you for 90% of schools.