(another) LOR question!!

[MedicineMike]

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So I have a question regarding LORs. I was a division-I college athlete (NCAA All-American, etc blah blah blah) and I am getting one LOR from my Head Coach/2008 Olympic Coach. The second one will probably be from my Chemistry professor. The 3rd is iffy. Tell me what you think about this one as my 3rd...I volunteer in the ER at one of the nations busiest Level-1 trauma centers. It has 1700+ volunteers. The lady in charge of all 1700 volunteers is willing to write me a LOR. My question is...Do you think this LOR will be a good one? Should I get one from an MD/DO instead? or both?

Thanks!

 

[bannie22]

you can get 4 you know.

 

[BlueElmo]

Yeah, get all 4.

 

[MedicineMike]

Yeah, get all 4.

Does the Volunteer head LOR pull any weight at all or would it just be a waste? I don't have a lock on a physician LOR yet, but it's in the works. Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[bannie22]

then get 5.-.-

 

[BlueElmo]

Does the Volunteer head LOR pull any weight at all or would it just be a waste? I don't have a lock on a physician LOR yet, but it's in the works. Thanks for the quick replies!

It probably won't mean a huge deal, but better than nothing, IMO.

 

[Catalystik]

Schools have variable requirements, so it's good to have all of the above in the bag. Many require two LORs from science faculty, so think about who you'd get the second one from.

 

[rHinO1]

For most schools you will need 2 science profs & 1 non science prof to write you letters. Automatically that should be your first 3. I think the coach sounds great for the 4th letter. For your 5th either the volunteer coordinator or a physician should be fine. However, a physician letter would be preferrable since it is from a peer of the adcoms. If you still don't know which is better between a physician and the coordinator then go with who ever knows you better.

 

[Morsetlis]

For most schools you will need 2 science profs & 1 non science prof to write you letters. Automatically that should be your first 3. I think the coach sounds great for the 4th letter. For your 5th either the volunteer coordinator or a physician should be fine. However, a physician letter would be preferrable since it is from a peer of the adcoms. If you still don't know which is better between a physician and the coordinator then go with who ever knows you better.

Make two LOR packets (I know that my school at least will allow you to specify which letters you want to be sent for each packet). For the schools that require 2 science, put the 2 science profs in. The schools that don't, take out a science prof and put in somebody that knows you better.

The content matters more than the person writing it (of course, you can't have a friend write it, and it better be on official letterhead). Regardless if what you choose, make sure to discuss over what would be appropriate for them to write on the letter, and what you think med schools prefer. Physicians are notorious for not having enough time... some might just tell you to draft something up for them to review and sign...

 

[MedicineMike]

ok sounds good. Are the LOR requirements listed on the schools websites in most cases?

 

[Morsetlis]

ok sounds good. Are the LOR requirements listed on the schools websites in most cases?

Either that or on the secondary application website.

 

[MedicineMike]

Either that or on the secondary application website.

where would i find this?

 

[rHinO1]

where would i find this?

Just go to the school admissions website. The LOR requirements are usually listed under "requirements" or "FAQ."

 

[dw2158]

Just go to the school admissions website. The LOR requirements are usually listed under "requirements" or "FAQ."

or check this year's school-specific threads. the requirements will almost definitely not change for this coming app cycle.

 

[amberkas11309]

would a letter of recommendation be acceptable from your college coach?

 

[BlueElmo]

would a letter of recommendation be acceptable from your college coach?

Of course it will be.

 

[amberkas11309]

o thats cool. I figured a recommendation from a coach could be bias....i wouldnt think my coach would say anything negative about me...but i guess u never know!

 

[MrCheetah]

So I have a question regarding LORs. I was a division-I college athlete (NCAA All-American, etc blah blah blah) and I am getting one LOR from my Head Coach/2008 Olympic Coach. The second one will probably be from my Chemistry professor. The 3rd is iffy. Tell me what you think about this one as my 3rd...I volunteer in the ER at one of the nations busiest Level-1 trauma centers. It has 1700+ volunteers. The lady in charge of all 1700 volunteers is willing to write me a LOR. My question is...Do you think this LOR will be a good one? Should I get one from an MD/DO instead? or both?

Thanks!

Fail. Two Science LOR's ftw. Find another science prof to write you one.

 

[rHinO1]

o thats cool. I figured a recommendation from a coach could be bias....i wouldnt think my coach would say anything negative about me...but i guess u never know!

well, you don't want to ask anyone who would say something negative about you. Personally I don't think a coach is the stongest letter someone can get, but I think it could work as a 4th or 5th letter. It might set you apart from other apps if it is really good (he mentioned the olympics). For my 4th and 5th letter I asked my research PI and an MD I worked with for 3 years. I still think the first 3 must be 2 sci profs and 1 non scie prof. It would suck not to be considered at a school b/c you don't meet the requirements. You should never count on schools making an exception for you either.

 

[Morsetlis]

well, you don't want to ask anyone who would say something negative about you. Personally I don't think a coach is the stongest letter someone can get, but I think it could work as a 4th or 5th letter. It might set you apart from other apps if it is really good (he mentioned the olympics). For my 4th and 5th letter I asked my research PI and an MD I worked with for 3 years. I still think the first 3 must be 2 sci profs and 1 non scie prof. It would suck not to be considered at a school b/c you don't meet the requirements. You should never count on schools making an exception for you either.

They don't make exceptions. I tried talking to the Dean at this particular school and all that, but nope.

As for the coach, just give them an example or an outline of what topics you'd want on the letter. Sometimes they might forget that you're applying to medical school.