Bad letter of rec

[Nomemal]

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So I’m applying to this one early program (not through aamcas) and I need 3 letters of rec ( doesn’t have to be Professor). I have 2 pretty good ones from a previous professor and a doctor I have shadowed. The 3rd one will be just a verification letter of my volunteer service/role/hours. I don’t have any other options really and was wondering how bad this would hurt me.

My gpa, test score are around their average, essays are really good, and experience is pretty good too. I have a few essays left, should I not even bother applying? I’ve already put in a bunch of hours on the essays, and payed for my transcripts and test scores to be sent.

 

[Catalystik]

So I’m applying to this one early program (not through aamcas) and I need 3 letters of rec ( doesn’t have to be Professor). I have 2 pretty good ones from a previous professor and a doctor I have shadowed. The 3rd one will be just a verification letter of my volunteer service/role/hours. I don’t have any other options really and was wondering how bad this would hurt me.

My gpa, test score are around their average, essays are really good, and experience is pretty good too. I have a few essays left, should I not even bother applying? I’ve already put in a bunch of hours on the essays, and payed for my transcripts and test scores to be sent.

Are you applying to a med school outside the USA?

Perhaps you could provide the exact instructions your are given regarding LORs?

Please tell me you have had someone proofread your essays that "are really good."

 

[Nomemal]

Are you applying to a med school outside the USA?

Perhaps you could provide the exact instructions your are given regarding LORs?

Please tell me you have had someone proofread your essays that "are really good."

Yes I’ve kept having them proofread until multiple people have said they couldn’t find any issues and most go further and say they really stuck out and are some of the best they’ve read. The program is UToledo Medstart, their instructions aren’t clear but I emailed them and they said that LoR could be from anyone such as an employer and didn’t have to come from professors.

 

[Catalystik]

Yes I’ve kept having them proofread until multiple people have said they couldn’t find any issues and most go further and say they really stuck out and are some of the best they’ve read.

The program is UToledo Medstart, their instructions aren’t clear but I emailed them and they said that LoR could be from anyone such as an employer and didn’t have to come from professors.

I'm guessing you don't feel you've made enough of an impression on any other college faculty, thus far. What about a research PI, old teacher from HS, sport coach, faculty advisor for your student senate position, your direct patient escort supervisor (not the volunteer office coordinator), employer as a snowboard instructor? Or can you talk the hospital volunteer coordinator into making her confirmation of hours a bit more personal?

 

[Nomemal]

I'm guessing you don't feel you've made enough of an impression on any other college faculty, thus far. What about a research PI, old teacher from HS, sport coach, faculty advisor for your student senate position, your direct patient escort supervisor (not the volunteer office coordinator), employer as a snowboard instructor? Or can you take the hospital volunteer coordinator into making her confirmation of hours a bit more personal?

Yeah a lot of the other positions aren’t really viable either because I’ve recently started them (less than an year) and will probably ask for letters in 2 years when I apply as a senior. The other positions either were primarily student led or the supervisor just didn’t know me well as there wasn’t much interaction with them due to the nature of the work. But thanks for the suggestion, I will try to see what I can do with the letter so far.

 

[676188]

I sent my volunteer coordinator a copy of my personal statement before she wrote my LOR, so she could see what I said about my hospice volunteering time and incorporate into her letter similar thoughts (I asked if she wanted a copy first).