Best way to get recommendation letters for summer research?

[monkeyMD]

Why do we even need rec letters as MEDICAL students, I have no idea. But I need them.

What is the best way to obtain recommendation letters in med school for summer research programs? Who should you get it from?

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[hyperchicken]

One program I applied to wanted TWO rec letters from med school faculty members...that was kind of a tall order since I'm only a few months into first year AND I never attend lecture. Luckily I happen to have two clinical skills small group facilitators who got to know me pretty well, so I asked them.

 

[jules14]

As a current MS1, I got my letters of rec from people who wrote me letters for med school apps. If they still have the letters they wrote for you, it shouldn't be too difficult for them to just change a few things to fit the program you're applying to.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

Why do we even need rec letters as MEDICAL students, I have no idea. But I need them.

What is the best way to obtain recommendation letters in med school for summer research programs? Who should you get it from?

If you aren't too far removed from undergrad, email/call some of your undergrad profs.

 

[perplexedpixel]

When I applied to a summer research program after my MS1 year, I got my small group facilitator to write a letter of recommendation. I agree that if you're not too far removed from undergrad, I'd ask one of the faculty members who wrote your letter for medical school. At my school, we have 2 small group faculty facilitators and an orientation group faculty mentor. Perhaps your dean or faculty member from lecture may be willing to write one for you if you make an effort to know them better and demonstrate interest in learning and research. However, if you're already on clinical rotations, it shouldn't be that difficult to find someone if you worked hard. You could also look for research programs that do not require letters of recommendation. A few of them existed when I was an MS1. Good luck!