Complicated letter of recommendation advice

[deleted980872]

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My dad called me today when he found out that one of his friends, the CEO of a large health system, is on the board (not the admissions board, the board board) at the nearby medical school which I applied to and it is my top choice. He mentioned that he would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation specific to that school. I feel I definitely need to use this connection, but I have a couple of concerns:

-He doesn't really know me. I mean, I can send him my CV and talk with him on the phone, but do you think he will be able to write me a good letter without having developed a stronger connection with me and not just my dad?
-I plan to call the school tomorrow and ask about letters of recommendation sent directly to the school/how to handle that since all my letters submitted through AACOMAS just go to all of the schools, and if this one would be specifically for one school, I would only want it to go there. Also, I am not sure if a late letter of recommendation would be considered since my application has already been completed for a while?

I don't want to waste the opportunity to use a connection like this, but I know connections aren't necessarily everything when applying to medical school. If anyone can shed some light on a course of action here, that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PA_dud3]

I mean it can't hurt. I can't say that it would be all that helpful, but if you can add another LoR on without putting a burdern on yourself or the writer, you only stand to gain. In my mind at least. Of course, granted it is a strong LoR.

 

[futurexray]

It will be as good as a letter from a doctor that you spent two hours shadowing and he writes a recommendation.

 

[Coltuna]

My dad called me today when he found out that one of his friends, the CEO of a large health system, is on the board (not the admissions board, the board board) at the nearby medical school which I applied to and it is my top choice. He mentioned that he would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation specific to that school. I feel I definitely need to use this connection, but I have a couple of concerns:

-He doesn't really know me. I mean, I can send him my CV and talk with him on the phone, but do you think he will be able to write me a good letter without having developed a stronger connection with me and not just my dad?
-I plan to call the school tomorrow and ask about letters of recommendation sent directly to the school/how to handle that since all my letters submitted through AACOMAS just go to all of the schools, and if this one would be specifically for one school, I would only want it to go there. Also, I am not sure if a late letter of recommendation would be considered since my application has already been completed for a while?

I don't want to waste the opportunity to use a connection like this, but I know connections aren't necessarily everything when applying to medical school. If anyone can shed some light on a course of action here, that would be greatly appreciated.

Use the letter.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

When I am asked to write a LOR for a student I dont know, I usually ask to take them to lunch and get to know them a little. I also ask for a CV. I feel I can write a stronger letter if I spend some time with them. Maybe offer to meet with them in some way if they believe it might be helpful.

 

[Schwifty]

Talk with the writer, send your CV, and use that letter. Good luck!

 

[Doc_Ock]

Use it.