Finding LOR's

[Tara Bell]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I realize each school has different requirements for their Letters of Recommendation, but most of them want a minimum of 3 letters from professors.

Currently, I don't know any professors and after racking my brain the only two people I can think of to ask for letters are a prior boss and my ex-math tutor (whose also a middle school teacher).

What I'm trying to ask is when I submit applications can I use these letters for all the schools I'm applying to or are they really strict on what they want?
Should I explain and/or make some kind of note, or just send the letters?

BTW, I hope to meet at least one professor this semester, but seeing as I'm applying in June I can't imagine developing a relationship with three teachers in such a short time frame!

Thanks for any advice.

 

[jl13]

I realize each school has different requirements for their Letters of Recommendation, but most of them want a minimum of 3 letters from professors.

Currently, I don't know any professors and after racking my brain the only two people I can think of to ask for letters are a prior boss and my ex-math tutor (whose also a middle school teacher).

What I'm trying to ask is when I submit applications can I use these letters for all the schools I'm applying to or are they really strict on what they want?
Should I explain and/or make some kind of note, or just send the letters?

BTW, I hope to meet at least one professor this semester, but seeing as I'm applying in June I can't imagine developing a relationship with three teachers in such a short time frame!

Thanks for any advice.

When schools say they want three LORs from professors, they want three LORs from professors. You won't be considered complete (and thus have a shot at an interview) until you have submitted the required LORs.

 

[aw42]

although jl13 is completely right (you should give the medschools exactly what they want)- you can still make use of your other references. Often, schools ask for professors and "1 extra" letter from someone else who isn't a professor. Just make sure that the referee knows you well. These extra letters should work to your advantage

 

[Dr Ginger]

Does your school have a premedical committee? My school has a premedical committee that requires 2 LORs from science professors and 1 non-science professor LOR. You can have up to 6 letters in the packet (the other three can be from MD/DO's your boss, etc). The committee then interviews you, reads your LOR's and writes you another LOR... kind of like a cover letter

From what i understand, you HAVE to use your school's committee packet if you have one. check to see what you school requires. If you dont have a committee, i would assume that you should have LOR's that follow the same general pattern of 2 science, 1 non-science and at least one MD/DO you have shadowed if you want to have a well-balanced application

all the schools get the same packet so i would think the requirements are all the same.