MCATExamkrackers
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Mentors are crucial for your application to medical school. Not just any professor or contact in the community will do – you want a mentor that knows you and understands why you are passionate about medicine.
The ideal recommender can discuss your personality, strengths, and credentials for undertaking the path to becoming a doctor. Even better is a mentor that is a doctor and can attest to the demands of medical school and your readiness for medical training.
As a reminder, you’ll need at least 2 letters from science professors and 1 from a non-science teacher or extracurricular mentor. We’d recommend sending up to 6 letters that balance your academic prowess and commitment to the community. Make sure you know if your school offers a committee letter – this is similar to a cover letter that summarizes comments from all your recommenders and assesses your preparedness for medical school. You must send a committee letter from your school if it is offered.
But how do you find those perfect mentors?
· Start early: Go to office hours and departmental events to get to know professors that have shaped your pre-med career. Ask about their research or medical practice, if these mentors are doctors.
· Think longitudinally: Choose recommenders that know you for more than just one semester. Ideal people have known you for 2 or more years
· Be professional: It’s natural to be nervous when asking for a recommendation letter. Just remember that most people are flattered to be asked! Give your recommender 2-3 months and an updated resume and personal statement to help them draft the best letter.
· Highlight specific areas: Ask your mentor to highlight certain parts of your preparation. For example, if your mentor is the head of the lab you work in, ask her to discuss your critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills.
“Can you positively support my application to medical school?”
This is the most important question you can ask your mentor. You want to be sure that your mentor knows you well enough to write a stellar letter of recommendation! Asking this question can ensure that your mentor has all the information he or she needs and knows you well enough.
The ideal recommender can discuss your personality, strengths, and credentials for undertaking the path to becoming a doctor. Even better is a mentor that is a doctor and can attest to the demands of medical school and your readiness for medical training.
As a reminder, you’ll need at least 2 letters from science professors and 1 from a non-science teacher or extracurricular mentor. We’d recommend sending up to 6 letters that balance your academic prowess and commitment to the community. Make sure you know if your school offers a committee letter – this is similar to a cover letter that summarizes comments from all your recommenders and assesses your preparedness for medical school. You must send a committee letter from your school if it is offered.
But how do you find those perfect mentors?
· Start early: Go to office hours and departmental events to get to know professors that have shaped your pre-med career. Ask about their research or medical practice, if these mentors are doctors.
· Think longitudinally: Choose recommenders that know you for more than just one semester. Ideal people have known you for 2 or more years
· Be professional: It’s natural to be nervous when asking for a recommendation letter. Just remember that most people are flattered to be asked! Give your recommender 2-3 months and an updated resume and personal statement to help them draft the best letter.
· Highlight specific areas: Ask your mentor to highlight certain parts of your preparation. For example, if your mentor is the head of the lab you work in, ask her to discuss your critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills.
“Can you positively support my application to medical school?”
This is the most important question you can ask your mentor. You want to be sure that your mentor knows you well enough to write a stellar letter of recommendation! Asking this question can ensure that your mentor has all the information he or she needs and knows you well enough.
