Graduated long time ago => From whom to get letters of recommendation?

[saoj]

I graduated in 1998 (i know, sucks) so my question is: From whom should I get recommendation letters? What is the minimum number of recommendation letters I should get?

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[Rouelle]

I graduated in 1998 (i know, sucks) so my question is: From whom should I get recommendation letters? What is the minimum number of recommendation letters I should get?

Some possibilities:
-If you did research with a professor as an undergrad the prof (assuming s/he is still around) will likely still remember you, especially if it was a meaningful research experience and not simply a do-nothing resume padding sort of thing.
-Professors for any post-bacc classes you may be taking now.
-Supervisors for any volunteering activity relevant to the school to which you will be applying.
-People you've shadowed.
-Supervisors at your current/previous job(s).
-Coworkers (present or former) who know you well enough to evaluate you. It would help if the coworker has some cool official-sounding title (Director of XYZ, John Doe Ph.D., etc).

 

[theseeker4]

I graduated in 1998 (i know, sucks) so my question is: From whom should I get recommendation letters? What is the minimum number of recommendation letters I should get?

Since you will have to get the pre-reqs you are missing done before your apply, those professors are the best source for letters of recommendation. That said, for my non-science faculty letter I asked a history prof I had in 2004 for a LOR and he remembered me well enough to write a good letter (or at least good enough for me to be accepted.) Talk to any old professors you had a good relationship with, and build good relationships with professors you take the pre-reqs with.

 

[blackey]

I've got the same problem. I finished my post-baccs 9-years ago. I plan to tackle this issue after I finish the MCAT this Friday. I thought I might contact each school I plan to apply at and ask them what they prefer I do. My post-bacc institution has a pre-med advisory committee, however, they don't know a thing about me!

 

[saoj]

I've got the same problem. I finished my post-baccs 9-years ago. I plan to tackle this issue after I finish the MCAT this Friday. I thought I might contact each school I plan to apply at and ask them what they prefer I do. My post-bacc institution has a pre-med advisory committee, however, they don't know a thing about me!

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Calling each school sounds like a good idea. Please share here later what they told you.

 

[LifeTake2]

As a point of reference...if you don't have any current (ie <5 year) science classes you may want to pick up a couple to show you have (still have) the ability to do the work.

This then also serves to provide current references....

 

[pkwraith]

When I researched it last year, most schools waive their LoR normal requirements for non-traditionals (aka, 2 science + 1 non-science professor or whatever combination each school does) , defined as a certain amount of years out of school.

In your case, that many years would satisfy most of the requirement for a waiver. You would just have to find the number (around 3, minimum 2, maximum would probably be 5 and that's pushing it) of LoR that best illustrate your character, ability to excel in school, and drive, including someone that can comment on your abilities and performance in the past year.

 

[MT Headed]

👍 I applied to 20 schools, and only one 'required' a non-science LOR. After I explained to them that Ronald Reagan was president the last time I took a non-science class, they accepted a peer letter instead.

 

[startoverat40]

I graudated in '93, but fortunately I kept in touch with my undergrad PI. I went to his 70th and 80th bday parties, and sent him an email every so often. He was so kind to write me a 2-page LOR!

 

[GlimmerGlass]

I had this same problem and solved it by taking post-bacc classes and forming good relationships with those professors. For my non-science letter I needed I contacted professors in classes that were demanding and I did well in and eventually one agreed to write me a letter. I just had to provide her some info like current resume, volunteer work info, etc etc so she could form an opinion/recommendation based on that. Some may want to meet with you to refresh their memory. My advice is to also ask LORs from profs of smaller size classes as they are more likely to remember you. I also needed a Dean's letter for one school and I emailed the Dean of my undergrad school whom I've never met and after providing him some info about my accomplishes, he wrote me one too. So it can be done but may take some leg work.

 

[artsciencelove]

Take a science class at a community college ($300-$400), make friends with your prof, and engage in rampant overachieving. Then cold-call every doctor whose number you can find, and ask to shadow. Most schools want 2 letters from science professors and one from a doctor, minimum.

 

[flyhi]

Take a science class at a community college ($300-$400), make friends with your prof, and engage in rampant overachieving. Then cold-call every doctor whose number you can find, and ask to shadow. Most schools want 2 letters from science professors and one from a doctor, minimum.

👍 This, exactly. Calling your own physician(s) also works

 

[MT Headed]

You can look at school websites and find out what kinds of LOR requirements each school has. I applied to a score of MD schools and I don't think any of them wanted a letter from a physician.