Help me choose letters please

[miakip]

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I have a bunch of letters from wonderful people who I have worked with though out the years. All of these people were more than happy to write me a letter with positive statements.

Bio Prof, Premed Adviser, okay relationship, 2 semesters.
Bio Prof, Academic Adviser, TA'd for, TriBeta Adviser, took every single offered course- 4 semesters.
Bio Prof, TA'd for, took every single offered course- 3 semesters, fav prof.
Foreign Language Prof, Non science LOR. Very good relationship with, 4 semesters.

MD- ER, kind, good friends
MD- Family practice, Alumni of dream school, kind
DO- ER, Good friends, will personalize letters for DO and MD schools.
DO- ER, Good relationship, favorite doctor
MD- ER, Head of ER group, offered to write letter, declined because most recent offer.

Update: declining last MD letter.

Thanks for help!

 

[miakip]

Schools have different requirements. The highest maximum amount that I've personally come across was 10. That being said, most schools are between 3-6 to maximum letters, so if you sent more they would only read the first few until the max is reached.

You essentially need the non-science letter, two science letters, and then maybe one of the MD's if the school explicitly asks for it, otherwise leave it out.

I would focus on the strongest ones. Quality over quantity

Choosing the strongest ones is the hard part. All these docs I have worked with over 100 hours and gotten to know their practice styles. They have mentored me closely throughout the years, one actually advised me not to apply last year and told me I am ready this year.

I dunno, I love them all lol.

If I limit the Professor letters, is it okay if I submit all the docs?

 

[miakip]

I will probably have to call some schools, but so far the ones I am looking at state- 1 Academic and 1 physician is the minimum.

 

[Monkey.King]

If you already had a bunch of letters, why did you allow people to write more? You allowed these people to waste their time writing a LOR that probably won't be used/read/taken seriously

 

[miakip]

That would be directly opposite what the schools want and would be detrimental to your chances. Schools want to see academic evaluations, particularly from a classroom setting. Most applicants with physician letters have them from short term shadowing and these letters are almost uniformly glowing with no substance or evidence of a long term connection with the applicants that would allow the doctor to evaluate him/her. Additionally, there was a recent thread wher You e several adcoms would be suspect of letters personalized to the specific school. They should be avoided.

You should get ONE and only ONE letter from a physician unless you have involvement beyond shadowing. An MD who was a PI, etc would be an example of that. If all the ER docs are part of one practice, perhaps get one to write it, such as the head of the group, and get the others to cosign it.


agree with the above. The more letters you send, the less overall impact your letters will have. Why? a few reasons:
1) These are supposed to be letters of evaluation not simply letters of recommendation. Unless they show evidence of a critical analysis, they lose some value as everyone gets purely positive letters lacking sufficient depth or evidence of why so positive without any other information
2) it will likely go beyond the recommended or even required maximum number of letters, showing at least you cant follow or even bother reading the schools admission's policy/rule.
3) Such a large number of letters makes me wonder what deficiency is this applicant trying to cover. (yes, i am cynical)
4) Generally, letters from MD that you know primarily from shadowing have little or no impact with an adcom. Applicants send thousands of these where they have followed a physician for a few hours and they write a glowing letter about someone they can hardly possibly know.
5) Sending all letters has a risk simply from processing:
--a) for a school that uses applicant assignment as guide: if you put down 9 letters and only 8 show up, your application may sit waiting for completion and wont be sent for review
--b) for a school that uses their number requirement as guide. If a school has 3 letters required , you could get 3 doctor letters and it is sent to review without professor letters.
--c) for a school that checks letter type on intake: When the 2 science prof/1 non science prof, letters are received, it may send the file into review without additional letters
6) Many schools still operate with review in a static file (ie pdf). So once it is sent in review, it may not get updated with additional material.


Follow the guidelines for the school, get all the letters if you want and put them into AMCAS, but you will be hurting yourself if you send them all. Most of what you think will be an asset, will actually hurt your chances

Thanks for the response, I really appreciate it.

I have a very low MCAT, but high GPA. So you are right, I am trying to cover a deficiency. After getting pass the initial screen I am relying on the narrative portions of my application.

I have only shadowed the family practice doc, mainly because I wanted to see more of the primary care part of healthcare. The rest of the docs I have built relationships through scribing for them for over 2 years, nothing they will say will be superficial. My letters will not be just filling a requirement but provide proof that I have researched every aspect of the physician world- or so I believe.

However, I understand what you are saying. Adcoms do not have the time to read all the letters. So I will pick accordingly. I will probably not submit the DO letters in my AMCAS, and save them for DO schools.

 

[miakip]

If you already had a bunch of letters, why did you allow people to write more? You allowed these people to waste their time writing a LOR that probably won't be used/read/taken seriously

These letters are from people who kindly offered. After you spend enough time with people and tell them your goals, they want to help you and offer to write a letter. I get really excited and happy that I say of course.

I will kindly decline the newest letter writer, because you are right.

 

[miakip]

I would suggest you consider 3 things:
1) skipping a cycle and retaking the MCAT. With a high GPA, why limit yourself on something you can improve
2) If you have scribed for the ER group, get a single letter from the head saying he has discussed your with his partners or get them to co-sign
3) the FP shadow unless required, is somewhat fluff.

You can fix your MCAT with some time

I wish I thought about 2 sooner! However, they already submitted their letters >.o.

I already took the MCAT twice, improved marginally the second time. My plan is to apply to my state MD school and DOs. I want to retake the MCAT, but I want to invest my money and focus currently on applications. I have to fly and stay overnight to take the exam. If I don't get in, I will retake next summer when I am ready and apply again.

I am already on my second gap year, going on third. I feel that I am ready and I already submitted by AACOMAS application. My state school is not rolling, so I am taking more time on my AMCAS.

Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[gyngyn]

Schools have different requirements. The highest maximum amount that I've personally come across was 10. That being said, most schools are between 3-6 to maximum letters, so if you sent more they would only read the first few until the max is reached.

You essentially need the non-science letter, two science letters, and then maybe one of the MD's if the school explicitly asks for it, otherwise leave it out.

I would focus on the strongest ones. Quality over quantity

It is more likely that the first person to read the application would notice that the applicant doesn't follow instructions or believes that the rules don't apply to them or was applying in a one-size-fits-all manner or was hoping to make up for deficits in other areas.
If the application gets further in the process anyone assigned this folder would have to read all the letters as part of their due diligence (all the while liking it less...).

 

[Monkey.King]

These letters are from people who kindly offered. After you spend enough time with people and tell them your goals, they want to help you and offer to write a letter. I get really excited and happy that I say of course.

I will kindly decline the newest letter writer, because you are right.

That's fine and all, but I'm sure they would also appreciate it if you told them in advance that you already had plenty of LORS. I can imagine some feeling a some type of way that you didn't ask them for a letter, but if they will get over it. Especially if you phrase it into something like "Thank you for offering to write me a letter. It means so much and I really appreciate. However I already have a substantial amount of letters. The time you spared for me and the experience I gained from working with you was worth more than a letter. Again, thanks for the offer"

 

[miakip]

It is more likely that the first person to read the application would notice that the applicant doesn't follow instructions or believes that the rules don't apply to them or was applying in a one-size-fits-all manner or was hoping to make up for deficits in other areas.
If the application gets further in the process anyone assigned this folder would have to read all the letters as part of their due diligence (all the while liking it less...).

I understand that there are rules and that there are a ton of applicants.

I had no idea that having more letters would be a burden. I originally thought seeing "1 MD and 1 academic" was just a minimum requirement. It can be ambiguous if a school does not specify a maximum, most schools I am interested in do not. I do not want to seem like I was trying to bypass rules or be considered special. I definitely was not intending to get into medical school soley on my letters- I have awards, honors, research, and volunteering. Once I passed the number game, I wanted to excel on the rest. Overachiever Premed was being an overachiever... I guess I just needed help organizing my letters. And it's a good thing I sought advice from ya'll.

Like I said, my DO letters will go to DO and MD letters will go to MD.
4 professors with 2 MD and 4 Professors with 2 DO. So 6 letters for each sound more do-able.

Declined last MD, she was really nice and did not mind.

I also don't want to seem like I did not do any research on my letter choices and said yes to just anyone. I have read the rules and made sure to have my premed adviser and academic adviser (different profs) included- some schools want your academic adviser... and have a nonscience. The other bio prof I TA'd for and already wrote me a letter prior. So I promise I did not waste anyone's time! I will keep all academic letters to vouch for my academic abilities, like previously suggested.

Again, I don't feel like I wasted any letter writer time because I have been asking for evaluations over the past 4 years and most of them have already written me a letter for other opportunities.

Thank you for everyone's advice. Sorry for any misunderstandings.

 

[gyngyn]

I understand that there are rules and that there are a ton of applicants.

I had no idea that having more letters would be a burden. I originally thought seeing "1 MD and 1 academic" was just a minimum requirement. It can be ambiguous if a school does not specify a maximum, most schools I am interested in do not. I do not want to seem like I was trying to bypass rules or be considered special. I definitely was not intending to get into medical school soley on my letters- I have awards, honors, research, and volunteering. Once I passed the number game, I wanted to excel on the rest. Overachiever Premed was being an overachiever... I guess I just needed help organizing my letters. And it's a good thing I sought advice from ya'll.

Like I said, my DO letters will go to DO and MD letters will go to MD.
4 professors with 2 MD and 4 Professors with 2 DO. So 6 letters for each sound more do-able.

Declined last MD, she was really nice and did not mind.

I also don't want to seem like I did not do any research on my letter choices and said yes to just anyone. I have read the rules and made sure to have my premed adviser and academic adviser (different profs) included- some schools want your academic adviser... and have a nonscience. The other bio prof I TA'd for and already wrote me a letter prior. So I promise I did not waste anyone's time! I will keep all academic letters to vouch for my academic abilities, like previously suggested.

Again, I don't feel like I wasted any letter writer time because I have been asking for evaluations over the past 4 years and most of them have already written me a letter for other opportunities.

Thank you for everyone's advice. Sorry for any misunderstandings.

Please only one physician letter (if you must)!

 

[chibaddie]

In all honesty, having a bunch of letter writers is great but if they are going to be repeating the same thing over and over again, then it doesn't really matter. That being said, you can send more than 1 but only if it's going to add something different. Pick someone who is a strong letter writer, recently finished training, and/or an alumni of the school you are trying to get accepted to. And it's not like you have to pick the same letter writers for each school you apply to.

 

[candbgirl]

I'm getting the feeling you think the Doctor letters are better than your professor letters. Is that the case? I thought it was interesting that you wanted to limit the Professor letters and send all the Doctor letters. And what is the entourage that you don't want to leave anyone out of. Bottom line: follow the directions and especially follow the advice of the ADCOMS on here that have told you to limit MD and DO letters.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

 

[miakip]

Also, these letters have been built on over the past 6 years.

In all honesty, having a bunch of letter writers is great but if they are going to be repeating the same thing over and over again, then it doesn't really matter. That being said, you can send more than 1 but only if it's going to add something different. Pick someone who is a strong letter writer, recently finished training, and/or an alumni of the school you are trying to get accepted to. And it's not like you have to pick the same letter writers for each school you apply to.

This is very good advice. Thank you 🙂

 

[miakip]

I'm getting the feeling you think the Doctor letters are better than your professor letters. Is that the case? I thought it was interesting that you wanted to limit the Professor letters and send all the Doctor letters. And what is the entourage that you don't want to leave anyone out of. Bottom line: follow the directions and especially follow the advice of the ADCOMS on here that have told you to limit MD and DO letters.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app

No, this is not my thinking. Someone suggested that I have too many bio profs so I suggested choosing one. I have changed my mind on choosing just one if you read above. Each bio prof played a different role- academic adviser, premed adviser, and prof TA'd for- so like I mentioned prior- I will keep all of them.

I mention entourage as a figure of speech- a group of people I respect, sorry for the confusion.

And most definitely, SDN is a great place for advice that I take into special consideration.

 

[Crayola227]

I have a bunch of letters from wonderful people who I have worked with though out the years. All of these people were more than happy to write me a letter with positive statements.

Bio Prof, Premed Adviser, okay relationship, 2 semesters.
Bio Prof, Academic Adviser, TA'd for, TriBeta Adviser, took every single offered course- 4 semesters.
Bio Prof, TA'd for, took every single offered course- 3 semesters, fav prof.
Foreign Language Prof, Non science LOR. Very good relationship with, 4 semesters.

MD- ER, kind, good friends
MD- Family practice, Alumni of dream school, kind
DO- ER, Good friends, will personalize letters for DO and MD schools.
DO- ER, Good relationship, favorite doctor
MD- ER, Head of ER group, offered to write letter, declined because most recent offer.

Update: declining last MD letter.

Thanks for help!

2/10 humblebrag