Help-what needs to be in letter of rec from someone who doesnt know you (PCOM)

[Jack Swift]

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Needlessness to say the PCOM letter requirement is a huge pain in the ass. I contacted the Dean of my college and his assistant sent an email back asking what needs to be in the letter.

Obviously they dont know me at all, so telling them I need you to talk about how great a doctor I will become is somewhat dishonest. They don't know how well I perform in class, how good I am in groups or whatever. They don't know me at all. I'm just trying to fullfill the PCOM requirement. What should I tell her?

 

[group_theory]

The advice you got was the ideal letter from the dean. What most people get is a letter stating that you are a student in good standing (or have graduated), have never been on academic probation or any type of punishment (or if you have, describe what type and how it was resolved), and if possible, talk about how great your undergrad is.

If the dean can personalize it and can say you;re going to be a great doctor ... all the more better ... but that's why you have the other LORs 😉

If you have a premed committee, a letter from them (usually a summary of your LORs, and how great your undergrad is) can be used in lieu of the dean's letter.

 

[Jack Swift]

but if the letter is going to be just about acedemic standing, probation etc I think I'm just going to be at huge disadvantage to those who have committee letters which state how great of a doctor they will become.

Does anyone know if PCOM accepts additional letters, besides the committee (dean or acedemic advisor) and DO letter?

 

[mzztiffany]

Yes if you know an alumni from PCOM, they really like seeing that!

 

[Nickelpennykid]

Does PCOM only get the comittee letter or do they read all of the recs that are included in your file for undergrad. I think I had my shadowing doc send the letter to my undergrad school so they could all be made availible at once. Any insight on how exactly this works????

 

[seismicCHICK]

in my school, my academic advisor takes all the letters that was sent to my file and writes one himself. the DO letter that i had sent to my folder, he just forwards that with his letter to all the DO schools i've applied to. and for MD schools, he just sends his own. hope that helps. but you should make sure that your academic advisor will send the DO letter too.