high school teacher as LOR?

[sweetstuff25]

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Does anyone think that using my highschool teacher as a SCIENCE LOR count for anything? I've known her for a while and she would write a good reference but a university prof in a class of 200+ would seem quite shady (esp here in Canada cuz science lor is not necessary).

 

[NehsNairb]

I think getting a LOR from a high school teacher is even more shady. Don't worry about not knowing your professor that well. One of my recommenders didn't know me at all until I asked for a letter. Just email them or go to their office, explain your situation, and they'll probably be more than happy to help you out. If they honestly don't think they can write you a good letter, they'll tell you to try and find someone else. But if you have a thorough conversation with your recommender, provide a resume and personal statement, that should be enough material for them to write you a strong letter.

 

[GujuMD]

Some professors who don't you well will ask you for a lot of information about you. One of the professors who wrote LOR for me asked for my personal statement, the activities portion of the AMCAS, and life history.

 

[Monette]

Does anyone think that using my highschool teacher as a SCIENCE LOR count for anything? I've known her for a while and she would write a good reference but a university prof in a class of 200+ would seem quite shady (esp here in Canada cuz science lor is not necessary).

Hi sweetstuff25,

I think it would be safe for you to use your high school teacher as a referee for Canadian schools but I would definitely avoid that for American schools. I know Canadian schools want the letters to be character references and would infinitely prefer an extremely personal letter from your high school teacher who presumably has known you for more than four years than an impersonal one from a prof saying that you made an A in their class last semester. Canadian schools have not implemented any stipulations on the occupation or position or rank of the LOR writers whereas in the States, schools have specific (occupational) requirements for said writers - i.e. that they be a science faculty member, a non-science faculty member, or your research PI. Heck some even require you to have a referee that could provide you with a so-called clinical LOR. Different schools have variations of these requirements but most usually require some combination of the aforementioned. Canadian schools (at least the ones I'm familiar with) have no such requirements and only ask that you pick referees who will be able to write you the strongest LOR strictly based on the fact that they have the greatest level of personal knowledge of you.

Cheers,
Monette

 

[slb830]

My premed advisor said that it was not a good idea to use anything from high school (unless you found the cure for cancer when you were 15, thats ok to use).

If the only person you can find to write you a letter is from high school...what were you doing all through college, the time that really counts?
Not that I am saying you didnt do anything - that is just the thought that will go through the collective mind's of the adcoms.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Some professors who don't you well will ask you for a lot of information about you.

Or they will just have you write it and sign it for you.

 

[kenmc3]

Ok here is my take:

The traditional application consists of 5 letters of recommendation.

3 Letters from professors you have taken classes with (2 science – 1 non-science)

2 Letters from other people who can attest to your character (relatives, friends, former teachers, research mentors, physicians you have shadowed etc) They key is that these people know you well and can speak on why you have the qualities to be a good doctor.

I defiantly think that a high school teacher could write a letter in the latter category if they know you well and you have kept in touch over the last few years. MAKE SURE that they don’t reference things you did in high school since admission committees don’t really care. So they shouldn’t say “John was the president of his senior class.” Instead it should say “John is a compassionate individual – blah blah blah.” But you defiantly couldn’t use the high school teacher as an academic letter.

 

[ND2005]

Good lord, no.

 

[Monette]

2 Letters from other people who can attest to your character (relatives, friends, former teachers, research mentors, physicians you have shadowed etc) They key is that these people know you well and can speak on why you have the qualities to be a good doctor.

Uhm, are you kidding? You should NOT ask your relatives and/or friends to write you an LOR! That is a huge no-no!

Monette

Edit: That's actually one of the few stipulations Canadian schools do make regarding LORs - family and friends cannot write them!

 

[kenmc3]

Uhm, are you kidding? You should NOT ask your relatives and/or friends to write you an LOR! That is a huge no-no!

Monette

Edit: That's actually one of the few stipulations Canadian schools do make regarding LORs - family and friends cannot write them!

Some med school specifically ask for a LOR from friends or family. I know I had to get one when I applied 2 years ago. And forgive me for not knowing Canadain rules.

 

[ND2005]

Some med school specifically ask for a LOR from friends or family. I know I had to get one when I applied 2 years ago. And forgive me for not knowing Canadain rules.

Yes, but those are usually "character" or "peer" references; they are separate from your academic LORs.

 

[kenmc3]

Yes, but those are usually "character" or "peer" references; they are separate from your academic LORs.

Thats exactly what I said in my first post.

 

[ND2005]

Thats exactly what I said in my first post.

No, you indicated that the "character" type LORs should be a part of the general application packet.

My point was that they are separate from your academic LORs. They shouldn't be a part of your standard 5 LORs, and should only be sent to the schools that specifically request them

 

[Bluntman]

I'm in a real tough predicament guys...I've decided to apply again and I was wondering if I could use my mother as one of my LORs? She knows me very well and is always telling me what a great doctor I'll become. Any thoughts? 🙄

 

[kenmc3]

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