How Heavy are LOR weighed?

[yanks26dmb]

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I've got a LOR from the Dean of a mid-tier US Med School...how much weight does a LOR from someone in his position hold?

For anyone wondering..I'm not going to the med school he presides at due to location/desire to be closer to family/committments/etc.

 

[theseeker4]

I've got a LOR from the Dean of a mid-tier US Med School...how much weight does a LOR from someone in his position hold?

For anyone wondering..I'm not going to the med school he presides at due to location/desire to be closer to family/committments/etc.

I am sure they have more weight than a standard LOR from a random professor. However, I wouldn't bank on a recommendation to get you in, especially if you are a marginal applicant for that school. I also wouldn't expect to get into a single school, so apply more broadly unless you are ok with applying more broadly a second cycle if you are not successful the first time.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I am sure it will be good. LORs generally won't make an app, but they can definitely break it. But a dean from a med school will probably hold a little more weight. Again, I doubt it will make the app, but it is probably still awesome.

 

[Catalystik]

The value of such a letter will depend upon:
1) the context in which you know him (eg "dated my daughter," "was my next door neighbor", or "I've known him since he was a baby and dandled him on my knee" = zero usefulness vs he can attest to your academic prowess in a class he taught, you TAed one of his labs and performed brilliantly, plus you engaged in a research activity under his supervision, showing excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and creative input = application gold) ,
2) the personal characteristics he can attest that you have which are valuable in a physician, and
3) whether his letter gives a good explanation for any weaknesses in your application that you can't overcome.

A great letter is worth even more if the dean at the other school knows him personally.

 

[Goro]

If he really knows you, it will help. LORs in general, if really stellar, do stand out at our AdCom meetings.

Conversely, even a single bad LOR from any writer will kill your chances.

I've got a LOR from the Dean of a mid-tier US Med School...how much weight does a LOR from someone in his position hold?

For anyone wondering..I'm not going to the med school he presides at due to location/desire to be closer to family/committments/etc.

 

[pfaction]

Has anyone gotten bad letters of recommendation sent?