How valuable is a letter from an MD?

[kinkocopies3]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone,

I worked as a research assistant a couple summers back and had an article published with a surgeon. I am planning on asking him to write a letter of rec, but I don't know how valuable it will be? Do you think it will have more weight than a letter from a research advisor, or does it not really matter. If any of you have had letters from MD's before, or have suggestions, that would be great!

Thanks

 

[Clemson Doc]

Allopathic schools don't seem to value a letter of recommendation from an M.D. nearly as much as osteopathic schools value a letter from a D.O. I don't think the M.D. letter carries much weight unless you worked closely with him/her. I had a physician write one of my letters, but he allowed me to shadow him on rounds and in his office and was basically a mentor to me. He was able to attest to my interests, attitude, intellect, etc. Otherwise I don't think his letter would've meant much to admissions committees.

How closely did you work with this surgeon? Does he know you well? If both he and your research advisor know you well and can write you outstanding letters, why not ask both for a letter of recommendation?

Here is a link with really good advice about obtaining outstanding recommendation letters. The info really helped me a lot with my letters.

 

[CalBeE]

I know a person who got asked in an interview (UCSD??) about why she DIDN'T have a LOR from a physician...she's like wtf.

I don't think a letter from a physician is a bad idea, but I feel that professors' letters carry more weight.

 

[klooless]

It is silly to say that a letter from a particular brand of professional scientist INHERENTLY carries more weight than any other in terms of LOR. Context AND Content mean EVERYTHING...

 

[CalBeE]

Professors letters carry more weight because professors can give evaluation of your academic performance, motivation, curiosity in learning, etc. These are possible from other kinds of LORs but are harder because these letter-writers did not actually teach you in an institutional setting, etc.

All med schools require letters from science, and many time, non-science professors for a reason. None or few schools require a physician letter. This policy is there for a reason.

 

[Spitting Camel]

What matters? Position of writer (i.e. not your mom), strength of your relationship with the writer (i.e. knows you as a professional and a person), and quality of the content of the letter (i.e. can set you apart from others.)

 

[Gleevec]

Doesnt matter, just pick your best X recommendations. Usually there are stipulations about some portion of them being professors, but Id imagine the MD you worked with was a med prof.

Its not an advantage either way. One of my recs was a grad student (not even a PhD yet) in a liberal art and my premed advisor cleared it and no med school seemed to think anything else of it.

So I guess that goes to show that it is the content that matters, outside of any requirements certain schools might have (or even your schools premed committee)

 

[UCLAstudent]

If you worked closely with an MD, a letter would be a good idea. He/she would be able to vouch for your work ethic, competence, etc., just like a professor. Go for it if you think the MD can write a strong letter.

 

[meanderson]

I would disagree with many of the posts here and say it is heavily dependent on the school. I have numbers that clearly exceed my first choice state school(MCG), good EC's and work experience, feel the interview went well, and am still waiting........I think this might have something to do with the fact that I used a LOR from a work supervisor(I'm a high school teacher now) rather than an MD. I think each allopathic school is different; some it may not mean anything. At others it may raise a serious red flag.

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by meanderson
I would disagree with many of the posts here and say it is heavily dependent on the school. I have numbers that clearly exceed my first choice state school(MCG), good EC's and work experience, feel the interview went well, and am still waiting........I think this might have something to do with the fact that I used a LOR from a work supervisor(I'm a high school teacher now) rather than an MD. I think each allopathic school is different; some it may not mean anything. At others it may raise a serious red flag.

I doubt that it was the sole reason you're still waiting...they may be looking at something else that you're not aware of.

Anyways, basically everyone else already threw in the major points: A LOR from a physician will only be good if it's strong and personal.

 

[meanderson]

Originally posted by CalBeE
I doubt that it was the sole reason you're still waiting...they may be looking at something else that you're not aware of.

Anyways, basically everyone else already threw in the major points: A LOR from a physician will only be good if it's strong and personal.

I couldn't imagine what it could be. There are only so many facets to an application, and I felt like I covered all my bases.

Gpa: three tenths of a point above the average accepted student. (3.86)

MCAT: more than three points above the accepted average student for MCG(28.9). (32- 11/11/10)

clinical experiences: hands on experience with hospice and general volunteer experience in the ER. Nothing spectactular but I thought it was sufficient.

work experience- 2 years teaching science in a public high school. Also after school tutoring programs for undeserved children.

interview- thought I had a good rapport with my adcomm representative. I certainly liked her and felt she was professional. Maybe she got a bad vibe from me, but I've been replaying the interview in my head and can't think of anything.

personal essay- Was told by my professors and others that it was very well done and should be recieved well.

LOR's- The professor recommendations were certainly personal and very good since I went to a smallish college and got to know these professors fairly well. I feel the personal LOR was also good(from my boss at school). I can't see how my LOR's are a deterring factor.

So the only thing I can come up with is that I lack of physican LOR and MCG must place a tremendous emphasis on this. I'm hoping I will still get in as it is my first choice, but I will be very dissapointed in myself if I don't get into MCG because it would have been very easy to make sure I had this taken care of if I knew it would be of such great importance.

 

[CalBeE]

Originally posted by meanderson

So the only thing I can come up with is that I lack of physican LOR and MCG must place a tremendous emphasis on this. I'm hoping I will still get in as it is my first choice, but I will be very dissapointed in myself if I don't get into MCG because it would have been very easy to make sure I had this taken care of if I knew it would be of such great importance.

If they really place such a strong emphasis on LOR from a physician, I would imagine they make it a requirement or "strongly recommend" submitting one. They're out to recruit good applicants, not out to screw them up.

People get rejected from schools that they feel they had good chance at and get accepted by better schools. Every applicant can testify to this.

 

[klooless]

Originally posted by CalBeE
I doubt that it was the sole reason you're still waiting...they may be looking at something else that you're not aware of.

Anyways, basically everyone else already threw in the major points: A LOR from a physician will only be good if it's strong and personal.

Actually...

A letter from any professional will only be "good" if it's strong and personal. The reason medical institutions stipulate particular brands of writers is to steer students in a general direction.

I, for one, being well aware of fact rather than fiction, decided to use my own good sense in deciding from whom to solicit LOR. My letters did not fall into the 2 science/1 other catergory as was prescribed by many of the institutions to which I applied. Needless to say, I have received 14 out of 14 interviews and my share of acceptances from top institutions to date...

Must I reiterate, CONTENT and CONTEXT....

 

[meanderson]

Originally posted by CalBeE
If they really place such a strong emphasis on LOR from a physician, I would imagine they make it a requirement or "strongly recommend" submitting one. They're out to recruit good applicants, not out to screw them up.

People get rejected from schools that they feel they had good chance at and get accepted by better schools. Every applicant can testify to this.

Well on the secondary they say it is "recommended but not required" that one of the personal letters come from a physician. I didn't know this was the case until it was too late. It's totally my fault for not checking into how MCG does things way ahead of time.

And I agree that lots of people get rejected from schools they feel that had a good chance at, but I think it is always a little more tough to take when your large state school that you would love to go to may waitlist you. I probably should stop worrying; it's only been 5 weeks since I've interviewed and have heard nothing. Plenty of other people interviewed around the same time as me and have also heard nothing. Plus I know that one of their adcomm meetings was canceled due to it being the christmas season. I'm really crossing my fingers for something in the mail in mid-late January.

But if not, I'll just have to plug ahead and go to interviews at schools that I would be excited to go to as well. Just found out I'm interviewing at UAB on 1/15, and as an out of stater I really didn't think I'd get an interview. I'd love to go there, but feel it is a long shot as the average out of state matriculant has a 36. Emory on 1/9 I would also love to go to, but the $$ is a definite mitigating factor. I have to keep telling myself everything will probably work out ok in the end.......

 

[Adapt]

I had a recommendation from a DO and had much success when applying to MD schools. I think a letter from a physician is especially helpful when applying.

 

[Lara]

Originally posted by klooless

I, for one, being well aware of fact rather than fiction, decided to use my own good sense in deciding from whom to solicit LOR. My letters did not fall into the 2 science/1 other catergory as was prescribed by many of the institutions to which I applied. Needless to say, I have received 14 out of 14 interviews and my share of acceptances from top institutions to date...

Congrats! But just be aware that some schools *are* pretty anal about wanting LORs from instructors (sometimes even specific ones like chem, bio etc). When I applied two years ago I had to get a new letter at the last minute because one from a physician wasn't accepted. Incidentally I still got in despite the professor not knowing me as well. 🙂

My advice is 1) don't obsess too much over LORs and 2) just get the best ones possible while conforming to each school's stated requirements.