Medical Importance of LOR from med school professor?

[GoSpursGo]

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I am about to take gap year and continuing research with a professor that I have been doing for 2 years. It has been a great experience, and I have received a few publications for the work I have done. However, I am facing a bit of dilemma as to what my next move should be. Currently I am looking at two post-baccs, postbacc a and postbacc b. Postbacc A is a DO school, and has a solid linkage program(guaranteed interview if you meet x gpa). On the other hand, postbacc b is the same school that I am doing research with the professor, but doesn't have any linkage, but I'd' be able to do my research with him for another year. My question is, how much of a difference could his LOR make, considering he is faculty at the medical school? My concern is that by choosing to do the non-linkage route, I will end up not getting in and wasting another year. FYI, I'd take the school he teaches at within in a heart beat, but I have below median stats for it, which is why I am hesitant. Any input that someone has would be greatly appreciated.

Completely dependent on how big of a deal this PI is and whether "below median" is just below median, or if you're well-below the school's usual admission requirements.

I would also argue that we need better info to know how "solid" this linkage is. If they routinely accept a good number of these interviewees then that's great, but if it's just a courtesy interview that does you little good.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

If he is on the admissions committee, he will recuse himself. It should have little impact in any case.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Hmmm...both of these post bacs are at medical schools? You sure they aren’t SMP?

Personally, I think it depends on how big a deal he/she is and how good of LOR they wrote. It could help.

However, linkage is always good if the requirements are attainable for you. What are the prices?

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Sorry I meant smp. I'm pretty confident that the LOR will be solid, but is there a way to gauge how big of a deal he is aside from number of pubs? The prices are pretty comparable(<2k difference) when factoring in COL expenses.

I mean, if he is on the board of xyz or is a world renowned publisher or something...

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The person's rank could tell you how big of a deal he/she is within the research community he/she is involved in. For med school admissions, it means nothing.