Lack of LOR

[clydez]

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I am just starting my final 2 semesters at my university and I don't have any letters of recommendation. I have been unsure of what I wanted to do for a long while and was thinking of going to physician assistant school which allows for all the LOR to come from shadowed PA's/ supervisors from CNA work. I have a cumulative science GPA of 3.7 and have never had to even speak personally to a professor since I have had all the information I needed.. I guess I have to just go and bug the professors about things I already understand this last year to get at least 2 LOR from science courses. I am not taking any more non-science courses though so how would I go about getting that LOR (which it seems most MD schools require)? Do any medical schools allow for LOR from shadowed physicians/ or supervisors? I also missed the opportunity to go through the interview committee at my school as I missed the deadline to start the process (dumb, I know). These letters are so frustrating and really feel pointless. Why can't I have TA's (who see me work in labs on a daily basis) speak for me? Bahhh how are these the (seemingly) hardest part of applying.. Thanks for any help.

 

[justAstudent]

You can ask your TA's write a letter of recommendation for you and have your PI co-sign it.

 

[Laurenxxxx]

It's worth a shot to ask a few professors of science classes you did very well in. Go to their office (do not simply email them) and explain your situation. I'm sure professors get this request all the time. It's not ideal, but many of them should understand. You can suggest they talk to your TA to gather information.

Make sure you bring a copy of your resume/transcript to give them if they accept.

Just try. What do you have to lose? If they say no, try another.

 

[Microglia]

I am just starting my final 2 semesters at my university and I don't have any letters of recommendation. I have been unsure of what I wanted to do for a long while and was thinking of going to physician assistant school which allows for all the LOR to come from shadowed PA's/ supervisors from CNA work. I have a cumulative science GPA of 3.7 and have never had to even speak personally to a professor since I have had all the information I needed.. I guess I have to just go and bug the professors about things I already understand this last year to get at least 2 LOR from science courses. I am not taking any more non-science courses though so how would I go about getting that LOR (which it seems most MD schools require)? Do any medical schools allow for LOR from shadowed physicians/ or supervisors? I also missed the opportunity to go through the interview committee at my school as I missed the deadline to start the process (dumb, I know). These letters are so frustrating and really feel pointless. Why can't I have TA's (who see me work in labs on a daily basis) speak for me? Bahhh how are these the (seemingly) hardest part of applying.. Thanks for any help.

Most people don't need to talk to the professors. Did it throughout my junior year just to build positive relationships with them in hopes of good LORs. Interestingly, when I did that I realized professors are usually really cool, and I'd like to be one someday haha.

If you haven't shadowed a doctor, then med schools will wonder how you know you want to be one. You should have at least 1-2 significant shadowing experiences of MD's before applying to med school.

As far as a non-science letter goes, can you ask a precious professor? Is there one that knew you from a smallerish class?

Not having a committee letter is sometimes a problem and sometimes not. Depends on the med school. I hear about applicants not getting the letter somewhat frequently but don't know how they fare in their cycles.

 

[Laurenxxxx]

Not having a committee letter is sometimes a problem and sometimes not. Depends on the med school. I hear about applicants not getting the letter somewhat frequently but don't know how they fare in their cycles.

Dumb question here. Is a committee letter INSTEAD of the 4-5 individual letters? Or does it count as one out of the bunch you need?

 

[Microglia]

Dumb question here. Is a committee letter INSTEAD of the 4-5 individual letters? Or does it count as one out of the bunch you need?

The only dumb questions are those that are left unasked 🙂 (except in med school lectures, talk to the prof after class people..seriously).

A committee letter is essentially a summary of your application, strengths, LoRs, and personality. Prehealth committees tend to rank all students applying into groups in this letter and explain the degree to which they think they should be accepted based on the applying population of that school. It is supplementary to your letters (you still need all of the recs that are required), and is usually required by med schools IF your college offers it.

 

[markjacobsen8]

How would a non-trad be expected to get a committee letter for med schools that prefer them?

 

[Microglia]

How would a non-trad be expected to get a committee letter for med schools that prefer them?

If your undergrad offers a committee letter get in touch with them about it. My college was very receptive of nontrads and had you fill out all sorts of paperwork about yourself and activities after graduation to get a letter, yours may as well. If your undergrad didn't offer it, it's not required and won't affect your app.

Committee letters are like cheat sheets for adcoms, they are useful to med schools but there are many schools who don't have them and it doesn't hurt you to attend one of those schools.

 

[clydez]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions guys and gals. I intend to take some time off after undergrad to shadow some MD's and build EC's by volunteering/ working. I will go about asking TA's to help me out with possibly having the professors cosign some letters and I will try to talk to a couple professors I didn't know personally but did well in the class. You're right, it's worth a shot at least.

 

[Life Sucks]

That's why I love my small school. It's kind of like a family, so you have to get to know yours. Just strike a conversation , or even explain how you looking more into something you learned on your own. Better yet, ask about how that professor's day is going and about off topic issues. I swear I got my professors to open up, and they're pretty cool down to earth people like everyone else. Too bad the pre-meds aren't like that.