Letter of Recommendation from Piano Professor?

[radishearrings]

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Hi Everyone,

I know that generally medical schools require 3 letters of rec, usually 2 science and 1 non-science. I already have 2 great science professors that know my academic/research skills and have gotten to know me as a person. For the non-science letter of rec, I am tempted to ask my piano professor who I have taken classes with for nearly 2 years. I've been playing the piano for 9 years and she knows that I am very enthusiastic when it comes to music and knows me well. My question is if medical schools would be ok with this? I take piano as a college course so she counts as a non-science faculty member. I'm just concerned with how my skills and love for piano would even translate to me being a good doctor in the future, but I am confident that my professor would put in a good word for me.

Advice appreciated!!!!

 

[BigBlueBear]

Pianos are too scientific, sorry

 

[wonderdog]

Hi Everyone,

I know that generally medical schools require 3 letters of rec, usually 2 science and 1 non-science. I already have 2 great science professors that know my academic/research skills and have gotten to know me as a person. For the non-science letter of rec, I am tempted to ask my piano professor who I have taken classes with for nearly 2 years. I've been playing the piano for 9 years and she knows that I am very enthusiastic when it comes to music and knows me well. My question is if medical schools would be ok with this? I take piano as a college course so she counts as a non-science faculty member. I'm just concerned with how my skills and love for piano would even translate to me being a good doctor in the future, but I am confident that my professor would put in a good word for me.

Advice appreciated!!!!

While extracurriculars are important to your application, I'm not sure your piano teacher is a good idea. Usually your non-science letter would be a clergyman, leader of a volunteer organization, etc, etc, etc...

I would put your piano experience under your 'work/activities' section of your AMCAS application, with the name and contact information of your piano teacher.

 

[BigBlueBear]

While extracurriculars are important to your application, I'm not sure your piano teacher is a good idea. Usually your non-science letter would be a clergyman, leader of a volunteer organization, etc, etc, etc...

I would put your piano experience under your 'work/activities' section of your AMCAS application, with the name and contact information of your piano teacher.

In my experience the non-science letter needed to be from faculty...

I was just being silly in my earlier post, I think having the piano professor write you one would be an excellent idea if you have a good relationship and he/she knows you well. I can't see why it would be bad, but what do I know.

 

[wonderdog]

In my experience the non-science letter needed to be from faculty...

I was just being silly in my earlier post, I think having the piano professor write you one would be an excellent idea if you have a good relationship and he/she knows you well. I can't see why it would be bad, but what do I know.

That depends on your school.

 

[BigBlueBear]

But for the schools that ask for non-science faculty (there are a lot of them), how is this not a good thing?

The OP can also get an additional letter from somebody outside the school if he/she wishes in case the school requires something different.

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

That depends on your school.

And how exactly would that depend on what school he goes to?

Typically a non-science faculty letter will cover all your bases at most (if not all) of the schools. Piano teacher should be good if you've been taking classes at your university from her.

 

[mcloaf]

That depends on your school.

No. The requirement is 2 science faculty 1 non-science faculty.

You could avoid this with a committee letter.

 

[LizzyM]

Faculty member at the college/university level who teaches piano would fit the "letter of the law" but won't address some of the things that are covered in some of the best non-science letters such as your oral and written communications, your interactions with fellow students in the classroom, your contribution to class discussions, your research papers, etc.

 

[HSUReddie]

Letter from a piano professor sounds way better than a letter from a clergyman.

But that's just my two cents.

 

[DAPI]

It's always nice when your clergyman is also your religions professor 😉

Anyways, I think a piano professor may be strange for reason LizzyM mentioned. They don't see you in a group setting communicating or interacting with peers, but really just your dedication to playing the piano and whatever you talk to them about during your lessons (given this is the standard one-on-one piano lesson). I don't really think there is all that much they can say about you other than "radishearrings is a very dedicated student and shows great passion for music..."