I'm a sophomore in my undergrad (going to be a junior in 4 days) and I've been thinking about my letters of rec recently. I know that I can get them from my physiology professor, my pre-med advisor, my major advisor, my gross professor, and a neurosurgeon. I've been talking to my english teacher lately a lot (she's making me write a 20 page paper about Kurt Vonnegut, so I ask her opinion frequently). Even though she's not a doctor or a science proffesor, could she write a useful letter of rec for me? She'd be a good judge of my work ethic and creativity. Also, she has a Ph.D. but she's not a proffesor. Does that matter? Any input would be helpful. Thank you. Eric
I am sure she'll write you an excellent letter, but how much weight is it going to carry? I believe DO medical school admissions tend to prefer letters from DO, research professors that you worked with and science class professors. While letters from non-science professors, TA, pastors, and boss certainly add to your overall application in terms of your character profile but I would focus more on the former group if you can.
I had letters from the chairman of our school's pre-med advisory board, a biochem professor who's lab I work in and one from our family doctor who is a DO. I haven't a clue as to what the DO said in his letter, but his letter was highly complimented by both sets of interviewers that I interviewed with. IMHO a letter from of DO is of tantamount importance! Good Luck!!! Eric J UHS04
If you think the English prof. will write a good letter for you, have her write it. I got to know one of my English professors pretty well and she wrote a letter for me that spoke a lot about my personality. It actually turned out to be pretty valuable as it led to some very interesting conversation in my interviews. I don't think it would hurt at all.
I have to agree with MONKEY on this one. I didn't have the traditional science prof's. letters, but I did get a D.O. letter. Check to see which schools have strict rules about there letters, i.e., some schools want 1 from a sci prof, 1 from a non-sci prof, and 1 from a health related/volunteer or employer...etc. That way you know before you apply which letters go where and you are not scrambling to reach some deadlines....like me oh yea....GOOD LUCK too
