Letters of Rec.--MD vs PhD?

[Tweetie_bird]

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Hi guys,
I have 3 LOC's so far, only one from a prof that actually TAUGHT ME (Biochem.) and the other two with an MD and a PhD that I have been working with doing clinical research. All of the 3 above are faculty in the med school here. I have read a very rough copy of the MD and PhD's LOCs, and both look pretty good. However, do schools look at clinical docs' LOCs more favorably than PhDs?? Furthermore, I have heard that it's imperative to get LOCs from profs that have taught you...how true is that? I have already graduated, and I feel as though none of my profs know me as well as these people i have worked with for so long. Should i be fretting?
Thanks
Tweetie

 

[none]

Most schools will REQUIRE a total of three letters from professors who have actually taught you in a course for college credit. One should be from a non-science and two from science courses. Everything else is nice, but not required.

 

[Tweetie_bird]

Holy crap! This means I am in deep ****. I didn't know it was a requirement for those of us that already graduated 2 years ago.

Anybody else in my shoes???

 

[eagle26]

It's NOT a requirement. I graduated from my undergrad in 97, and I felt that any letters of rec that I would get from those teachers way back when would be a pointless form letter. I talked to the alumni med advisor at the school I graduated from, and she said it was more important to have letters from those who know your personality, your work ethic, and your experiences on a personal basis. I had one letter from my volunteer coordinator, one from my boss (who is a Ph.D.), and one from the dean of the college of public health here (he's an M.D.). All three of these I worked with closely, and not one of them had taught me. So far, so good.

Joe

 

[SMW]

I think it will vary from school to school. I seem to remember one school that wanted the letters from the boss, mentor, etc. in addition to the letters from profs if you'd been out of school a while (Wake Forest, maybe, as it's the last secondary I did). None is right as far as what their published requirements generally are, but I would check with your particular schools to see if they will make exceptions. It's kind of late to be figuring this out, if you're applying this year.

 

[none]

Yes, it will vary slightly and yes, some schools may make exceptions...but in general, it's two science and one non-science letters. Nearly all are going to want letters from professors who have had you in a course at the very least!

 

[Tweetie_bird]

Thanks for the feedback so far.

SMW: I am applying next year, to get into Class of 2003. I am just thinking way ahead.

Joe: did you get in? I hope you did..I don't want "lack of letters from PROFS" to be a factor to me not getting in. I am in the same shoes as you Joe, the MD and the PhD that are writing a rec for me have WONDERFUL things to say....sorry if I sound like I'm gloating.

I think I may have to contact each school I apply to and ask them. If it turns out that they DO want 2 sci and 1 non sci prof, I will have a total of FIVE LOC's....which I think is ok. The more the merrier!