Letters of Rec questions - who, what to give them, when, and more

[vairules]

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I'm going to be asking for letters of Rec soon, and I have some questions about the process. As far as who, I've got 5 so far:

1 - Adviser/Science Prof - Did very well in the class, have a great, good relationship
2 - Science - Knows my family, did very well in the class, strong relationship with him.
3/4 - Nonscience letters. I'm sure they think very highly of me, not worried about these
5 - Doctor I've shadowed for years - this one will be great

First question - is this enough as far as letters go? Do you think I should get another science? Also one from a summer research program I did? The other science would be not of the quality perhaps of the ones I'm going to get... I just haven't known the professor as long.

Next question - what should I give them? I'm planning on, right now, giving them

-A sheet of paper with some of my shadowing/research/clinical experience, major, gpa, hobbies/interests.
-I'm tentative on this one. A sheet that perhaps covers some qualities I'd like them to talk about in the letter, if they believe I fit them... For example, "Would you trust me with your life if the situation ever arose in the future?"
-AAMC ID/application info to send it in, when it becomes available

My school doesn't do a committee letter. Would the sheet that gives them qualities to talk about be a good idea in your opinion? Anything else I should give them?

When should I tell them to have it in by? The AAMC stuff won't be available till early may, which is our finals week. I'm taking the MCAT on May 20th, and will be applying this summer, and want to be early with applying. I'm thinking the week of/after my MCAT, to give them time. On the other hand, having it sooner would be nice...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mauberley]

You seem pretty well-covered for letters. I don't think you need to solicit any more.

My letter writers generally asked for my CV, personal statement, and the list of schools to which I was applying. I wouldn't try to prompt them about what to write unless they ask. If they've written med school recommendation letters before, they'll know what to write.

If you want to give them a place to send their letters without waiting for the official AMCAS application opening, consider getting an Interfolio account.

 

[vairules]

Ok, thanks. My CV should be ready very soon. A question - I assume I shouldn't include high school shadowing on it? Also, I don't have my personal statement ready. I assume they would probably ask my motivations in person.

 

[mauberley]

Ok, thanks. My CV should be ready very soon. A question - I assume I shouldn't include high school shadowing on it? Also, I don't have my personal statement ready. I assume they would probably ask my motivations in person.

I would think you can include high school shadowing if you want, if it was significant enough to you. Since this is more just for background and the benefit of your letter writer, you don't have to strictly adhere to CV-writing guidelines you might see elsewhere.

If you don't have your PS ready, I'd at least try to start putting something down in words that you can give to them. While they may want to talk to you in person, it also helps them to have something to refer to when they're composing your letter.