letters of rec

[tidbit218]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey all. Thanks for the answers on my last thread. Sorry if this is a really basic question, but do MSTP programs typically require additional letters of rec? Did you submit your research advisor's letter for the MD program (was it one of your main three) or just for MSTP? Does it matter if you've taken a class taught by your advisor? If you need letters specifically for MSTP, can you use letters also submitted for the MD program? Thanks in advance.

Elizabeth

 

[Doctor&Geek]

I think I made a poor decision to include the same letters for my medical school application as my MSTP application. They told me I could, but what the medical school admissions commitee wants is different from what the MSTP committee wants, and is also different from what your recommenders think those two committees want, if they even have any idea to whom exactly they're writing.

Bottom line: I suggest that you get a letter from your research advisor, one from your post-doc/grad student you worked with, and one from your major advisor for MSTP. For the others, take your pick from the humanities and science professors, including your A DIFFERENT letter from your major advisor or research mentor if you decide to do so.

Others may have a different opinion, and I bet that most got in without doing this.

Best of luck.

Yours,

Jason

 

[Neuronix]

I just blasted a ridiculous number of letters to both the MD and MD/PhD committees at every school and let them figure it out. In total I had 9 LORs:
3 Previous Research Mentors
2 Science Profs
2 Previous Bosses
1 Non-Science Prof
1 Volunteer Coordinator
and a partridge in a pear tree...

So anyways, MSTP programs typically require research LORs. I did also submit my research LORs to the MD committees. One of my research mentors did teach two classes that I took. However, since I already had 2 science LORs, I just had him address my research.

I hope this helps. Originally I planned on sending two sets of letters, but that was too complicated.

 

[tidbit218]

Thanks for the help. What did you tell your letter-writers to do differently for MSTP versus MD letters? For example, if I theoretically asked one person for two letters, what should I ask him to emphasize in the MSTP letter (besides research). Also, do you have any suggestions for information to give a letter-writer? I'm meeting with one professor when I get back to school. She requested my personal statement and a transcript; is there anything else your writers said they found helpful? Thanks again.

Elizabeth