Letters of recommendation from physicians - For a non-trad

[inasensegone]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I don't want this to be super long so I'll try to make it brief. First of all, I will be a non-traditional applicant this year. I will only likely have 1 LOR from a science faculty member (a Biology professor with a PhD). I have been out of school too long to get another from a faculty member. I can get another from a post-doc (PhD) with whom I worked in a biochemistry lab, however they are not the P.I., so I don't know how that would be regarded?

In context of the above, here is my predicament: 3 M.D.'s have also agreed to write LOR's for me, however they are all males (I am also a male). The science faculty member is a male as well. The lab post-doc is a female. I am wondering if I would be better suited to add a LOR from a female M.D. as well to round it out? I know that it is much more important that the people writing the LOR's write a solid letter, than what their gender is of course... however I am certain that they will all write solid LOR's for me. Assuming that the letters are all equivalently in my favor, would it behoove me to add one from a female doctor?

Any input on the matter would be greatly appreciated! Please don't make this some kind of gender war or something. If you read what I wrote, then you will know that that is not at all what I am advocating here 🙂

Edit: I understand that this is not the "non-trad" sub-forum but this isn't specifically a non-trad issue

 

[Remy LeBeau]

I would worry about getting another science faculty letter. I remember some schools requiring two. I don't think anyone is going to think twice about the gender mix in your letters.

 

[inasensegone]

I would worry about getting another science faculty letter. I remember some schools requiring two. I don't think anyone is going to think twice about the gender mix in your letters.

Thanks for the reply! Yes I have considered this issue as well, however I'm not sure who to go to. I have read that the requirement of 2 faculty member letters primarily applies to traditional applicants. Also many med schools supposedly will understand that non-trads cannot necessarily obtain these types of letters. Perhaps I can try to reconnect with one of my former professors, but I don't know how successful I will be or how strong their letters would be, given the amount of time since I was in their class.

What are your thoughts on the LOR from the biochem lab post-doc?

 

[inasensegone]

The requirement that 2 faculty letters would apply for ALL students, not just the traditional students. Medical school admissions is a negative process by its nature; that is they are looking to shrink the number of possible candidates. Some schools may strictly adhere to this and thus you run a risk. On the other hand, lack of a specific LOR are much less likely to be a reason for removing a good candidate from the pool. I would say that your suggestion on a fellow post doc would be a reasonable alternative. What about previous grad school, PhD advisors, etc as writers?

Thank you for the input! I know that the requirement is actually a requirement, and thus applies to everyone... I guess I was just referring to there being some "wiggle room". As you said, the lack of a specific LOR may not necessarily disqualify me if the rest of my app is solid. However, I do agree that it would be best not to take any unnecessary risk, and therefore I am going to look into reconnecting with some old professors. Unfortunately, outside of the lab mate and physicians, I don't have many other sources to ask.

 

[gyngyn]

Physician letters are not particularly valued in the MD application process (DO's view this differently). If you can possibly get two science letters from profs who taught you it will go much better.

 

[hubriz]

Physician letters are not particularly valued in the MD application process (DO's view this differently). If you can possibly get two science letters from profs who taught you it will go much better.

Even considering the scenario where the applicant has been out of touch with professors?

FWIW I had a successful application cycle (40% ii rate) using letters written by those who could testify best to my candidacy as a medical school student and future physician, which included my PhD-advisor, a collaborating professor at another institution, a physician colleague and a physician collaborator. Perhaps this negatively affected my application at some institutions...

 

[inasensegone]

Physician letters are not particularly valued in the MD application process (DO's view this differently). If you can possibly get two science letters from profs who taught you it will go much better.

I'm not going to lie, that's pretty rough to hear... it's tough to get these letters as a non-trad. I am definitely going to try to reconnect with some professors I had a good rapport with though. Hopefully it will all work out. For what it's worth, the physicians from which I intend to receive LOR's are familiar with my abilities to learn and work under pressure.

Even considering the scenario where the applicant has been out of touch with professors?

FWIW I had a successful application cycle (40% ii rate) using letters written by those who could testify best to my candidacy as a medical school student and future physician, which included my PhD-advisor, a collaborating professor at another institution, a physician colleague and a physician collaborator. Perhaps this negatively affected my application at some institutions...

Thank you so much for posting this! It is a relief to hear that not all is lost if I can't secure additional LOR's from professors 🙂 Unfortunately the difference between you and I is that you still had 2 letters from professors (the PhD advisor? and the collaborating professor).

Anyway, thank you both for your input. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

 

[gyngyn]

Even considering the scenario where the applicant has been out of touch with professors?

FWIW I had a successful application cycle (40% ii rate) using letters written by those who could testify best to my candidacy as a medical school student and future physician, which included my PhD-advisor, a collaborating professor at another institution, a physician colleague and a physician collaborator. Perhaps this negatively affected my application at some institutions...

There will always be exceptions. The observation that physicians never write anything but a warm letter has devalued them over time.

 

[Catalystik]

I know that the requirement is actually a requirement, and thus applies to everyone... I guess I was just referring to there being some "wiggle room". As you said, the lack of a specific LOR may not necessarily disqualify me if the rest of my app is solid. However, I do agree that it would be best not to take any unnecessary risk, and therefore I am going to look into reconnecting with some old professors.

Some schools will allow for "wiggle room." It's generally a good idea not to surprise them, though. Call schools where you can't meet their specifically stated requirements and ask (in view of your nontrad status) if LORs from X, Y, or Z could be substituted. Some will grant the petition and others will be rigid. In the latter case, you can save some money/change schools to target by being fore-armed with the information.

 

[mehc012]

There will always be exceptions. The observation that physicians never write anything but a warm letter has devalued them over time.

That's too bad. I thought that'd be one of the best perks of scribing.

 

[inasensegone]

Some schools will allow for "wiggle room." It's generally a good idea not to surprise them, though. Call schools where you can't meet their specifically stated requirements and ask (in view of your nontrad status) if LORs from X, Y, or Z could be substituted. Some will grant the petition and others will be rigid. In the latter case, you can save some money/change schools to target by being fore-armed with the information.

As with the others who have offered their advice so far, this is solid advice. Thank you! That definitely sounds like a potential money, and headache, saver 🙂

 

[baconshrimps]

It will not matter if your LOR's are all written by men or all written by women.

 

[inasensegone]

That's too bad. I thought that'd be one of the best perks of scribing.

Hahaha... So did I buddy...

Well OK not really, but I definitely did think it would be a perk at the least. Regardless, I learn so much as a scribe it's crazy. Of course, half the time I am reading on UpToDate and am therefore teaching myself, but seeing a patient and then learning about their diseases really cements the information.

 

[inasensegone]

It will not matter if your LOR's are all written by men or all written by women.

Thanks for the response! I almost forgot I asked this with all the down turns my outlook has taken 🙁

🙂

 

[mehc012]

Hahaha... So did I buddy...

Well OK not really, but I definitely did think it would be a perk at the least. Regardless, I learn so much as a scribe it's crazy. Of course, half the time I am reading on UpToDate and am therefore teaching myself, but seeing a patient and then learning about their diseases really cements the information.

I LOVE UpToDate. It's like a Wikipedia that only has things I care about on it! Random link clicking for the win!

 

[hubriz]

There will always be exceptions. The observation that physicians never write anything but a warm letter has devalued them over time.

Fair enough.

 

[hubriz]

Thanks for the response! I almost forgot I asked this with all the down turns my outlook has taken 🙁

🙂

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letters-of-recommendation.985472/#post-13697615

 

[inasensegone]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letters-of-recommendation.985472/#post-13697615

Thank you! Awesome post. I just read it. It gave me some hope! The physicians from whom I will be receiving LOR's all know my professionalism, work ethic, and my personality, so that was a reassuring read. 🙂