Letters of Recommendation help

[TroubledKing1]

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[AJS59]

Hi, I’m making a school list and I’m seeing different schools require 2 science faculty letters while others ask for one. In your opinion, how strict are these rules/should I post on the specific schools subreddit?

I have one letter from a science teacher, physician, and volunteer coordinator so I’m wondering is it even worth applying to these schools where I don’t meet the requirement for letters? Is there leniency?

In general if you don't meet their requirements it gets harder to do; that's why most pre-health advisors recommend 2 science faculty as part of your letter packet. Is there anyone else you could ask?

 

[LizzyM]

Physician letters aren't worth much to MD admission committees unless the physician was your PI or your employer. Volunteer coordinators are worth even less.

Committees are looking for how you perform in the classroom, at the bench (if the school puts a big emphasis on research), and in general as a member of the campus community (helpful, cordial, honest, trustworthy, a team player, a leader).

If you are at a huge school with hundreds of students in your weed-out classes, it is best to ask faculty in upper level classes that are a bit smaller.

 

[AJS59]

Hi, issue is I've been out of school for three years and I don't hold the same relationships with my teachers. Furthermore, my undergraduate school doesn't give letter packets 1 year post graduation. I have looked at all DO schools in America and I should be fine for 40/64 schools but the other 24 have that 2 science faculty requirement. Realistically, I'm going to apply to 30 or so of those schools. I was also thinking should I call these other 24 schools and see if I can substitute letters or not. Maybe I need to hire an advisor to see what schools are best for me. I would appreciate some advice and sorry for the word storm!

It doesn't hurt to try but I see what you mean. Doesn't hurt to call admissions offices and find out.

 

[LizzyM]

I would also add that faculty don't forget students as quickly as you might think. It can't hurt to write to a professor, remind the professor of the course title and time (e.g. Fall Semester 2021) and that you particularly enjoyed xyz. (or found it useful in subsequent classes). If you frequently attended office hours or had more frequent encounters with the professor other than the classroom, note that in your letter. Include the AMCAS guidelines for letters and ask if the faculty member could perhaps write a strong letter in support of your application for medical school.

 

[chilly_md]

Hi, issue is I've been out of school for three years and I don't hold the same relationships with my teachers. Furthermore, my undergraduate school doesn't give letter packets 1 year post graduation. I have looked at all DO schools in America and I should be fine for 40/64 schools but the other 24 have that 2 science faculty requirement. Realistically, I'm going to apply to 30 or so of those schools. I was also thinking should I call these other 24 schools and see if I can substitute letters or not. Maybe I need to hire an advisor to see what schools are best for me. I would appreciate some advice and sorry for the word storm!

Use the list provided by Goro. Based on your WAMC, most MD schools are unlikely to consider you with your TX residency and where your GPA is around. For DO, if most of the ones suggested to you are fine with your current letters, there is no need to worry any more about this.

 

[gym_panda]

Use the list provided by Goro. Based on your WAMC, most MD schools are unlikely to consider you with your TX residency and where your GPA is around. For DO, if most of the ones suggested to you are fine with your current letters, there is no need to worry any more about this.

I wanted to ask if having 1 physician and 3 stem profs letters of rec would work. Most of my non-stem classes were taken at community college or online and those profs weren't willing to write me a letter since I took them online and they believed it would not look good to get a letter from a professor I took an online course with. I was scared that not having a non-stem prof would look bad.

 

[chilly_md]

I wanted to ask if having 1 physician and 3 stem profs letters of rec would work. Most of my non-stem classes were taken at community college or online and those profs weren't willing to write me a letter since I took them online and they believed it would not look good to get a letter from a professor I took an online course with. I was scared that not having a non-stem prof would look bad.

You will need to check each school's requirements on their admissions page. A physician letter is not a non-stem professor. If you worked under them, it can be an employer letter, but would not fulfill the requirement if the school specifically wants a non-science LOR from a class you took.