LOR- 1st in the Class

[Insulinshock]

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Hey guys,

I tries using the search function for a thread like this, but the only one I'm aware of is the automatic one when you enter a new topic and its not workin` right now.

Anyways, my orgo II prof agreed to write me a letter, and he said in it he was going to talk about how I was first in the class out of 70 and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACS final. I was pretty pumped when I heard about this, but I was wondering if it was really that big of a deal? Is that something to be excited about or will it not make that huge of a difference to adcoms?

Thanks

 

[nonsciencemajor]

Hey guys,

I tries using the search function for a thread like this, but the only one I'm aware of is the automatic one when you enter a new topic and its not workin` right now.

Anyways, my orgo II prof agreed to write me a letter, and he said in it he was going to talk about how I was first in the class out of 70 and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACS final. I was pretty pumped when I heard about this, but I was wondering if it was really that big of a deal? Is that something to be excited about or will it not make that huge of a difference to adcoms?

Thanks

there will be no clear answer on what is a good LOR, but I think that if all your professor writes "Insulin is a good boy, and comes in many varieties just like insulin (or whatever) does ... he did well on ACS final, was 1 in his class, and got an A" that is a bad letter in my opinion

Adcom's can see the grade on the transcript, and an A will show mastery of the material. They dont need to know about that. They need to know your personal characteristics which makes you unique and not to see a letter which shows that you are a bookworm. For example your prof can mention how you help struggling students in your class by studying with them at time. Or how you would take the responsibility of being a representative for the class, etc..... i think a letter which describes your character in a positive light would be helpful for your app... i would ask the prof BEFORE he writes a letter if he can comment on your personality more than your academic success in the class... if he can, perfect... if he can't, I would personally not even bother getting the letter than

but again, there is no definite answer on what is a good LOR

 

[Insulinshock]

Ok I get what you're saying, thanks. I understand character letters are very important, and I have one of them from a volunteer coordinator and from a manager I've worked for for a couple years. I mean, I'm not a bookworm in the slightest so that's not the image I'm going to portray I was curious about this specific situation.

The question I'm referring to is stricly the weight that being 1st in the class holds. I guess I should rephrase the question to 'is this something adcoms see a lot of' or is it somewhat unique?

 

[akinetopsia]

1st in class isn't a bad thing by any means, but you should have tried to cultivate more of a relationship with the professor so s/he came to know you better as a person. I realize this is difficult, especially considering most classes are large sections of 100-200+ people, at least in prereq classes from what I have seen. Did you go to office hours? Did you show the professor your personal statement or have a conversation about why you're pursuing medicine?

A good LOR describes something about a candidate that numbers on their transcript and a simple grade cannot, such as which of your characteristics make you a great fit for a career as a doctor. A professor can't write an effective LOR if they do not know you all that well, i.e. they just know you got an A and were first in the class.

[Edit: considering the caliber of applicants to med schools, to answer your above question, I'm sure medical school admissions committees most likely have seen letters mentioning a student that was "first in the class" or "one of the top five students I've ever taught" etc.]