LOR from an elected official?

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Is this a good idea or bad idea ? I can get a LOR from a very respected elected official in my community. He is a great person & I think a very important assest in my area. Should I avoid getting one from an elected official ? Does this look bad , or its ok ? (PS its not the MAYOR OR GOVERNOR lol)

 

[Richardh]

as long as your elected official knows you well thoroughly then i say yes great idea 🙂 it doesn't look bad at all.

 

[muhali3]

If he knows you well enough to write about your ability to be a good doctor and med student. Don't get just because of his title; it holds a lot less weight than you think.

 

[apumic]

Honestly, I probably wouldn't. The fact of the matter is that EVEN IF he knows you well enough to write a decent LOR (and I'd be doubtful that this is the case) and EVEN IF he knows enough about medical and/or graduate school to write a decent LOR (once again, I doubt this is the case), the fact of the matter is that anyone reading that LOR is likely going to assume he doesn't really know you and is just writing a bunch of BS like politicians do. It'll also look like you're trying to leverage some politician's name/title to get you into med school. I have a feeling that could backfire quite easily. OTOH, maybe it could help; you really never know -- I'd just have my reservations about doing this.

 

[ArthurIhde]

i think the idea is not bad

 

[Musclemass]

.. assest in my area.

Are you saying he's an ass in your area? That's typical.

Elected politicians are rarely well respected. Potentially half the people who might read that letter will not be from this person's political party and may think he's a bozo. Some of the people in the same party may think so too. Or even if they don't know or know of the person, it might start some head scratching in wonderment of why you thought a letter from such a person was appropriate.

Lots of potential disadvantages and no advantages.

 

[njbmd]

Is this a good idea or bad idea ? I can get a LOR from a very respected elected official in my community. He is a great person & I think a very important assest in my area. Should I avoid getting one from an elected official ? Does this look bad , or its ok ? (PS its not the MAYOR OR GOVERNOR lol)

If you worked for this individual on some significant legislation or a significant project (doesn't have to be health-care related) and this individual can speak about your work ethic (knows you very well) and your "love" of humanity, then this should be an OK letter. If you have a letter from a politician stating that you are good human, then skip it. Being a "great" person i.e. your hero-worship does not mean that this person is an asset to your career in medicine. A professor that knows you well and can speak to your academics would be a better "asset".

 

[ArthurIhde]

Are you saying he's an ass in your area? That's typical.

Elected politicians are rarely well respected. Potentially half the people who might read that letter will not be from this person's political party and may think he's a bozo. Some of the people in the same party may think so too. Or even if they don't know or know of the person, it might start some head scratching in wonderment of why you thought a letter from such a person was appropriate.

Lots of potential disadvantages and no advantages.

i dont think so

 

[LizzyM]

This is OK if you were employed by the individual (for example, in the district office or in the Capitol) or if you were involved as an advocate for a new public policy through which the official got to know you and your skills as a speaker, writer and/or organizer.

If they are a neighbor, friend, parent of a friend, family friend, married into your family, etc., it's not such a good idea.