LoR from boss

[Lokhtar]

I'm a non trad, and I know I have an absolutely exceptional LoR from my boss for whom I have worked for four years (I'm a nontrad so I have work experience, including designing some systems for hospital infection rates, etc). Should I use it for medical school, or do they want academic only?

 

[MilkmanAl]

Most schools allow room for extra letters besides the typical 2 science faculty and 1 non-science faculty. Some even require a non-faculty letter or two. Even if they limit you to a certain amount and only ask for professors, I'd go ahead and send that one anyway.

 

[LadyWolverine]

I sent letters from my bosses/supervisors. They definitely helped.

 

[chopper]

I would absolutely use these letters. Obviously you need the academic letters, but a stellar letter from someone who really knows you will go far. I had two of these, including one from a guy who must have gone way overboard, because his letter was the only thing many of my interviewers talked about.

 

[Lacheln]

I used one as well. All of the advice I got indicated that non-trads need one because you need to "document" your current performance in all major activites...which would include work. For me it was a bit tricky because I can't tell my boss that I'm applying, so I had to use one from a senior coworker.

 

[calimed214]

Yep definitely use it. I was even able to get some schools to accept employer letters in lieu of the non-science faculty letter.

 

[BambiMD]

Some schools actually require such letters from recent bosses/supervisors, or highly suggest it. Especially if it is exceptional, use it.

I ended up using my AmeriCorps volunteer supervisor letter for almost every secondary I sent in.

 

[ChairmanMao]

I used one as well. All of the advice I got indicated that non-trads need one because you need to "document" your current performance in all major activites...which would include work. For me it was a bit tricky because I can't tell my boss that I'm applying, so I had to use one from a senior coworker.

Yeah the OP should definitely get a recent recommendation letter from his employer if he's been out of school for more than a year. Depending on what company you work at and what type of profession you're involved with, you might want to be a bit discreet when asking for an LoR so that you don't get fired / laid-off/ or passed over for promotion when you tell your boss that you want to bail. You might not be able to get one from your direct supervisor or boss because he/she doesn't want you to leave the company or isn't qualified to judge how well you'll work as a physician (especially if your job has nothing to do with healthcare), but you should definitely approach a friend or co-worker who you're on good terms and bring up the subject over some drinks after work.

 

[Lokhtar]

My boss knows my future plans and is extremely supportive and has been for a couple years (since I decided), and even offered to write one. And I know its going to be an exceptional letter, and my job is only tangentially related to healthcare (application programmer for hospital). My question was if it would be a good idea, and it sounds like it's unanimous that I should use it.