LOR from patient I worked for?

[sisterxchromatid]

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Hi, I had my last letter writer lined up but they ghosted me last minute, or are just taking long to submit the letter. To be fair, I am behind on this. However, I have another letter writer, I am just not sure if I can use them. It is an older lady who I have cared for, paid by her, as a CNA. She is wonderful and offered to write one when I was talking about my situation. Obviously, she is not with a company and neither am I while helping her. I was wondering if I could create some bland letterhead for her to submit with, or if I should go the route of saying I was volunteering with helping her (to avoid any issues/stigma/etc with under the table cash payments and such). Obviously this is not my first choice of letter writers, but I am out of time.

Im a non-trad student running stupidly behind this cycle. I would really like to apply this cycle and this last letter is all I need. Any suggestions are welcome! Please and thank you!

 

[wysdoc]

"or if I should go the route of saying I was volunteering with helping her (to avoid any issues/stigma/etc with under the table cash payments and such)."
This already sounds sketchy and would not be a suitable letter for a med school application.
Are you also evading income tax by getting paid under the table?

You have another writer you have requested a letter from, so list them instead and understand that the letters do not have to be turned in at the same time as your application.

 

[Dral]

I'd say no on this. You want someone who can speak to your academic prowess. While someone who speaks to your caring nature is great, I do not think that is the main point of a med school app letter. You want someone who can speak to your academic abilities combined with your other qualities.

Could this patient request your CV and integrate your academic achievements in with your other personality qualities to craft a good letter? Maybe, but it just wouldn't be taken correctly I think. I'm afraid it would instead come off as 'They didn't understand the assignment' (on your part) type of thing.

Physicians and Profs: Can speak to your academic qualities, personality qualities, and combine those into why they think you would be a good med school candidate/physician.

Patient: Can speak to your personality qualities. While an astute person in this situation could craft a good 'bedside manner' type of narrative, that's not the only/main thing adcoms are looking for.

Possibly as an additional letter if there was some special circumstance you'd like to convey, but I'd vote not as one of your required letters.

 

[sisterxchromatid]

Thank you everyone! I didn't know I could submit my application while waiting for a LOR still. I have taken the advice and decided not to take one from the patient. Ty! ◡̈