LoR Question

[Katatonic]

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For MD/PhD, do my LoRs still have to follow the "2 from science profs, 1 from non-science prof, X from non-acedemic" outline? I mean, I'd figure if I had LoRs from my boss/PI (MD), and the people I help with research (PhD and MS) it would hold more weight since they know me so much better than any of my profs.

 

[cyclin M]

hmm bumping this.

I'm tight with 4 PhDs in my lab and my PI. My profs only know me marginally well and that's even with me actively going to office hours and what not.

What I don't get is how some programs want 3 lab reccs or 2 lab reccs or something. I chose to stick with 1 lab because that's how you pump out the pubs, but now it looks like I am going to have to get a little creative and turn to the postdocs in the lab or something...but it specifically says "profs." 🙁

 

[anemone2]

hmm bumping this.

What I don't get is how some programs want 3 lab reccs or 2 lab reccs or something. I chose to stick with 1 lab because that's how you pump out the pubs, but now it looks like I am going to have to get a little creative and turn to the postdocs in the lab or something...but it specifically says "profs." 🙁

I would check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527923 (the gist of which is that it's usually fine to have just 1 lab LOR if you've worked in a single lab for a significant amount of time).

 

[Synplast]

The way I did it was to get 1 LOR from my PI, a LOR from 2 science/math profs, and 1 humanities prof. While post-docs might know you better, I think med schools want letter of recs from actual professors.

Your letter of rec from your PI may count the 2 LOR from science prof requirement because your PI is probably some sort of professor (assistant/associate if not full). I think you will still need to get a LOR from a science professor with whom you took a class. If you're still a little early in the application cycle, I would suggest taking a seminar course as these tend to be smaller and you can get to know your professor better.

In the case of some schools requiring 2 lab recs...some schools are lenient on this policy if you've stayed with the same lab for multiple years and will only require you to get a LOR from your PI. Just check with the school to make sure.

 

[Katatonic]

Thanks. Yeah, my PI is a professor for a few things I think (surgery, medicine, and something else like Biochem probably). However, he's not at the school I attend so I'm not sure if he'll count for the prof requirement.

 

[tiamat360]

While post-docs might know you better, I think med schools want letter of recs from actual professors.

It's usually possible to get a letter written by a grad student or postdoc who's worked closely with you, then have the letter co-signed by the PI. So you get a letter written by someone who knows you, but you get the PI's stamp of approval too.

I think (I hope!) med schools would understand if you only had one research letter because you spent your time working in a single lab throughout undergrad, especially if you produced significant work in the lab.

 

[cyclin M]

I would check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527923 (the gist of which is that it's usually fine to have just 1 lab LOR if you've worked in a single lab for a significant amount of time).

ah yes, thanks for the reminder and link. I do remember reading this a whole back.