LOR question

[blife]

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Hi, I'd like to get some opinions about a perspective LOR. I attended a presentation on writing personal statements, and the presenter, who is an Adcom member at a school I'm not applying to, said that if there's a medical/academic experience in your PS, you should have an LOR from the person involved. Well, I have just over 200 hours volunteering in the ED, but because the doctors are on different shifts each week, and I changed my shifts a few times, I don't think any of them could sincerely write me a strong letter. Plus, they're residents and probably don't want to write a letter b/c they're super busy with being residents. I did get to know one of the charge nurses pretty well, and feel she would be able to write me a strong letter. Does it matter if an LOR is from a nurse instead of a doctor? Would it help, hurt or have no impact? I'll be getting pre-med committee letter from my post-bac school, so it would be listed in the committee LOR.
Thanks!

 

[Kahr]

I'm not sure how medical schools works, but with dental, if you have a committee letter you aren't normally required to have additional individual LORs. So in your case, I would confirm the above, and if it's true, then a LOR from that nurse couldn't hurt. Although, I think a letter from an MD/DO would be better, especially if you don't have one yet at all, you are going to medical school after all. I'm surprised you didn't get to know any of the attending docs having spent so many hours in the ED... you might try talking to the resident you felt got to know you best or seemed to like you best, they might surprise you and offer to write you that LOR.

 

[blife]

Thanks for your reply Kahr. It was an urban, high volume ED so there was little chit chat going on between anyone. I did get to know one resident ok, so I could ask her for a letter. I have a letter from an MD from my research/shadowing experience, I just want to make sure it doesn't look odd not to have a letter from my volunteer experience.

Also, at least at the committee I'm going through, the letters of recommendation sent to the committee are listed in the committee letter. That way the schools know you have the required amount and type of letters.