LOR Sources

[confusedhokie]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys,

So as I start to put my application together for the upcoming cycle, I've noticed that it seems to be widely accepted that you should have 2 from science professors and 1 from a nonscience professor. When I submit my application, I will have 1 from my academic adviser, 1 from my lab PI, 1 from a science professor, 2 physician letters, and a prehealth committee letter. Does this seem like an acceptable collection of letters, or is it better to stick with the common way of doing things mentioned above? Thanks!

 

[Oso]

You need, as you mentioned, two letters from science profs and one letter from a non-science prof. Additional letters (PI, volunteer coordinator, etc) are allowed and encouraged, but they cannot substitute for the core letters from profs who taught you in a class.

It looks like you still need letters from a science prof and a non-science prof. Also, as I understand it, letters from physicians aren't usually that impactful, so I would maybe choose the one you believe to be the strongest (don't send both), in addition to the PI and adviser letters. Good luck.

Edit: I somehow missed the part about your committee letter (oops!). Like Ace said below, the committee letter can be sent in place of the 2 science + 1 non-science. In that case, I think you're fine.

 

[Ace-Co-A]

Depends on the school. In general, schools accept the committee letter. Take Hopkins as an example:

"A recommendation from the applicant’s college premedical committee or an officially designated premedical advisor is required. If the college does not have a premedical advisor or premedical committee, two letters of recommendation are required from science faculty members in science departments who have taught the applicant and one non-science faculty member who has also taught the applicant."

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/som/admissions/md/application_process/prerequisites_requirements.html

 

[pietachok]

Hey guys,

So as I start to put my application together for the upcoming cycle, I've noticed that it seems to be widely accepted that you should have 2 from science professors and 1 from a nonscience professor. When I submit my application, I will have 1 from my academic adviser, 1 from my lab PI, 1 from a science professor, 2 physician letters, and a prehealth committee letter. Does this seem like an acceptable collection of letters, or is it better to stick with the common way of doing things mentioned above? Thanks!

Did your committee agree to write you a letter without 2 science + 1 non-science LORs? Most committees have similar requirements to the schools. I would be surprised that a committee wouldn't want more LORs from your professors. Also, how many LORs did your committee want? Some committees use/append all your LORs but others will only use the best ones. Back when I was advised, we were told not to exceed 5 LORs, in which case, I would recommend getting another professor LOR and ditching an academic adviser's LOR. Unless your advisers have an unusual role at your school or you had a unique relationship with this adviser, I don't feel like an academic adviser is the most appropriate LOR -- it almost has a similar perspective as a committee letter, b/c they don't work with you directly in a context to see your performance and the way you engage with your classes. Your collection of letters seems lacking in its ability to supply the content expected from professor LORs, and I wouldn't feel confident that wouldn't hurt you, even if your committee was willing to accept those letters.