LOR's

[LifeTake2]

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Ok, maybe this is a dumb question, but how to do you decide who to get LOR's from, and how many.

I believe most schools only want a couple submitted.

But who?

1) I'm only taking my pre-req's so I will have an advisor letter from the school but she has only known me for 12months. How good of a letter can she write when she doesn't know me??

2) I have several physicians that I have known for years that were part of my decision to change careers that have offered letters. Most of these would be excellent and from alum's of schools I'm applying to but does it matter that they are also friends?

3) I have shadowed a few doctors formally, and have 2 of them (poss 3) that will give me a LOR if I ask.

So thoughts? I know I have to have the faculty one, and I need a DO for osteophathic applications; but how do I decide who to use for the others and how many should I get?????

Thanks,

 

[familyaerospace]

Most schools want 2 science faculty and a non-science at the minimum.

Some might accept in place of non-science: non-med volunteering or work

Some ask for a committee letter (which may be different from "advisor," which other schools want)

Some want a physician LOR as you know. Pick whoever is going to write the strongest letter. If you have enough extra spots to hold letters, you might ask for one for each and then send the appropriate alum letter to the appropriate school.

Some schools (UND comes to mind) also want a peer letter.

 

[hopefuldoc97239]

Start by deciding which schools you want to apply to. Find out what they recommend.

You have a lot of people to choose from. Figure out who will satisfy the requirements for schools X, Y, and Z. If more than one person could fulfill a single requirement, use your own judgement to decide who's going to write the best letter (says the nicest stuff about you, most eloquently written, etc.)

Many schools accept more letters than they require. Use this to your advantage!

 

[LifeTake2]

Thanks, for some reason I did not realize I could pick/choose for each school.

That makes for more work during the application process (yipee) but also does let me tailor the letters to the school.

Thanks again,

 

[pdeco1]

Kaplan sells a "getting into medical school" book. You can download it for free still from www.bn.com