Does the reference letter we get from an MD have to be one we have known only through volunteering or shadowing, or can it be one who knows us personally? I'm asking because although i've shadowed docs and volunteered in hospital settings I wouldn't be anywhere near comfortable to ask them for a LOR. I've known an MD who's been a bit of a family friend for at least 5 years now and he would be able to provide a much better letter, but I don't know if that's not allowed.
MD Reference Letter Question
- Thread starter RyRy89
- Start date
There's no rules as long as it's not a Family MEMBER. Shadowing and volunteering are not "required" activities for the application, but they are required in the sense that you need them to be competitive. The LOR from the family friend MD is perfectly acceptable.
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 18,577
- Reaction score
- 57
It's definitely allowed, but it might look better if you actually shadow him and don't mention that he is a family friend. That way the LOR will not look biased from the start.
2
211519
If he is a family friend, just ask to shadow for a bit. That fixes the problem. It is perfectly ethical for him to write the letter as long as he is not a relative/signficant other. It is very important to have letters from physicians who can say something personal about you. Generic LORs are not very useful.
Also, since this is posted on Pre-Osteo, make sure you have a DO letter too, as many DO schools require one (and those that do not require it still like to see it).
- Joined
- May 18, 2012
- Messages
- 66
- Reaction score
- 2
The while point of an LOR is to give an admission committee a better idea of who you are as a person, above and beyond the MCATs and GPA. Having a physician do this theoretically carries more weight because you are having a current physician talk about your virtues as a potential physician.
Because the whole point of an LOR is to represent YOU, I would say that it would be extremely beneficial to have a letter written that is much more personal and can better illustrate your personality, versus one that would be a little more generic and say "this person shadowed/volunteered. They are good."
Go with a letter writer who is going to best represent you. This goes academically and otherwise! Best of luck to you!
Onwards!
Because the whole point of an LOR is to represent YOU, I would say that it would be extremely beneficial to have a letter written that is much more personal and can better illustrate your personality, versus one that would be a little more generic and say "this person shadowed/volunteered. They are good."
Go with a letter writer who is going to best represent you. This goes academically and otherwise! Best of luck to you!
Onwards!
