No doctor for Letters of Recommendation

[leaveit2rani]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I believe we need 3 letters of rec for AMCAS and I was planning on getting them from:

1) my PI that I do clinical research with

2) Orgo professor

3) Employer

Is it crucial to get one from a doctor?

 

[dpan4]

I had the same concern when I applied. Yes, having a doctor writing rec helps, but it won't break your app. Ideally, you do want someone commenting on your dedication to service/volunteer, so a coordinator for the volunteer work should be included if you dont have a doctor write you a rec

 

[NickRiviera MD]

I believe we need 3 letters of rec for AMCAS and I was planning on getting them from:

1) my PI that I do clinical research with

2) Orgo professor

3) Employer

Is it crucial to get one from a doctor?

Some schools want 3 professors: 2 science and 1 non-science.
You should get those 3 plus PI plus employer, doctor, or volunteer person

 

[487806]

I believe we need 3 letters of rec for AMCAS and I was planning on getting them from:

1) my PI that I do clinical research with

2) Orgo professor

3) Employer

Is it crucial to get one from a doctor?

No, unless you're applying to DO schools.

Some schools want 3 professors: 2 science and 1 non-science.
You should get those 3 plus PI plus employer, doctor, or volunteer person

👍

 

[gyngyn]

Most applicants to MD schools do not have an MD letter.

 

[Lollygag]

Yea it's not necessary unless DO. I'm probably not gonna get one.

 

[somethingdeep]

I just got letters from three professors (PhDs), no doctors or even volunteer supervisors or employers (one professor was my research mentor) and I was fine.

 

[peperobox]

Quality over quantity 😉

Sent from my SPH-L710 using SDN Mobile

 

[cjorgensen754]

I'm in the same boat - Our Advisor here has mentioned that it'd be helpful for an MD, but not critical. She did mention, though, that watch what type of physicians you use for which applications (i.e some DO schools don't look favorably if you have a MD write you a LOR and vice-versa).

 

[ScholarStud]

It's been discussed before: what exactly is a physician you've shadowed going to have to say about you? A letter from an MD is all but useless, not only terms of improving your app but in helping an adcom see more about who you are.

 

[IL Pre Med]

I'm not getting an MD letter, I don't feel like someone you shadow can write you a strong letter, unless of course you had more interactions with that physician other than shadowing.

 

[OCDOCDOCD]

The advice I've always seen repeated on here is that shadowing LORs do nothing to help your application and are generally viewed as a waste of an LOR slot. The exception is for DO schools which require a physician letter.

 

[mimelim]

LOR thread that answers this question and saves me from writing a response. Go me for thinking two months ahead and saving me time!

 

[487806]

LOR thread that answers this question and saves me from writing a response. Go me for thinking two months ahead and saving me time!

Already in my signature mimelim. You don't have to take the trouble to post it. 😉

 

[TooMuchResearch]

"Of all the annoying pre-meds that have needlessly shadowed me throughout the years, he was by far the least annoying" is roughly the best comment a doc you shadow will have to say. You don't need a letter from an MD to get into MD school.

You will need MD letters to get into residency. Still, I imagine those read something like "Of all the hilariously wrong diagnoses and dangerously inept patient management decisions medical students working here have made over the years, hers were by far the least dangerous."

 

[mimelim]

You will need MD letters to get into residency. Still, I imagine those read something like "Of all the hilariously wrong diagnoses and dangerously inept patient management decisions medical students working here have made over the years, hers were by far the least dangerous."

They shouldn't. There is a ton to talk about. We call the letter writers of anyone we are very interested in and talk with them about the applicant.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

They shouldn't. There is a ton to talk about. We call the letter writers of anyone we are very interested in and talk with them about the applicant.

I was making a joke : )

 

[mimelim]

I was making a joke : )

🙂

 

[487806]

"Of all the annoying pre-meds that have needlessly shadowed me throughout the years, he was by far the least annoying" is roughly the best comment a doc you shadow will have to say. You don't need a letter from an MD to get into MD school.

You will need MD letters to get into residency. Still, I imagine those read something like "Of all the hilariously wrong diagnoses and dangerously inept patient management decisions medical students working here have made over the years, hers were by far the least dangerous."

They shouldn't. There is a ton to talk about. We call the letter writers of anyone we are very interested in and talk with them about the applicant.

I was making a joke : )

🙂

😕

 

[TooMuchResearch]

😕

The part about getting a letter from a doc to get into med school was not a joke. The MD letter is pointless.

Good letters are essential for matching into residency, but you don't need to worry about that for a couple more years.