non clinician LoR

Started by BKneuro
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BKneuro

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hello,
Despite my forum name, I'm applying to psych this summer. A non-clinician professor who knows me very well is willing to write me a strong letter. My question is, will this letter be more acceptable/helpful as the 4th letter than a so-so letter from a clinician? Can a non-clinician letter when used as the 4th letter (meaning I have 3 clinician letters) hurt my application in any way? Thanks!
 
It's taking a chance. To the extent it can comment on observations relevant to your clinical abilities, it is a good thing. If it's a family friend who is mostly saying "I know BK well and he/she is a nice person", not so much--and may leave a program wondering "Couldn't they find a real letter writer?"
 
OldPsychDoc said:
It's taking a chance. To the extent it can comment on observations relevant to your clinical abilities, it is a good thing. If it's a family friend who is mostly saying "I know BK well and he/she is a nice person", not so much--and may leave a program wondering "Couldn't they find a real letter writer?"
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I would agree. If you worked with this person, or they were a mentor over a period of time in a graduate program it would probably be fine. Just be sure they can support how and why they can comment on your talents and character. Avoid anything that sounds like; “I have known Johnny as a family friend since he was four years old and let me tell you….”
 
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I'm guessing a stunning this student walks on water, heals the sick, and raises the dead from a non-clinician would make someone wonder why a clinician hasn't been impressed enough to write the same things.
 
BKneuro said:
hello,
Despite my forum name, I'm applying to psych this summer. A non-clinician professor who knows me very well is willing to write me a strong letter. My question is, will this letter be more acceptable/helpful as the 4th letter than a so-so letter from a clinician? Can a non-clinician letter when used as the 4th letter (meaning I have 3 clinician letters) hurt my application in any way? Thanks!
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Disclaimer: Not a program director

I would think that as a 4th letter this would be fine provided the letter writer was able to testify to something relevant to your application. For example, two of my four letters were from research supervisors - granted they were also MD's but really the point of their letters was to reflect on my scholarly capacities. But my whole application was geared around wanting to pursue research so this made a lot of sense. I could similarly imagine that if this letter is from a research mentor, or perhaps someone else that mentored you in something you hope to continue pursuing (such as outreach work, international work, etc.) it would be fine?
 
SmallBird said:
Disclaimer: Not a program director

I would think that as a 4th letter this would be fine provided the letter writer was able to testify to something relevant to your application. For example, two of my four letters were from research supervisors - granted they were also MD's but really the point of their letters was to reflect on my scholarly capacities. But my whole application was geared around wanting to pursue research so this made a lot of sense. I could similarly imagine that if this letter is from a research mentor, or perhaps someone else that mentored you in something you hope to continue pursuing (such as outreach work, international work, etc.) it would be fine?
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You've got the right idea.
 
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