Older applicants--rec letters?

[duker]

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I've been out of undegrad for a few years and was wondering how older applicants get rec letters from undergrad professors. In my case, my undergrad science profs don't know me from Adam. Any advice as to how I approach them?

Thanks

 

[pumpkins90]

I applied to dental school not medical school this year, but i was in the same situation as you. I graduated with my degree in 1998. None of my professors remembered me. The way my school works is they have evaluation sheets that your professors fill out, stating your rank in class, grade and how they feel you would perform in professional school. These forms are then sent to the main office where a composite letter is then typed and sent to the professional schools. I know they really can't say much about you as an individual, but you can always get letters elsewhere for that. I also had one sent from my current employer and another from my volunteer experience. Another option is to pick a class you did well in, then talked to your professor about your interests in medicine,goals,etc. Through conversation he/she could get to know you better and be able to write a more personal recommendation. Hope this helps.

 

[Teach]

I was in the same situation when I applied this year. I started contacting my undergrad in January 2002 to start the process. I knew I wanted to submit my app as early as possible. My undergrad has a Health Sciences Committee and I was required to supply the committee with transcripts, narrative summary of my experiences since graduation (1997), letter of recommendations from my current employers, and EC information and letters of rec from those experiences. I also traveled to my undergrad (from CA to MD) and interviewed with the committee. Luckily many of the professor did remember me - (I had done alot of research as an undergrad) - and the committee wrote a composite letter using my current letters of rec and input from the committee.

So, start early....extremely early...I interviewed with the committee in April 2002, submitted my AMCAS in June 2002, secondaries complete end of July 2002 and they did not get the letters out until the end of August 2002. You must be organized and make a plan. I received my first acceptance in November and a second in December! I'm 28 years old and going to med school next year. You can do it - but don't wait until the last minute. I hope your undergrad is as helpful as mine was. Good luck!!

 

[DrMom]

I agree with teach. Start early and use any avenue available. Check with the schools you are applying to & see if they will accept letters from employers, etc either in lieu of or in addition to the undergrad prof ones.

I applied last year & my undergrad degree was from 1993!

 

[tms]

From what I understand, applicants who have several years out should get letters from each stage of their life. So...get someone to write a letter for that period after undergrad (job, volunteer, etc.). There will prob. be less emphasis on the letters from your undergrad profs anyway. I would say most adcoms are most interested in what you are currently doing. I mean, you could have a 4.0 from years ago and spent the last two as a test subject for frontal lobotomies.

Just for the record...being an older applicant does offer its benefits. I am 26. Just graduated in May due to time taken off to support my poor butt. I had some rather devasting grades as a freshman in 1995 (I'm talking F's) but finished strong. I've been offered five interviews and have only been rejected once (post-secondary). Keep your fingers crossed and believe in your goals.

 

[duker]

Thanks a lot for your insight guys.
🙂