personal statement from 'unlikely' person

[golgiapparatus88]

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Hey all,

I'm at a crossroads as to if I should have my drum teacher write me a letter of recommendation. I know it sounds like a weird idea but he knows me extremely well, he saw me develop and end up teaching my own students privately as well as his when we was unavailable. I'm going to have my mentor in my malaria lab write me one who worked at the NYU med school as well as 1 or 2 physicians write me one so it's not really IMPORTANT if my old drum teacher writes me one..the thought just crossed my mind.

Thanks for reading. I know it's a weird question 🙄

David

 

[Revilla]

Hey all,

I'm at a crossroads as to if I should have my drum teacher write me a letter of recommendation. I know it sounds like a weird idea but he knows me extremely well, he saw me develop and end up teaching my own students privately as well as his when we was unavailable. I'm going to have my mentor in my malaria lab write me one who worked at the NYU med school as well as 1 or 2 physicians write me one so it's not really IMPORTANT if my old drum teacher writes me one..the thought just crossed my mind.

Thanks for reading. I know it's a weird question 🙄

David

You could have your drum teacher write it as a character letter, but you'll still need two science and one non-science letter. Unless your drum teacher taught you in college, he/she won't qualify as your non-science.

 

[thegetupkid]

This sounds like a great idea as long as you still make sure to have letters from 2 science, 1 non-science, and from your PI(s) and all significant club/clinical mentors.

 

[diosa428]

I just want to clarify that by 2 science, 1 non-science, the above posters are talking about professors who taught you in college. It's kind of unclear from your post if the physicians you are planning on having write letters are doctors that you shadowed or people who actually taught you in a classroom setting.

 

[TexasPhysician]

You could do it. I don't think it will hurt you, but I'm not sure it will help you either. M.D.'s often weigh letters from their own highest, especially if they happen to know said person. I had a couple people on the interview trail comment on what a great physician one of my LOR's was from, and how lucky I was to know him, etc. etc..

 

[pietachok]

I just want to clarify that by 2 science, 1 non-science, the above posters are talking about professors who taught you in college. It's kind of unclear from your post if the physicians you are planning on having write letters are doctors that you shadowed or people who actually taught you in a classroom setting.

If you have been out of academics (college/grad school/ postbacc) for several years, you are allowed to use non-traditional letters to fill certain categories at many schools.

If this counts as an employer and you think he can truly write well and convey the necessary info for a pre med LOR then go for it. However, many drum instructors (if he's not in a college) may lack an understanding of what should be in a pre-med LOR and/or the writing skills to make it really stand out. If you fear this might be the case, it could be beneficial to have it sent to your pre-med committee to tell you whether or not to use it before you upload it to interfolio.

 

[BlueElmo]

It could help you. I mean it's certianly unique and might set you apart from others. Like others said, just have your professor letters ready.

 

[golgiapparatus88]

thanks everyone! Yeah no worries, i have plenty of other recommendations from docs and professors. I just thought it might help me stand out just a tad bit more.