Premed Committee

[bbas]

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Members don't see this ad.

Did anyone not go through the premed committee at your school when you applied? Here, we have to get additional LOR's and several interviews with the committee and then they either recommend highly, recommend with reservation, or don't recommend. Basically, the whole committee thing seems like a big waste of time and I would rather not go through it. Would that look suspicious to prospective med schools?

 

[socal1015]

Did anyone not go through the premed committee at your school when you applied? Here, we have to get additional LOR's and several interviews with the committee and then they either recommend highly, recommend with reservation, or don't recommend. Basically, the whole committee thing seems like a big waste of time and I would rather not go through it. Would that look suspicious to prospective med schools?

Yes, it would look suspicious. In fact, they even say that you HAVE to go through your school's premed committee if you have one and if you don't, you better be ready to provide them with a good reason.

 

[girlsporty]

Yes, it would look suspicious. In fact, they even say that you HAVE to go through your school's premed committee if you have one and if you don't, you better be ready to provide them with a good reason.

I second that. I've heard that schools vastly prefer committee letters (from ADCOM members I know) Personally, I know someone who applied without the committee last year and didn't get in, reapplied this year with the committee and is currently waitlisted.... but at least he's not rejected!

 

[Medicineman20]

It depends on your school. For instance the University of Utah, does not want a committee letter, but prefers personal letters from professors and supervisors. I think the U of U is the only selection committee that prefers personal letters. Unfortunely, I have to apply to this school since I am a Utah Resident. 😡

 

[newbie1kenobi]

I second that. I've heard that schools vastly prefer committee letters (from ADCOM members I know) Personally, I know someone who applied without the committee last year and didn't get in, reapplied this year with the committee and is currently waitlisted.... but at least he's not rejected!

I didn't go through the premed committee, but I explained it in my secondaries that the professors who gave me the LOR's can provide better insights on my academic performance as a non-trad student. I was able to snag an acceptance and 8 waitlists, so I guess it varies per school.

 

[SemperJeff]

Did anyone not go through the premed committee at your school when you applied? Here, we have to get additional LOR's and several interviews with the committee and then they either recommend highly, recommend with reservation, or don't recommend. Basically, the whole committee thing seems like a big waste of time and I would rather not go through it. Would that look suspicious to prospective med schools?

I went through my "Pre-Professional" Committee. But at my school they only needed one interview with the chariman of the committee. It was up to the student to cultivate relationships with the other members over the past 3-4 years.

Waste of time? I dunno. I think a couple people on the committe knew me well so I think I got a good letter.

Guess it depends on the outcome whether or not its a waste...

 

[shantster]

It depends on your school. For instance the University of Utah, does not want a committee letter, but prefers personal letters from professors and supervisors. I think the U of U is the only selection committee that prefers personal letters. Unfortunely, I have to apply to this school since I am a Utah Resident. 😡

Wouldn't you get personal letters sent in a packet with the committee letter? If so, then just tell them that the U of U doesn't want the committee letter and to just send the personal letters they collected.

 

[signomi]

When I applied I met with a low-level guy on the committee and he refused to even let me meet with the committee. The guy told me I would never get into medical school and they would not help me. I applied without SUNY-freaking-Buffalo's approval and now I am an MD. Take that bitches!
Heh, not that I'm bitter.

BTW I was Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa with 31 MCATs! I was no slouch! It can be done without them, but only if you have to.

 

[LizzyM]

Some schools have a committee letter that is highly valued by the adcom. To not see a committee letter from an applicant at a school that does committee letters (Duke, Notre Dame, etc) does raise eyebrows on the adcom. Often these letters are sent with all the supporting LORs and the committee letter may quote selected (flattering) bits from the supporting LORs. When I started out I seldom read the committee letters, prefering to slog through all of the supporting LORs (what Utah does, obviously) so that I was sure not to miss any negative bits (the real reason you want to see LOR - - everyone is presumed "wonderful" unless proven otherwise). As I've gained experience and gotten to know certain premed advisors by reputation, I do look for specific letters and for those "outstanding" and "highly qualified" ratings.