problems getting recommendation letters

[chloroform2009]

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Most med schools require two letters of recs from science faculty. The last time I ever took a science course was about 5 years ago. Back then I was probably sitting in row #25 and the faculty would only know I was in their classes only by matching my former student id with the course titles, dates, and grades probably in their excel spreadsheets. Apparently these professors would express blank stares if I were to ask if they remember me.

What should I do?

How do I approach these instructors for recommendation letters? What can I do to get them to write about me in the best possible light?

 

[calimed214]

If you haven't taken classes in 5 years, I would recommend taking a couple of courses through your local university. Not only will you be able to show med schools more recent coursework, but this is probably the easiest way to find people to write letters for you.

Otherwise, the only way to go about it is to contact your old teachers, explain your situation, and see if they'd be willing to meet with you. Then at the meeting have copies of your old transcript, a resume, a personal statement, etc. and basically have the professor get to know a bit about you and see if he/she would be willing to write you a positive letter. I've heard of people who have been able to obtain letters this way, but it's risky too. You could just get a "blah" letter from someone who obviously doesn't know you well and is just regurgitating stuff from your PS or resume onto a piece of paper.

Also keep in mind that some schools are somewhat flexible on the LOR requirement. I've been able to substitute an employer letter for a science or non-science letter by explaining my non-trad status. So you may only have to find 1 or 2 professors to vouch for you.

 

[Caprica6]

I've noticed that most school require 3 LOR from professors, 2 science OR a committee letter/packet. Does your undergraduate institution have a pre-med committee that would do a letter/packet for you as an alumni. I would check into this.

 

[ShinyDome19]

If you havent taken a science course in 5 years, it wouldnt supprise me if an admissions committee suggests to you to go back and retake pre-reqs. I have a friend that went to law school instead of medical school, after taking all the pre-reqs, then decided to go to medical school afterwards (~4 years after) and had to go back and repeat the pre-reqs.

 

[calimed214]

If you havent taken a science course in 5 years, it wouldnt supprise me if an admissions committee suggests to you to go back and retake pre-reqs. I have a friend that went to law school instead of medical school, after taking all the pre-reqs, then decided to go to medical school afterwards (~4 years after) and had to go back and repeat the pre-reqs.

You don't have to repeat prereqs just because they were taken a long time ago. My prereqs were all taken 7-11 years ago and no med school has ever had a problem with them. But I've taken other upper division science classes in the last couple of years, to show schools I can still cut it. That's all they really care about.

 

[mzblue]

You don't have to repeat prereqs just because they were taken a long time ago. My prereqs were all taken 7-11 years ago and no med school has ever had a problem with them. But I've taken other upper division science classes in the last couple of years, to show schools I can still cut it. That's all they really care about.

how did you get your science LORs if you took them 7years ago?

 

[calimed214]

how did you get your science LORs if you took them 7years ago?

Like I said above, I've taken more recent upper division science courses. I just didnt redo my prereqs because there was no need to.