Quality of LORs

[MDhopeful324]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi all!

While we all know that an applicant ideally needs a strong GPA and MCAT score to be invited for an interview, I was wondering how strong LORs play into the mix. For instance, are there cases where they can compensate for a -3/4 points below average MCAT score assuming that the applicant's app is solid otherwise? Is it a general rule that 3 okay LORs and higher metrics are usually favored?

 

[Skydive Fox]

My biochem Prof who's also an adcom told us that LoR's are usually the make-it-or-break-it whenever they have candidates who interview well and have similar GPA/MCAT stats. GPA may compensate a bit for MCAT or MCAT may compensate a bit for GPA, but I wouldn't count on LoR's doing the same...

 

[MDhopeful324]

Interesting. Thanks @Skydive Fox!

I figured that the GPA/MCAT compensation is something that happens. I wonder, though, if adcoms who question discrepancies in MCAT scores look to LORs for some kind of explanation and/or validation of the applicants qualifications for med school.

 

[MDhopeful324]

BUMP
@gonnif, I would really appreciate your opinion on this.

 

[MaxPlancker]

Yes I think exceptional LORs can certainly "make up" for reasonably subpar metrics in the sense that they can really get someone interested in meeting you and net you an interview (foot in the door). Post-interview, metrics are still considered but probably not as much as screening for IIs. I think "LORs" will also play significant roles post-interview when deciding between applicants that appear similar on paper otherwise.

 

[MDhopeful324]

Good to here! Are LORs almost always read along with secondaries rather than before a secondary is given to an applicant?

 

[MaxPlancker]

Usually post-secondary submission.

 

[Goro]

LORs usually don't help, but bad one can hurt. A collection of uniformly glowing LORs does get noted.

What I have bolded is pure fantasy. The only things that can make up for a < avg MCAT score or stats are:
URM status
Veteran status
Compelling life story
Outstanding ECs
Legacy status

BTW, Adcoms have received LORs from celebrities, Governors, Senators and Nobel laureates. They never help a marginal candidate.

Hi all!

While we all know that an applicant ideally needs a strong GPA and MCAT score to be invited for an interview, I was wondering how strong LORs play into the mix. For instance, are there cases where they can compensate for a -3/4 points below average MCAT score assuming that the applicant's app is solid otherwise? Is it a general rule that 3 okay LORs and higher metrics are usually favored?

 

[MDhopeful324]

@ goro - Thank you, understood. I might not have been too clear with my first post. Let me clarify.
1) By below average, I meant below average for that particular school.
2) While I understand that they might not make much of a difference, I was wondering if LORs might clarify an applicants ability to succeed in med school if his/her GPA is strong, but a particular subscore was weaker than the others and calls this fact into question.

At the same time, I'm curious to know what you consider an "outstanding EC"

 

[CHoge25]

@ goro - Thank you, understood. I might not have been too clear with my first post. Let me clarify.
1) By below average, I meant below average for that particular school.
2) While I understand that they might not make much of a difference, I was wondering if LORs might clarify an applicants ability to succeed in med school if his/her GPA is strong, but a particular subscore was weaker than the others and calls this fact into question.

At the same time, I'm curious to know what you consider an "outstanding EC"

Peace Corps would be one.

 

[themanthemyththelegend]

LORs usually don't help, but bad one can hurt. A collection of uniformly glowing LORs does get noted.

What I have bolded is pure fantasy. The only things that can make up for a < avg MCAT score or stats are:
URM status
Veteran status
Compelling life story
Outstanding ECs
Legacy status

BTW, Adcoms have received LORs from celebrities, Governors, Senators and Nobel laureates. They never help a marginal candidate.

Would a glowing letter from a Chief of medicine from a Top tier academic (Harvard, Penn, Etc) hospital carry weight for a student who is around the average for a school?

 

[Goro]

Not really. Doctors always say nice things about applicants.

Would a glowing letter from a Chief of medicine from a Top tier academic (Harvard, Penn, Etc) hospital carry weight for a student who is around the average for a school?

 

[themanthemyththelegend]

Not really. Doctors always say nice things about applicants.

Okay.. I did not know if someone who is directly involved in Academic Medicine would be more impactful than just a regular attending

 

[Mansamusa]

Okay.. I did not know if someone who is directly involved in Academic Medicine would be more impactful than just a regular attending

I think it would be impactful if it seems like you two have a sincere relationship and it's not just a superficial letter. Having someone well known is also good because if and adcom may know the writer

@MDhopeful324 You're going to apply to the same schools you are going to apply to anyways. Just send it and see what happens. And I'm assuming the low score was verbal? How do you want the LOR to clarify? "MDhopeful is such an eloquent speaker with masterful command of English." That would sound phony and make the whole letter sound phony. If a school won't want you because of the your MCAT, the only way to make it up is to offer something else they want. Because, in the end, there will unfortunately be enough people with the full package to fill these top school classes already. Good luck with the cycle!!!

 

[MDhopeful324]

@Mansamusa - Yes, that is the section. Correct, that does sound very phony. I meant something more along the lines of an English professor mentioning the skills tested in that section in his/her letter but doing so organically. It is not like I am telling to the professor to mention that, he/she would do so anyways without sounding fake.