Question on Letters of Recommendation

[is0632894]

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I have a question about LOR's and about MD/PhD

I am a junior at a liberal arts school and a Bio/Chem double major with a Psych minor. I am a practicing EMT and have been for 3 years now, have a decent amount of research (Honor's Research Lab, 3 Biology Research Projects, and Summer of research physician at University of Iowa). I am an Eagle Scout, carry a 3.85 cGPA and 3.75 sGPA. Have tons of volunteer hours (volunteer EMT plus several organizations within the city) I have tutored Gen Chem students for 2 years now, Executive Board Member for our Academic achievement Fraternity (Phi Eta Sigma), Student representative for Academic Policy Board for my Universty and a couple other things. I have an idea for two of my LOR's other than my professors: one from the special ed teacher from my high school (I was a special olympics coach in high school for several years and continue to keep volunteering for special olympics), and the mother of one of the kids from the Special Ed program that I had a very close relationship with. (Sorry to bog you down with details, but it may make a difference in your response).

My question about LOR's is I have 50 hours of ER Clinical time from my EMT, but no "job shadow" of a specific physician, and therefore I do not have a physician that knows me enough to write a LOR for me. Can I still go to medical school without a physician's LOR? MD or DO? I know some DO schools want a DO letter of recommendation. Will not having observation hours hurt me in my application? Or should I just ask my family physician (know decently well, I live in a small town) to write me a LOR, knowing that it isn't really going to be that great of one?

My second question is with all of this information, pending a MCAT Score, for all argumentative purposes, lets say I get a 30 (easier said than done I am aware), is this a competitive MD/PhD application? (I want to go into developmental pediatrics and do research in Down syndrome and other developmental disorders). And if it is not where is it that my app needs to improve in your opinion?

Thanks a bunch for taking time to read this essay haha!

 

[Abstractions]

I have a question about LOR's and about MD/PhD

I am a junior at a liberal arts school and a Bio/Chem double major with a Psych minor. I am a practicing EMT and have been for 3 years now, have a decent amount of research (Honor's Research Lab, 3 Biology Research Projects, and Summer of research physician at University of Iowa). I am an Eagle Scout, carry a 3.85 cGPA and 3.75 sGPA. Have tons of volunteer hours (volunteer EMT plus several organizations within the city) I have tutored Gen Chem students for 2 years now, Executive Board Member for our Academic achievement Fraternity (Phi Eta Sigma), Student representative for Academic Policy Board for my Universty and a couple other things. I have an idea for two of my LOR's other than my professors: one from the special ed teacher from my high school (I was a special olympics coach in high school for several years and continue to keep volunteering for special olympics), and the mother of one of the kids from the Special Ed program that I had a very close relationship with. (Sorry to bog you down with details, but it may make a difference in your response).

My question about LOR's is I have 50 hours of ER Clinical time from my EMT, but no "job shadow" of a specific physician, and therefore I do not have a physician that knows me enough to write a LOR for me. Can I still go to medical school without a physician's LOR? MD or DO? I know some DO schools want a DO letter of recommendation. Will not having observation hours hurt me in my application? Or should I just ask my family physician (know decently well, I live in a small town) to write me a LOR, knowing that it isn't really going to be that great of one?

My second question is with all of this information, pending a MCAT Score, for all argumentative purposes, lets say I get a 30 (easier said than done I am aware), is this a competitive MD/PhD application? (I want to go into developmental pediatrics and do research in Down syndrome and other developmental disorders). And if it is not where is it that my app needs to improve in your opinion?

Thanks a bunch for taking time to read this essay haha!

30 is not competitive for MSTP Programs (Which I'm assuming you're referring to). The general rule of thumb for MSTP is 3.8+/35+ and 2+ years of meaningful research (Where you hopefully have your own project and get posters/abstracts/papers).

 

[is0632894]

I have a couple abstracts and a few presentations but no publications, not saying that will make much of a difference, but forgot to include it.

 

[singergirl18]

MD programs do not require physician rec letters. My school does a big committee letter and for many schools, that is all I am sending. Rush in Chicago will ONLY accept my committee (or the 3 letters for students whose schools don't have them). IMO don't worry about not having a physician letter. It's much better to have STRONG letters from people who can truly attest to your abilities. Don't try to get a letter from a physician who barely knows you just to have one. I took the stance on not overdoing it with a ridiculous amount of rec letters since adcoms already read so many apps, and I already am receiving interview invites so I don't think only a committee or committee +1 is hurting me yet.

 

[singergirl18]

Also I would get some shadowing hrs. I'm like you in having tons of clinical experience, but I made sure to get some hours. I got to watch surgeries! It was awesome!

 

[mimelim]

First, peruse this for context: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letters-of-recommendation.985472/

Couple of major issues.
#1 Your goal of doing research as a clinician is not reason enough to do MD/PhD. The vast majority academic physicians have research requirements, and do varying levels of research in addition to their clinical duties. We have 12 surgeons, only one is an MD/PhD. All do research and at least 3 that I know of have dedicated research days every week built into their contracts. MD/PhD is a great track for certain people. You need to actually learn what it means rather than thinking, MD/PhD = research doctor.
#2 MD/PhD is extremely competitive and no, MCAT of 30, your LOR and your ECs don't really line up with who people typically get taken. Not to say it is impossible, just statistically quite unlikely. If you said MCAT of 36, then you'd get some looks, but you need to realize that even that may not be enough with your poverty of LOR.
#3 You did research and don't mention a PI or mentor letter. That is a bad sign. Couple to this that you have no publications. Publications are NOT required. But, in the context of research being a major EC and not having a strong letter, it will hurt, especially trying to go the MD/PhD route.
#4 How can you possibly convince me on an admissions committee that you know you want to invest the next 7 to 13 years of your life and on average 150k on becoming something that you have about a weeks worth of time witnessing?
#5 I would toss out your personal doctor's letter after a quick glance. It is next to meaningless. (see link at top of post).
#6 Including HS activities is generally not recommended. The fact that you continued it is fantastic and makes it a good idea to include. But, that does NOT mean that a high school teacher who primarily interacted with you years ago will make a good letter writer. Obviously, content of the letter is critically important to it's strength, but I would be very cautious about it.