For first time medical school applicants--do medical schools ask for letters from the college deans (not the premed committee...but the academic dean)?
Is it required? If not, better to have one, or is it the same as a professors'?
No letters of recommendation, but the occasional odd school (washington university is the only one I know of) may ask for "Dean's certification" or something like that. It's just a form that you give to one of your deans that let's the med school know that you've been a good boy or girl. No big deal at all
If you're good friends with the dean, then I think it is very worth it. But no it is not required and if it is not a great letter, I'd stick with professors that know you well.
Yeah I would say get letters from whatever professor you know best. One of my references just happens to be the Dean, but that is only because I worked for him for a semester. If i did not know him that well, It would not be worth it to ask him.