rec letter - "worse and related" subject or "better and unrelated"??

[baller99]

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whats your view of this? I can get a rec letter from a teacher who doesn't remember me too much, but its in a related subject (e.g. took histology in college but applying to a pathology internship)?

Or should I get the rec letter from a person who I did research with but in an unrelated subject (e.g. genetic research)? Or something in between??

 

[cpants]

whats your view of this? I can get a rec letter from a teacher who doesn't remember me too much, but its in a related subject (e.g. took histology in college but applying to a pathology internship)?

Or should I get the rec letter from a person who I did research with but in an unrelated subject (e.g. genetic research)? Or something in between??

Uh, you shouldn't be getting a letter from an undergrad professor, period. A letter from a research PI is good, and then you should have some letters from med school professors and attendings.

 

[OveractiveBrain]

Pretty sure he's in the wrong forum, applying to medical school. He's Pre-med...

 

[lockjaw]

Pretty sure he's in the wrong forum, applying to medical school. He's Pre-med...

No, it looks like he's an MS-1 applying for a research position. I'd get the letter from someone who remembers you more, and can therefore write a more personal letter about your abilities.

 

[baller99]

yes sorry about the confusion, i'm an MS1 applying for a research position. i need 2 letters of rec, and i already have 1 from a research PI. the people in charge of the position just want "academic" references, and don't care if its from undergrad.

based on the responses, it looks like i'll try a teacher who is in a vaguely related field to the internship i'm trying for who knows me a little better than the teacher who is in the same field as the internship I'm going for. unless there are other ideas?

 

[cpants]

yes sorry about the confusion, i'm an MS1 applying for a research position. i need 2 letters of rec, and i already have 1 from a research PI. the people in charge of the position just want "academic" references, and don't care if its from undergrad.

based on the responses, it looks like i'll try a teacher who is in a vaguely related field to the internship i'm trying for who knows me a little better than the teacher who is in the same field as the internship I'm going for. unless there are other ideas?

Yes, better for recommenders to know you well than to be in a certain field...in most cases.

 

[exptherainbow]

Using a letter from an undergraduate professor now that you're in medical school implies that you haven't formed any relationships with professors in medical school and I'd be hesitant to do it. Although, since you haven't been in medical school for very long it might be acceptable?

Everyone is expected to take some type of histology in medical school so I don't think any committee will be terribly impressed by a letter from a person who taught you histology but otherwise had no means to judge your competence/character.

 

[mrjohndaniels]

Get it from the person you did research with. It will be a much better letter. Letters from professors who only know you through a lecture or even a small group class don't tell anyone anything. They usually focus on your grade, where that placed you in the class, and whether or not they think it was a good grade. The comments are usually lukewarm and sometimes they say "so and so also came in a few times outside of class." Even if you think you were developing a relationship by going to office hours, chances are they don't remember any of it.

The person you did research with is much more familiar with your skills and can write a more meaningful letter, even if it's in an unrelated field.

Histology isn't the same as pathology. They are intimately related, but doing well in a histology class will not make you a good path researcher. Doing well in research (whatever it is) is more likely to mean you will be a good pathology researcher. Pathology can include genetics too depending on what area you're studying.