References

[DrHoneyBee]

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Hi, I have a question about References. I am a non-trad applicant and I have not taken classes for 3 1/2 years. I am finishing my last pre-req's in the summer and applying this summer(for 2007). My question is, who can I ask for a reference. I emailed the pre-med advisor from the college that I graduated from and asked him for a reference and he said no because he doesn't know me (which makes sense, I guess). Most of the professors I took science classes with are no longer at the school. I have a Psychology degree so I didn't take too many science classes. I have plenty of Psychology and work related references but no science professors. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

 

[njbmd]

Hi, I have a question about References. I am a non-trad applicant and I have not taken classes for 3 1/2 years. I am finishing my last pre-req's in the summer and applying this summer(for 2007). My question is, who can I ask for a reference. I emailed the pre-med advisor from the college that I graduated from and asked him for a reference and he said no because he doesn't know me (which makes sense, I guess). Most of the professors I took science classes with are no longer at the school. I have a Psychology degree so I didn't take too many science classes. I have plenty of Psychology and work related references but no science professors. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

Hi there,
You should ask your present professors for a rec letter since you are currently taking classes. You might also ask for a LOR from any physician that you shadowed. Finally, if you had a major advisor from your college or a psychology supervisor who has an advanced degree, you might also get a letter there.

Do beware that some schools will want a committee letter and may not accept LORs outside of a composite committee. You might want to check with the schools that you anticipate applying to.

Most pre-med science professors are approached for LORs and know the drill. Just be sure to provide enough information about yourself so that they can write a meaningful letter. Also, it is good if you waive examination of your LORs. If you waive reading your LORs, they tend to be considered stronger.

njbmd 🙂

 

[DrHoneyBee]

Hi there,
You should ask your present professors for a rec letter since you are currently taking classes. You might also ask for a LOR from any physician that you shadowed. Finally, if you had a major advisor from your college or a psychology supervisor who has an advanced degree, you might also get a letter there.

Do beware that some schools will want a committee letter and may not accept LORs outside of a composite committee. You might want to check with the schools that you anticipate applying to.

Most pre-med science professors are approached for LORs and know the drill. Just be sure to provide enough information about yourself so that they can write a meaningful letter. Also, it is good if you waive examination of your LORs. If you waive reading your LORs, they tend to be considered stronger.

njbmd 🙂

Thanks for the reply. I am only taking Organic Chem online (self-directed)right now and it is the first class I have taken 3 1/2 years. The first "in person" class I will take is this summer and I am applying this summer. So that means I will only have known my professor for a month before I would need a reference. Is this okay? I have plenty of non-science references but I was concerned about the 2 required science professors.
Will this look bad if I ask professors I have only known for a month?

 

[scpod]

Thanks for the reply. I am only taking Organic Chem online (self-directed)right now and it is the first class I have taken 3 1/2 years. The first "in person" class I will take is this summer and I am applying this summer. So that means I will only have known my professor for a month before I would need a reference. Is this okay? I have plenty of non-science references but I was concerned about the 2 required science professors.
Will this look bad if I ask professors I have only known for a month?

References don't become a factor until you start filling out secondary apps (unless you are applying in Texas), so you have more time than you think. Part of the whole med school application process is in getting to know your professors so that they can write LORs for you. If you have good grades and show some promise, then they are usually glad to help you out. Keep in mind, however, that some professors are extremely slow about it. You need to make an effort to get to know the pre-med advisors on your campus too. That is part of your "job" as a pre-med. Networking is something that takes place in the pre-med world just as much as it does in the business world.