Regarding Letters of Recommendation

[Svenson]

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Hi all,

I recently completed my committee interview to compile my letters of recommendation for medical school. I have letters from:

1. An instructor I TA'd for during a leadership and service seminar
2. Organic chemistry professor
3. PI
4. Physical chemistry professor
5. Humanities professor

The person who was interviewing me mentioned I SHOULD have a letter from someone in my major department (biochemistry). Additionally, I was talking to a friend who mentioned some schools require two letters from science professors in different departments.

Will I be okay with my committee letter? Do I need a letter from someone in my major department, or from two science professors of different departments (my PI is from biology, but he didn't "teach me")? Doesn't having the committee letter trump all other LOR requirements? Are there any schools which do not use the committee letters? I am stressing a little, because I am about to graduate in May and don't have anyone in mind to turn to.

Thanks!

 

[mimelim]

It is a little odd to not have letters from people in your department, but it is hard to imagine anyone really noticing, especially if you have otherwise strong letters. I haven't heard of schools requiring letters from different departments. Doesn't mean that it doesn't exist or isn't new, just haven't heard of it and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

 

[Svenson]

Thank you for the feedback. I actually don't have any from the biochemistry department at my school, because all of the biochemistry classes are taught by about four professors each, and I felt the lack of time to get to know them would result in a mediocre letter. I would appreciate any other advice others have to offer as well.

 

[tantacles]

Thank you for the feedback. I actually don't have any from the biochemistry department at my school, because all of the biochemistry classes are taught by about four professors each, and I felt the lack of time to get to know them would result in a mediocre letter. I would appreciate any other advice others have to offer as well.

Doesn't matter. If your letters are stellar, it shouldn't make a difference.

 

[BearAttack]

I would say you're fine. I think your instincts about not begging a biochem letter were good - you don't want a lackluster letter. Both your P-chem or O-chem letters are from courses that were required for your biochem degree and will work just fine for a "department" letter. Both courses are "hardcore" and hard science and speak to your degree in biochemistry.

(FWIW, I was a biochem major and my letters were from my Gen Chem/P-chem prof (had her for both classes), a general biology prof, and a humanities professor. I think I also got one from my employer but I don't think many schools requested that one. My undergrad institution did not provide committee letters).

Assuming all your letters are equally strong (which only you would know), I would round out your 3-4 letters with the one from your PI and one from your humanities course. Get the committee letter, but only send it to schools that require committee letters.

Good luck!

 

[Svenson]

Get the committee letter, but only send it to schools that require committee letters.

Thanks both of you for the advice. Are you saying I should not use committee letters for schools which do not require them?

 

[gyngyn]

A committee letter is sufficient and preferable, if available.

 

[Svenson]

That's what I figured, thanks. I've already had the committee interview, so my letter should be available soon.