Schools want a letter from pre-health advisor, but he barely knows me.

[EthylMethylMan]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I had my pre-health advisor as a professor during my freshman year (currently a junior), and did "eh" in his classes. (Got two B's.) A lot of the schools I'm applying to really seem to want a pre-health advisor letter of evaluation. I guess what I'm trying to ask is should I ask him for a letter even though I haven't been in touch with him for about a year? He of course has access to my transcript and can speak well of my grades (my cumulative GPA is pretty good), but not much else would likely come from it. Should I just ask anyway?

Might be helpful to add that I currently have three letters of recommendation: one from the chemistry department's laboratory supervisor (I work there as a TA and she knows me quite well academically), one from my anatomy and physiology professor of two semesters (who is also an MD), and one from the head of the emergency medicine department of the hospital that I volunteered at for two Summers (also an MD, of course). I haven't seen the latter two letters, but the first of the three (from the lab supervisor) is short, but says a decent amount.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[FijiGNR89]

Everybody runs into this situations. The advisor letter is somewhat of a formality and they are almost never the letter with the most bearing on how adcomms will see you. I, and many others, barely knew my advisor, got a letter from them, and still had a great application cycle.

 

[Barcu]

Does your school actually have a formal committee letter process or are you just thinking about adding a prehealth advisor letter?

If there is a formal process, you should do it because schools like it if that is an option. If you there is no formal process and you are wondering if you need the extra letter, I don't think you need to bother.

Do you have any letters to add that are from non-science professors? If you are looking for a letter to add, that's what you should get.

 

[BamaNicole]

I had my pre-health advisor as a professor during my freshman year (currently a junior), and did "eh" in his classes. (Got two B's.) A lot of the schools I'm applying to really seem to want a pre-health advisor letter of evaluation. I guess what I'm trying to ask is should I ask him for a letter even though I haven't been in touch with him for about a year? He of course has access to my transcript and can speak well of my grades (my cumulative GPA is pretty good), but not much else would likely come from it. Should I just ask anyway?

Might be helpful to add that I currently have three letters of recommendation: one from the chemistry department's laboratory supervisor (I work there as a TA and she knows me quite well academically), one from my anatomy and physiology professor of two semesters (who is also an MD), and one from the head of the emergency medicine department of the hospital that I volunteered at for two Summers (also an MD, of course). I haven't seen the latter two letters, but the first of the three (from the lab supervisor) is short, but says a decent amount.

Thanks for any advice!

A lot of schools are starting to want committee letters or letters from pre-health advisors.

I don't think you should overlook this and if they're asking for one then you should get one.

I actually suggest going to office hours and talking to him/her. That would allow them to get to know you. Bring your CV and/or your personal statement and ask for advice. That way they're seeing what you are doing and you're receiving help from them. Its a way for an advisor to very quickly become familiar with you and see what you'd been up to.

I hope this helps.

 

[ace12345]

Which schools are now asking for this?

I graduated a year ago and did not get a letter from a pre-health adviser, nor did I have a pre-health adviser. I have 6 other good letters, is this seriously an issue?

 

[eggs13]

Which schools are now asking for this?

I graduated a year ago and did not get a letter from a pre-health adviser, nor did I have a pre-health adviser. I have 6 other good letters, is this seriously an issue?

You're fine. Some schools want a pre health committee letter if the school offers these services. We had a pre health advisor (who helped with when to take prereqs, what to do in summers, when to take MCAT, interview help) but the career services didnt have a "committee" and didnt write letters for people so I didn't need anything from them. I ended up using letters from 2 science profs from 1 school, 1 science prof from my first school (I transferred), 1 letter from research advisor, and 2 letters from 2 MDs I shadowed but also knew for a while and could speak to my character/work ethic/etc.

 

[BamaNicole]

Which schools are now asking for this?

I graduated a year ago and did not get a letter from a pre-health adviser, nor did I have a pre-health adviser. I have 6 other good letters, is this seriously an issue?

Specifically, Vanderbilt actually asks for a pre-health advisor or committee letter if one is available.

 

[NickNaylor]

Step 1: make an appointment with your advisor to discuss your application

Step 2: don't be weird and ask questions that make it seem as if you're on the ball and know what you're doing - even if you already know the answers to those questions

Step 3: ????

Step 4: congratulations, you now know your advisor

Sent from my SGH-M919