Sending extra recommendations

Started by JohnDO
Get help with your application

Use all the free resources available to you from SDN: articles, guides, expert advising, forums discussions, and school research.

Browse articles Compare schools My application plan Read Interview Feedback
Practice for interviews Ask an Advisor
JohnDO

JohnDO

MS III
7+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Do people typically send extra recommendations to schools of their choice? Or are you supposed to 'stick to the requirements'. I ask this because I have another person I could ask that would probably write a great recommendation. He is not a professor though, but he's affiliated with an organization I'm involved with.
 
I had an instance last year when I thought my DO who was writing my letters of recommendation forgot about me. I knew he was uber busy and I was shadowing another physician around at the time. Even before I asked the 2nd physician offered to write me a kicking LOR and I gave him a list of schools too. Well, both LORs ended up going to the schools and I think it was for the best! The 2nd doctor (a surgeon) even sent me a copy of what he wrote, it was so sweet I'm keeping it in a file for reference when I'm older and a cool premedical student needs an LOR from me! Pay it forward! 🙂
 
I had the standard preprofessional healthcare committee LOR and 3 D.O. LORs. Anything above the requirements should be from physicians, MD or DO. I would stay away from DC, DPM, DPT, DDS, DMD letters but if that is all you can get b/c you live on a deserted island that has only two people, you and the podiatrist then by all means send his/her letter.
 
I thought it might be of value to have someone write about my leadership. The person is a PhD over in England. He's worked closely with me on a project for quite some time now and knows me quite well. Thanks for the advice all of you! I guess I'll call the schools and see what they say.
 
i had 9 LOR' s(MD, DO, DC, advisor, teachers..and so on) sent to teh schools all in one packet by an advisor....i wouldn't do that unless the letters are bundled
 
exia80 said:
i had 9 LOR' s(MD, DO, DC, advisor, teachers..and so on) sent to teh schools all in one packet by an advisor....i wouldn't do that unless the letters are bundled
Click to expand...

9 LOR's to each school?! damn, that's overkill. they didnt mind?
 
JohnDO said:
Do people typically send extra recommendations to schools of their choice? Or are you supposed to 'stick to the requirements'. I ask this because I have another person I could ask that would probably write a great recommendation. He is not a professor though, but he's affiliated with an organization I'm involved with.
Click to expand...

When my boyfriend applied, he sent in an extra letter of recommendation AFTER interviews to show his interest in the school. It also sort of served as an update on his application--it was from an MD. This seemed to help him.
 
JohnDO said:
Do people typically send extra recommendations to schools of their choice? Or are you supposed to 'stick to the requirements'. I ask this because I have another person I could ask that would probably write a great recommendation. He is not a professor though, but he's affiliated with an organization I'm involved with.
Click to expand...

I say call the school. It depends -- some schools like for you to stick to what they require, others don't mind reading more LORs. I graduated 4 yrs ago, so I felt my recommendations from Cal might be a little out-dated. For NYCOM, besides the usual 2 Science/1 Non-Science letters from my undergrad and the LOR from a DO, I sent it another one from a science professor whose class I took after I graduated, and another one from someone who attends NYCOM. It seemed to work! 👍
 
Do you have to use the Eval forms, with the exception of MSU. Every secondary I have gotten has them, but it is just easier for the Dr. to write a letter and send it, any other exceptions that you all know about?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.