Single LoR programs?

[HalfFull12]

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I was wondering if there were any programs that only require one academic letter of recommendation to apply for.

During my undergraduate time I wasn't very good at cultivating LoRs, it was a big school and really only had one class where I felt like I had the opportunity to get to know the professor well enough to ask for one (which I got). I now know I could have done a lot better about that but what is done is done. My stats are pretty good otherwise (36 mcat, 3.4 sGPA from a public ivy school).

So far I've seen Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine as an option.

 

[crazedpiggy]

In my opinion, you shouldn't let LOR requirements deter you from applying to certain programs... LOR's can sometimes be after-thoughts, especially if you're coming from a large university. Why contact the professor of a class you enjoyed and did very well in and see where that takes you? Also, look into getting some LOR's from other individuals at work or at EC's, shadowing, volunteering, work, etc.

 

[deleted248403]

This thread is awesome already- we've got the OP looking for the easiest way out, and someone chiming in suggesting to ignore the school's LOR requirements.

Start talking to academic folks. If it says you need 2 LORs from academics then get them, LORs from shadowing volunteering work won't meet that requirement for obvious reasons.

 

[HalfFull12]

This thread is awesome already- we've got the OP looking for the easiest way out, and someone chiming in suggesting to ignore the school's LOR requirements.

Start talking to academic folks. If it says you need 2 LORs from academics then get them, LORs from shadowing volunteering work won't meet that requirement for obvious reasons.

Yes, since my plan is to take a 1 year intensive program followed by 4 years of super easy medical school with an additional 3+ years of training I'm clearly someone who's looking for the easy way.

I made mistakes as an undergraduate, in hindsight there were many opportunities where I could have cultivated a LoR but at the time I didn't think so. But what is done is done and I graduated.

Lots of medical students needed second chances to get in. Some didn't study enough for the MCAT and did poorly. You can then learn from that experience, study better and retake it. Some didn't take enough ECs, easy enough to fix that for the next application cycle. My mistake was not sucking up to professors. Should that be a fatal mistake? I'm willing to do my time to make up for it, I just need to find the opportunity that will let me.

But anyways thanks for the advice. In return I"ll offer some of my own, patients really don't like judgmental doctors. You're going to have patients coming in for really stupid reasons, and they're embarrassed about it. If they sense at all that you're judging them about it it's going to make them very uncomfortable and make them less likely in the future to come to you about other concerns.

 

[theWUbear]

One option would be to email program admissions directors explaining your situation and stating that you look forward to creating more meaningful interactions with faculty in the future, also stating that you are willing to conduct an interview in its place if they would allow it. It's possible some will drop the requirement for you

 

[DrMidlife]

I was wondering if there were any programs that only require one academic letter of recommendation to apply for...So far I've seen Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine as an option.

I like the word "program" about as much as I like the word "postbac." (Useless words.) This is post #6 and it's still not clear whether we're talking about more undergrad, or an SMP, or DO school, or something at a DO school, or what. Your stats look med school ready, so I don't get what you're after.

So what is it you want? More letters, yes I get that, but are you saying you want to go back to school to get them? What specific (names and links please) programs looked interesting, but require more letters than you have? Aside from letters, what are you looking for in going back to school?

With that MCAT I don't understand why you're looking at DO schools for whatever reason. Are you interested in being a DO instead of an MD?

To speed things up, I think you should understand that you can take more classes anywhere, anytime. In theory, you could have all the LORs you need, by the time you need to submit MD/DO app secondaries this summer.

Also, "sucking up" is part of life. Professional relationships can absolutely make or break your career. It's never too early to figure this stuff out.

Best of luck to you.

 

[aSagacious]

Well, I'm not sure what to tell you... sometimes you just have to play the game. (I don't know, maybe the interview idea might work).

For what it's worth, though, I also think that the LoR system is a farce and should be dissolved.

If a student worked in the same lab for three years, and the PI would like to put in a good word, then I have no qualms. But when schools require X number of letters for the sake of 'character evaluation' they're begging the applicants and professors to churn out superficial cookie-cutter bullsh*t.

There is NO WAY that every qualified student in a 300 person bio/chem/physics/etc lecture could get a 'personal' letter from the professor, there's just not enough time in the day for the professor. Applicants, professors, and adcoms all know this but continue to propagate this game for reasons still unbeknownst to me.

 

[HalfFull12]

I like the word "program" about as much as I like the word "postbac." (Useless words.) This is post #6 and it's still not clear whether we're talking about more undergrad, or an SMP, or DO school, or something at a DO school, or what. Your stats look med school ready, so I don't get what you're after.

So what is it you want? More letters, yes I get that, but are you saying you want to go back to school to get them? What specific (names and links please) programs looked interesting, but require more letters than you have? Aside from letters, what are you looking for in going back to school?

With that MCAT I don't understand why you're looking at DO schools for whatever reason. Are you interested in being a DO instead of an MD?

To speed things up, I think you should understand that you can take more classes anywhere, anytime. In theory, you could have all the LORs you need, by the time you need to submit MD/DO app secondaries this summer.

Also, "sucking up" is part of life. Professional relationships can absolutely make or break your career. It's never too early to figure this stuff out.

Best of luck to you.

Sorry, I was looking at more at SMP-type situations where I would be taking advanced level courses. For going back to undergraduate school for the purpose of LoRs I was told that I wouldn't be able to get financial aid for that. I'm also not sure even with my LoRs I'd have had much of a chance at my dream MD schools but I think with a SMP I'd have a much better shot.

And yea, learning that I had to play the game and suck up was a major learning experience for me.

 

[maeii]

I'm in the same boat with the LORs. I always had a full school schedule and work and usually didn't have time to try and get to know professors, esp in classes of 300-400. I should've tried to set up a private appointment but even then, I wonder how much can a professor learn from a couple meetings