Specific Rec. Question

[noy]

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I have a question about how many LOR's are enough for MSTP, esp when they say 'get a letter from every research experience'. How serious are they about this for short experiences, or one you have just started? I have 2 such research experiences, and am in a 3rd experience now.

I want to send out secondaries ASAP - like next week. BUT, I'm not done with this summer research project yet, which is one that I have listed (on AMCAS), and harp on a decent amount on the MD/PhD apps, as it is a clinical/research experience that has shown me a lot (Thank you St. Jude)...

I have been here all of 10 weeks, and have a decent relationship with my mentor, who is a PhD researcher... He is a nice guy, and a good scientist, but his social skills, are, how shall we say, lacking... I have asked him to write me a letter, and he is willing, but I question how well I know him...And his ability to communicate how he feels about my skills may come through in a weak letter, which I feel would put a significant damper on my application.

Currently, I have two letters from previous experiences, both of which are VERY strong (I have seen them, and heard so from my premed advisor), both of which knew me well in a research capacity. [I of couse have the other letters from faculty/volunteer stuff as well.]

Any advice on whether to go with this third one? Just 'leave it out', and if they ask, keep some on hand to send out? Or perhaps say 'he hasn't known me that long', and bank on the other letters? Or include it (it would make a 6th or 7th letter), and risk the potential damage if it isn't good? I don't see how another strong letter could further boost the application from that angle... For this reason I am thinking of leaving his name out completely on applications where they just say 'who will support your MSTP side of the app'. Or will it be a glaring ommision if I talk about the research I did here often and at detail and have no letter?

Thanks! I appreciate all the time everyone here takes to read stranger's questions and help them out. It means a lot to us folks going through this.

[And I will sign off to waive rights, and will not do anything surreptitious to see the contents, if he wants to show me, he can, but I wont try to get a copy for myself.]

 

[ninebillion]

I've got a year before I begin this process (and the MCAT is this Saturday, yikes), but I do have a suggestion for you. One of the veteran posters on this forum can probably agree/disagree with this:

Since you mentioned that you are writing heavily about your St. Jude's experience in your essays, it would probably be wise to include a letter from that mentor. What you can do to "help" your mentor (and thus yourself) with the letter is to provide him with a sort of "personal statement" tailored to your experience this summer. For instance:

"Dear Dr. X, Working in your lab this summer has provided me with the opportunity to hone my ability to tackle scientific conundra from numerous angles, and I feel that I have become a more fulfilled researcher as a result. My contribution to the lab, however small it may be in the scheme of things, nonetheless seems significant in my eyes. I have found that enzyme A can be turned off in condition B, and this will undoubtedly play a part in further inquiries your lab will pursue..."

Anyway, you get the idea.

When your mentor gets ready to write your letter of recommendation, he can just refer to your statement and glean some inspiration from it. While it doesn't guarantee a stellar letter, it does give you some modicum of control over the process.

Good luck!

 

[Sonya]

If they ask from all profs, i would definetly give from all profs you did research under. Because, you don't want to look like you are hiding information.
Six letters is fine. 7 is a lot, but, give what they ask for.

that being said, you could also ask the specific schools if it okay not to give from so and so prof because you have not had a chance to get to know him well. But, only if the school says it ok, then you could ommit it.

The previous posters idea sounds good. Don't make it look like you're writing the letter though, give information. Do NOT send a sample letter or recommendation (unless he asks for it, or you could suggest and he could accept). Make it more like an essay.

Sonya