Where do I get LOR's

[aj7541]

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I have been out of school for 10+ years and have not kept in touch with any professors. It really doesn't matter because I attended a large university and I was just a number on a piece of paper. Who should I go to for LOR's? I have been a Caregiver since I graduated.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

well i assume you are planning on taking recent course work because med schools definitely need to see recent science work. 10 years out isn't going to cut it. so just get it from the instructors you are going to take recent course work from.

 

[dmf2682]

I have been out of school for 10+ years and have not kept in touch with any professors. It really doesn't matter because I attended a large university and I was just a number on a piece of paper. Who should I go to for LOR's? I have been a Caregiver since I graduated.

Get 'em from the LOR Stor 🙂

Haha I'm clever. Seriously though. What BgStok said.

 

[liveoak]

aj, i am in a relatively similar position. I took a full year off to be a family caregiver. The exhausting caregiving experience is my sole reason for pursuing medicine. If you have similar motivation, feel free to PM me.

 

[montessori2md]

Some schools require letters from professors (esp science class profs).
Many schools prefer "form letters" which are generated by someone who uses all of the letters people wrote for you, as well as your resume/CV and school transcript(s), and perhaps a conversation with you.

The starting place would likely be your alma mater. Large schools often have an academic advisor who handles this stuff. The other place would be academic advisors wherever you are taking prereqs.

I sent letters from my boss, my supervisor at my hospital volunteer position, and my organic chemistry prof.

 

[bassvp]

I was 8 years out from my pre-req coursework. I was lucky to have my OChem prof remember me after that long (although it was like pulling teeth to finally get the letter). I also was not taking any current coursework that would help me with an LOR. I tried to make my letters fit the criteria for the bigger schools, but I've been promptly rejected from most. 🙂 I'd say you need to really look into schools' letter requirements before you send in app fees anywhere. The schools whose requirements fit your personal situation are likely to be schools that are a good fit for you.

I ended up with: current boss, OChem prof, physician, pastor (but had him write only as a character reference and to speak of my volunteer experience) and a labs prof from my professional schooling.

 

[graduate2be]

You'll have to get at least two letters from science professors or one from your pre-med advisor/committee. You'll also need one from a physician (If you're going the D.O. route, you'll need one from a D.O.). Finally, getting one from a supervisor and/or someone that supervised your community service experiences would be good as well. In order to get these letters, you'll have to go back to school, take your prereqs/upper division classes and make sure you get to know several of your profs. If you haven't secured letters from physicians, see if your local hospital has a Scribe or volunteer program that you can participate in. I don't know when you'll be applying to med school, but if you have a chance, participate in AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA. You'll get 1700 hours of community service, an education award, and the chance to get several letters of rec. I'm a VISTA this year and am working with the San Francisco Department of Public Health in a primary care clinic. I'm getting to shadow physicians, do some health coaching with patients with chronic illnesses and thus far, I've gotten several M.D. LORs and an LOR from the State AmeriCorps Director.

 

[dmf2682]

graduate, is your avatar you? I like it, but abhor your stance on MSU. boo.

 

[wagmanager]

You can get one from your boss, from the director of any volunteer program, one or two doctors, then take a course or two if you have to, to get those letters too.

 

[aj7541]

Thanks for all of the replies, but I need to clarify that I have taken the MCAT and recently received my scores (35M), therefore I will not be taking any refresher courses.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

Are you planning on taking any classes? Med schools are going to wonder if you can still handle the material. If you aren't taking any classes at all, especially science, it may look pretty bad. I can't be certain as I have never tried it, but the common knowledge I have received from SDN is that you need current course work.

Also, what is your gpa. You have 4 posts and none mentions a gpa. A 35 mcat is awesome, but it isn't going to carry an application.

 

[aj7541]

My overall gpa is a 3.8 with a science gpa of 3.67. I hope that helps. Are you suggesting I take upper level classes? I have a master's in biochem.

 

[OldBat]

I suggest checking the web site of the schools you would consider attending. Some schools will accept letters from sources other then professors if you have been out of school for a while. Or e-mail the admissions office ask them if they accept LOR's from other sources. I do know UCF accepts alternative letters for nontraditional applicants.
If you have a Masters in Biochem you should have more then enough science classes.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

Are you suggesting I take upper level classes? I have a master's in biochem.

Was your MS 10 years ago or just your undergrad?

If you haven't taken science classes in 10 years, call the schools you are interested in. I thought I would have to take any science classes since prereqs don't expire where I am applying; however, when I called one of the local med schools with another question, it came up that they see a "red flag" if science courses have not been taken in recent years. (My top choice doesn't care, so they are clearly all different.)

I'm taking a couple of upper level classes in the spring as I don't want anyone to have a reason to reject me off the bat.

 

[EETTOMD]

Hello! I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a similar question regarding LORs. A lot of the post-bac programs and other evening programs where I intend to finish the remaining pre-reqs (bio and ochem), the faculty teaching the classes are not PhD holders. Will this affect me negatively when I apply to schools?

I have completed all other preq-reqs as a part of my undergrad engineering degree. I finished with a 3.7 gpa and 3.8 for my Masters. It has been a pain finding 4 year university withing commuting distance from where I live, so I wanna make sure it will be worth it. How I wish I could have taken the remaining classes at a CC and not have adcoms question my ability to handle science courses.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[stolen_biscuit]

A lot of the post-bac programs and other evening programs where I intend to finish the remaining pre-reqs (bio and ochem), the faculty teaching the classes are not PhD holders. Will this affect me negatively when I apply to schools?

I wouldn't think it matters. They are still professors who see loads of students and are able to assess your scholarly abilities/drive/interest/curiosity. Where I live, you can't throw a dead cat without hitting a Ph.D. on the head, and even then it will probably bounce off another before hitting ground. (Where on earth did that expression come from?) Even the CC courses are taught by Ph.D.s. I would hardly expect that everywhere is like this though, so I'm sure tons of science recs are from professors without doctorates.

How I wish I could have taken the remaining classes at a CC and not have adcoms question my ability to handle science courses.

Agreed!

 

[pkwraith]

When I did research on LOR, most schools give you a flexibility if they consider you non-traditional. And, by non-traditional, as defined by a certain number of years out of school. The most common number seems to be around 3 (some had as low as 2).

I was on the cusp (2.5 years), so I went with the standard requirements (science professors, etc). That was pretty damn hard. At 10 years, I would say it would be nearly impossible.

People saying you have to follow the traditional LOR requirements are wrong. If you can get LORs from your boss, community service coordinator, etc, anyone who is in position to monitor your performance and judge you on specific metrics pertaining to character and work ethics. Then, just check with the school to see if they do non-traditional LOR waivers. 10 years will easily cross the threshhold for non-traditional status, and 90% of schools will give you waivers. Your options will obviously be limited somewhat, but there are plenty of schools.

 

[Breadwinner]

How am I supposed to get Letters of Recommendation when I'm going to a public school amidst budget cuts? My classes have been combined/merged into one very large class for engineering. Going to office hours doesn't seem to do much, since there's other kids trying to get help/attention just like you are. Man, I actually feel doomed. I'm on quarter system (its really quick) so its hard for a prof to get to know anyone (assuming that they care, which many don't).

I bring this up because I was looking at my school's scholarships and often I get emails about internships and other various programs, they all seem to ask for LOR. Sadly and quite honestly, I don't see how the hell I'm supposed to get TWO (not one, but TWO) LOR for applications...Dang, I'm planning on getting involved with research (so I can do something new, and possibly get a LOR) but have yet to contact any professors, but even then, that's only ONE LOR, I don't see how I can get a second LOR. Perhaps, two research projects during undergrad? You're all probably saying, "Just be nice and ask during Office Hours!". The thing is I don't want some crap/mediocre LOR. A prof told a story of a kid who asked for a LOR, and the end result was a letter saying something along the lines of, "I don't know who this person is, and I don't know why they asked me for a LOR." =(

 

[stolen_biscuit]

How am I supposed to get Letters of Recommendation when I'm going to a public school amidst budget cuts? My classes have been combined/merged into one very large class for engineering. Going to office hours doesn't seem to do much, since there's other kids trying to get help/attention just like you are. Man, I actually feel doomed. I'm on quarter system (its really quick) so its hard for a prof to get to know anyone (assuming that they care, which many don't).

I bring this up because I was looking at my school's scholarships and often I get emails about internships and other various programs, they all seem to ask for LOR. Sadly and quite honestly, I don't see how the hell I'm supposed to get TWO (not one, but TWO) LOR for applications...Dang, I'm planning on getting involved with research (so I can do something new, and possibly get a LOR) but have yet to contact any professors, but even then, that's only ONE LOR, I don't see how I can get a second LOR. Perhaps, two research projects during undergrad? You're all probably saying, "Just be nice and ask during Office Hours!". The thing is I don't want some crap/mediocre LOR. A prof told a story of a kid who asked for a LOR, and the end result was a letter saying something along the lines of, "I don't know who this person is, and I don't know why they asked me for a LOR." =(

I can't help, but I feel you! I am non-trad who's not looking forward to meeting profs and asking for LORs all at the same time when I take a couple of upper-levels next semester. I can't help but feel that it's no worse a situation, however, than I would have had in undergrad. Like you, all my classes were lecture-hall style (except for the basics, which were in 2-level auditoriums!). I worked for one prof, and that's the only reason I knew anyone.

Good luck! I really wish more schools found value in supervisors/volunteer coordinators/etc. They know of you and your motivation on a much more personal level. Really, the grades speak for themselves in a science class.