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- Feb 10, 2012
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First off, I've looked around, and it seems the magic number of letters of recommendation is around 5 letters. Most schools want 2 science faculty and 1 non-science. Some schools allow 1-2 physician letters or peer-review letters. Here's my background and situation:
Background: Non-traditional, went to grad school for a semester, was unhappy and started doing soul searching. Applied out of the blue to medical school Took next semester off since faculty knew I was having second thoughts and was thinking of medical school instead. Talked to lots of faculty, withdrew from program. Spent free time volunteering at old folks home. Didn't get interviews anywhere last cycle, probably red flag that I was still in grad program.
Situation:
I have 2 science letters, one from a research professor that I worked in his lab for class credit and another from a professor I had for undergrad and for a semester in grad school as well.
My non-science letter is from someone who teaches emergency response training. I think it falls under excercise science, but really it's the only person who taught a somewhat "non-science" class that wasn't just a graduate student.
I also have another letter from a professor in undergraduate but the research professor knows me a LOT better.
I have letters from 2 physicians, one was in a similar situation as me where he decided after being an engineer for awhile to switch and go into medicine. I've shadowed doctor A on off for almost 2 years now. The other is a general surgeon that I've shadowed only for a week, but he's a neighbor and during that time he was on call pretty much most of it. Since we're neighbor we spent that week together, if he got a call, he'd just drop by and pick me up.
I also have a letter from a peer, a graduate student that basically introduced me to research and taught me everything I know. Worked in the same lab, next to each other, jokes, fun times, etc.
My last letter is from the old folks home I've been volunteering at these past 6 months. It's not written by the person I work for though, but instead by the student volunteer coordinator who I've only met about 2 or 3 times total. She's in charge of writing all the letters for the students, so I'm not really sure how well she'll "know" me. It would be great to have a letter from the organization I've been spending so much time with, but I'm not sure how 'unique' it would be.
So which letters should I use? If you're wondering why I requested so many, it was because last cycle I had some people forget and whatnot and letters didn't make it in until almost October.
Background: Non-traditional, went to grad school for a semester, was unhappy and started doing soul searching. Applied out of the blue to medical school Took next semester off since faculty knew I was having second thoughts and was thinking of medical school instead. Talked to lots of faculty, withdrew from program. Spent free time volunteering at old folks home. Didn't get interviews anywhere last cycle, probably red flag that I was still in grad program.
Situation:
I have 2 science letters, one from a research professor that I worked in his lab for class credit and another from a professor I had for undergrad and for a semester in grad school as well.
My non-science letter is from someone who teaches emergency response training. I think it falls under excercise science, but really it's the only person who taught a somewhat "non-science" class that wasn't just a graduate student.
I also have another letter from a professor in undergraduate but the research professor knows me a LOT better.
I have letters from 2 physicians, one was in a similar situation as me where he decided after being an engineer for awhile to switch and go into medicine. I've shadowed doctor A on off for almost 2 years now. The other is a general surgeon that I've shadowed only for a week, but he's a neighbor and during that time he was on call pretty much most of it. Since we're neighbor we spent that week together, if he got a call, he'd just drop by and pick me up.
I also have a letter from a peer, a graduate student that basically introduced me to research and taught me everything I know. Worked in the same lab, next to each other, jokes, fun times, etc.
My last letter is from the old folks home I've been volunteering at these past 6 months. It's not written by the person I work for though, but instead by the student volunteer coordinator who I've only met about 2 or 3 times total. She's in charge of writing all the letters for the students, so I'm not really sure how well she'll "know" me. It would be great to have a letter from the organization I've been spending so much time with, but I'm not sure how 'unique' it would be.
So which letters should I use? If you're wondering why I requested so many, it was because last cycle I had some people forget and whatnot and letters didn't make it in until almost October.
