Who should you ask for letters of recommendations??

[informme]

I was wondering what kind of people would be great to ask for letters of recommendation from...

-I have a couple people I volunteer for at the hospital, that I am sure I can get once in a lifetime recommendations (all secretaries at the MICU though)

-I have a professor that I worked together to start a asian percussion club with, he is a music professor that I'm sure can give me a stellar recommendation.

-I have 2 biology professors that i am not so familiar with. But I believe they are nice enough to give me good recommendation letters. =(



Basically, my question is what are the limits of prestiege/medical relevance that a person must be within to be able to give a recommendation that will be seriously considered??

Also, atleast how familiar should you be with that person on a scale of 1-10 (1 is strangers and 10 is buddies)

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[URHere]

In general, you will need LORs from two science faculty and one non-science faculty - you could add 1-2 additional letters if you wish. (These requirements vary from school to school, but if you follow this guideline, you should be safe just about anywhere).

In my opinion, this is the scale of preference for faculty:

1) A faculty member you have done research with.
2) A faculty member who serves as your academic advisor.
3) A faculty member you have TAed for.
4) A faculty member you have taken multiple courses with.
5) A faculty member who teaches a class you did well in.
6) A faculty member who would recognize you, and respond favorably.
7) A faculty member who would recognize you, and not cringe.

If no one fits description #1, move on to the next item on the scale.

As for additional letters, there is a benefit to the writer having an MD or a PhD behind his/her name. I couldn't tell you how strong that benefit is, but I would suggest going as far as you can up the chain of command (while still landing a good LOR). You don't have to be buddies, but your LOR writer should know you well enough to trust and respect you...and that isn't usually the case with a stranger.

 

[Stratego]

That is a great list, URHere.

Some schools or pre-med committees might may ask for a peer letter, volunteer coordinator letter, or physician letter. Nontrads might use an employer letter.

If a letter writer doesn't know you well, it's good to schedule a meeting with them where you come armed with your CV, a copy of your Primary Statement, a photo, and a copy of your transcript. At the meeting remind them of significant interactions you've had and how well you did in their class. Chit chat is important so they can get a feel for your personality and an interest in supporting your candidacy for a medical profession. Then ask them if they could write you a strongly supportive letter. If they hem and haw, don't use it.

 

[TexasPhysician]

Not only a benefit, I would argue that every letter SHOULD be written from someone with an MD or PhD. Anyone can get a strong letter of recommendation from somebody, but if that somebody doesn't know what it takes to complete a rigorous graduate school program, their opinion doesn't matter in my opinion.

 

[LAman10]

get one from your parents, as they know you best and can attest to a lifetime of excellence. also get one from your best friend, which will vouch for your social interactions. Additionally, one from your roommate (if he/she doesn't hate you) might help too. Good luck!

 

[LAman10]

Not only a benefit, I would argue that every letter SHOULD be written from someone with an MD or PhD. Anyone can get a strong letter of recommendation from somebody, but if that somebody doesn't know what it takes to complete a rigorous graduate school program, their opinion doesn't matter in my opinion.

yeah if you're tight with Bill Gates or something, def DONT get it from him; doesn't even have a college degree. Honestly WAY too much emphasis is placed on the whole MD and PhD thing. they don't NEED to be an MD or PhD. Sometimes universities will hire people with masters degrees or MPHs. In fact, I got one from an MPH. She's very highly regarded (prob among the highest paid) at my school, and probably wrote my strongest recommendation. If the university deems them worthy enough to higher, then their opinion matters to me.

 

[Poliscidoc]

yeah if you're tight with Bill Gates or something, def DONT get it from him; doesn't even have a college degree. Honestly WAY too much emphasis is placed on the whole MD and PhD thing. they don't NEED to be an MD or PhD. Sometimes universities will hire people with masters degrees or MPHs. In fact, I got one from an MPH. She's very highly regarded (prob among the highest paid) at my school, and probably wrote my strongest recommendation. If the university deems them worthy enough to higher, then their opinion matters to me.

Well put Sir

 

[Gogogirl]

hey,guys..just wondering should I get a letter from a doctor who I dont know so well but shadowed for few times, or should I get a letter from a head nurse who I know well and work well together for 2 years???...what do you think???

 

[standly]

I am thinking of taking a course with a "Lecturer", not quite a professor, but someone with PhD (so not a teaching assistant) in a humanities course. I'm considering getting my non-science LOR from him because it's a small class and I'll really get to know him. Would this qualify as a valid letter of recommendation since he isn't really a professor? If you've been in this position and have contacted schools about this, let me know what schools will take it and what schools won't. Thanks!

 

[schrizto]

-I have a couple people I volunteer for at the hospital, that I am sure I can get once in a lifetime recommendations (all secretaries at the MICU though)

I don't know if a recommendation letter from a secretary would be that effective, and even if they raved about how amazing you are it wouldn't be a "once in a lifetime recommendation". Doesn't a secretary usually handle paperwork and administrative duties, unless those at the MICU do other things in addition to that? Better off having a nurse or a doctor who works in the MICU attest to your dedication in volunteering.

 

[schrizto]

hey,guys..just wondering should I get a letter from a doctor who I dont know so well but shadowed for few times, or should I get a letter from a head nurse who I know well and work well together for 2 years???...what do you think???

I would go with the second one. The doctor recommendation doesn't have much room to talk about qualities that you have. In shadowing, you pretty much follow the doctor around and observe, and avoid getting in the way of anything (which anyone can do).

 

[Confuddled]

get one from your parents, as they know you best and can attest to a lifetime of excellence. also get one from your best friend, which will vouch for your social interactions. Additionally, one from your roommate (if he/she doesn't hate you) might help too. Good luck!

Wait, I can't tell if this post was sarcastic or not. Are we really allowed to submit LORs from parents and friends?

 

[muhali3]

Wait, I can't tell if this post was sarcastic or not. Are we really allowed to submit LORs from parents and friends?

he was being sarcastic

 

[randombetch]

In general, you will need LORs from two science faculty and one non-science faculty - you could add 1-2 additional letters if you wish. (These requirements vary from school to school, but if you follow this guideline, you should be safe just about anywhere).

In my opinion, this is the scale of preference for faculty:

1) A faculty member you have done research with.
2) A faculty member who serves as your academic advisor.
3) A faculty member you have TAed for.
4) A faculty member you have taken multiple courses with.
5) A faculty member who teaches a class you did well in.
6) A faculty member who would recognize you, and respond favorably.
7) A faculty member who would recognize you, and not cringe.

If no one fits description #1, move on to the next item on the scale.

As for additional letters, there is a benefit to the writer having an MD or a PhD behind his/her name. I couldn't tell you how strong that benefit is, but I would suggest going as far as you can up the chain of command (while still landing a good LOR). You don't have to be buddies, but your LOR writer should know you well enough to trust and respect you...and that isn't usually the case with a stranger.

Academic advisers count?? I had no idea.

 

[aidylwise]

When one says "science" faculty, does it mean bio, chem, phys, etc.? or can it be things like fluid mechanics, biomechanics, biomaterials etc.? thanks.

 

[BeastfromthEast]

sorry im going to have to recycle this thread. 🙂

instead of asking a professor for a recommendation about the time to apply to med schools, could i just ask for a rec right after i finish his class/research/etc? so his memory of my performance/attitude/etc is fresh in his mind when he writes the rec? and when its time to apply a few years later i can use his rec?

or is that too weird?