Thanks for all the responses. I am a non-trad and a new mom. How can I get to know the professors very well? My classes are 250 students big. I can not and don't want to start research just for the sake of getting into med school. I would rather care for my baby during the day time. I can obtain glowing letters from my managers at work. Is this something I shoudl talk to the med schools about (the fact that I was out of school and have worked for 15 years)?
Thanks!
Ok-a few more hints here.
1st: look at the attachment to this response. Most schools have a spectrum of expected letters. In many cases, extra letters ("character" references from non-med or non professor) are probably not really considered as carefully. In fact, given the amount of paper that med schools have to encounter during app. season, I have heard that most schools want 10 total pages (MAX) for the recommendation section from all sources. So multiple letters from managers might not even really get included to the ADCOM.
This is why I highly recommend the pre-med committee letter. The pre-med committee will draft a 10 page letter-some of it scoring of abilities, some of it personal, and all in a easy to handle format. If you can get the pre-med committee letter, then do it! Then I would make sure to get to know the committee (chairman, and any department members). Since this is a group, just getting to know them personally is a big step (and more than usually done by most). Getting to know the committee on a personal level can help, but not replace being a good student.
2nd.) look to differentiate yourself from the 250 students. If a professor offers help sessions, go and ask pertinent questions (specifically,
DO NOT ask "do I really need to know this", "will this be on the test", "is this fair"- i.e. don't be a whiner). If the professor has a hand in the labs, make sure your labs are a little more than just cookie cutter (i.e. explain any weird results). If the class needs tutors (esp. for a class you just completed) volunteer to help out here (this will ultimately benefit you for the MCAT in any event.) Make sure to ask questions in or after class in a respectful manner.
3rd) Don't just stop at the 250 person intro classes. Do well in a couple of upper level classes and get some letters there.
4th) Many professors might appreciate it if you helped out the letter writing process. Make a special resume that they could reference. Gently offer to write your own 1st draft of a latter (make it humble, so that they could use it as a skeleton). Give the professors lots of time (don't rush them)
5th) Never complain-either to the professors, or in the PS, or in personal calls to the ADCOMS. It can't help
Finally-remember the letters are just one part of a package. If any part is substandard, then it is not good, and will hurt your application. So treat the references with the respect you treat the other sections.
