Letters of recommendation| Obtaining letters of recommendation |
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Who do I need to get letters of recommendation from? Science professors, doctors you have shadowed, previous employers, research professors, and clergy members are just a few ideas. Most schools have guidelines on who they require you to obtain letters from and you should find out what those specific requirements are from all of the schools you are applying to. In general, obtaining at least one letter from a physician and a letter from two science professors is enough to satisfy the requirements of most schools.
How can I get someone to write me a good letter of recommendation? It is much better to get a letter from someone who knows you well than from someone whose name will look good in your application but hardly knows you. In order to accomplish this, you need to get to know your professors and those you will request letters from. But my ochem class has 350 students! How can I possibly get to know my professors? Visit them during office hours and ask questions. Even if you have a solid grasp on the material, find something to ask them about and make several visits to their office. Find ways to let your professor know that you have a genuine interest in what he/she is teaching. It may be awkward at first but it will pay off when your professor can write you a strong letter of recommendation rather than one that sounds like it was just a xerox copy of a hundred other letters that he/she cranked out that year or a letter that is just a few sentences long. Another word of advice is to talk to your professor early in the school year and let him/her know that you would like a letter or recommendation from them. Ask them what types of things you could do in order to help that professor write a strong letter for you. Then when it comes time to ask for the letter, question the professor as to whether or not he/she feels that they can write you a strong letter. If they feel that they can't, try to obtain a letter from a different professor.
What about getting letters of recommendation from doctors? A solid letter of recommendation from a physician can aid your application greatly. Many of the same things that will help you get a strong letter from a professor can also help you when trying to get a letter from a physician. Get to know the physician. Show interest in what he/she does for a living. Express to them why you want to become a doctor. Don't just shadow a doctor for a day and then ask for a letter a week before you submit your application. Rather, find someone who will let you shadow frequently over a long period of time. Get to know him/her well enough that they will want to help you get into medical school. One important thing to keep in mind is that professors and doctors are used to being asked for letters of recommendation so don't feel intimidated for asking. If they know you will be applying to medical school, they will be expecting your petition. Granted, not all professors and doctors enjoy writing letters for pre-meds but many, if not most of them do.
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