Letters of recommendation from medical schools are often underestimated. Not giving your letters the respect and attention they deserve is extremely detrimental to your application and could mean the difference between acceptance or rejection.
Recommendation letters are vital to an effective and successful medical school application. They convey a respected professional's opinion of you, as opposed to your own claims or the opinion of a biased friend or relative. A quality letter from a professor at an academic institution or someone who works with extracurricular students carries a lot of weight.
Letters of recommendation provide an unbiased summary of your unique skills as a qualified professional - so they make a big impact on admissions committees.
Learn why letters of recommendation are important, how to request them, and common mistakes to avoid. In this post, we cover the why, who, what, where, when, and how of recommendation letters.
Application via TMDSAS or AACOMAS? We dedicate a guideLetter of Recommendation TMDSASEAACOMAS Letter of Recommendation.
Why Recommendation Letters Are So Important
Letters of recommendation are an essential part of applying to medical school. Some argue that they are even more important than personal testimony because personal testimony is naturally biased. After all, a personal statement is about showing yourself in the best possible light.
Read our freeStep-by-Step Guide: How to Write a Personal Statement for Medical Schoolfor tips on getting started, what to include, and common mistakes to avoid.
On the other hand, recommendation letters are written by respected professionals such as mentors, professors and doctors. An admissions committee will likely take your word for it. If the person you're asking to write your letter of recommendation has worked closely with you and speaks highly of you, that's a big deal.
A negative letter of recommendation is a big problem. A bad or lukewarm letter of recommendation can do irreparable damage to your application. You need to approach this process with a lot of organization beforehand, making sure you choose your letters wisely.
Who should ask for letters of recommendation
You must add a total of four to five letters to your medical studies application.
Three of these must be academic letters written by graduate professors – two academic letters and one non-academic letter. The remaining two letters come from your extracurricular activities, usually research and clinical experience.
While it may be tempting to get a respected and recognizable name to write your letters to, it is far more important that you choose someone who knows you well and thinks highly of you. If you've only had a few conversations with the person asking you to write your letter, it won't be effective. They simply won't have much to say about you and they can't offer much information about who you really are.
Choose someone who can speak to your strengths on a deep level. The letter will have a much greater impact on the admissions committee.
Use our framework to maximize your chances of success:How to Select Letters of Recommendation for Medical Schools.
What You Should Provide Testimonial Writers
The people asking you to write a letter are busy with their own careers and lives. It's up to you to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. To do this, you need to provide a number of key elements.
- shipping instructions— Provide your letter of recommendation writers with all the information they need to submit your letter to the mailing service. Usually this is theAMCAS Briefdienst(For schools of allopathic medicine.) The author of the letter will not mail the letter to you; You must submit it directly to the service. Provide the letter writer with a letter request form available from the main menu in the Letter of Review section. This form is a PDF file generated in the AMCAS application for each of the designated letter writers and will contain your mailing address, AAMC ID, letter ID, and information on how to submit letters to AMCAS. The Letter ID is a unique seven-digit code assigned to each letter entry in your AMCAS application. It must be made available to each letter author to correctly match the letter to the letter entry you created in your application.
- updated CV—A comprehensive, organized, and professional summary of your academic, professional, and extracurricular accomplishments to date.If you need help creating your resume, consider ourconsulting services.
- Performance overview.
- Personal opinion-When available. Ideally, at the time of requesting a letter, you should have at least a first draft of your personal transcript, but you can request academic letters at the beginning of your studies. If you don't already have a draft, write a brief summary of why you are studying medicine, including what makes you a unique and qualified candidate.
- MCAT score— This should be included on your resume, but it's possible the letter writer will ask for a more verifiable source, such as B. a printout of the score. If you haven't taken the MCAT yet, don't hesitate to ask for a letter just because you don't have your MCAT score yet.
- final term— Put the date in writing, either by email or printed using the materials you provide to the author of the letter. Make sure the date is at least a week before you actually need to deliver the letter. We recommend that letter writers allow six to eight weeks to complete the letter after receiving the materials listed above. This means that it's important to start the process two to three months before submitting your application.
- A printed copy of the Materials—While the LOR submission process is completely digital, you may have letter writers who prefer to read and review physical materials. Ask if they would like you to provide a printed package with all of the above or send it in the mail. It's up to you to make this process as easy as possible for them, and a new light-colored envelope with all your materials and shipping information is a nice touch for those less digitally inclined.
Where – Order letters of recommendation virtually
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may not be possible to request a letter of recommendation in person, which means you will need to request a letter via email or possibly Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc. While this might not seem as personal as you intended, we all need to adapt to our new virtual world.
Virtual meetings are our new normal, so it's important to build relationships with potential letter writers and mentors online. A mentor can be someone you've worked with, someone you've met through a mutual connection, or you can find one through professional networks like LinkedIn.
For more advice on how to build relationships with mentors and letter writers, see our article:Connect with mentors via Zoom.
When to ask for letters of recommendation
Think through your recommendation letters as early as possible. It will take time to figure out who to ask and even longer to build strong relationships. If you're thinking about someone, they might not have the time or feel like they don't know you well enough, so make sure you have a back-up plan and allow extra time in case a letter is sent.
Ask at the end of your time together or right after the end of a class. Don't wait months or years. You want the letter writer to think of you so he can write a real letter full of new enthusiasm.
How to request letters of recommendation
If you are requesting a letter of recommendation virtually, you can use our sample request template. Be sure to personalize the request with a sentence or two about your relationship. This could include involvement in your class/organization, the time you spent collaborating, what you enjoyed or learned, or how they inspired you.
1 | Think about your cards in advance
Recommendation letters can make or break your medical school application. Who you ask can make all the difference. Approach relationships with professors and mentors with the idea that they can be one of your letters of recommendation.
2 | Work on building strong relationships
Relationships take time. Keep your relationships with potential teachers and mentors as early as possible and mark on a calendar how often you contact them. Share your goals and achievements with them so they can clearly see your progress and watch you grow. Express your gratitude and help them however you can. After all, relationships are a two-way street.
If face-to-face office hours are difficult, plan carefullyvirtual meetings. You still need to build strong relationships, even if you can't meet in person.
3 | Only ask people who will give you a strong card
This is crucial. If you don't know a professor very well, or you got an A in his class, don't ask the professor for a letter. Ask someone you've worked closely with, who knows you well and thinks highly of you.
If the person you're asking hesitates, don't follow up with the letter. Her hesitation is a sign that she doesn't know you well enough, doesn't have anything positive to say, or just doesn't have the time. It's better to catch these hesitations early than to end up with a late or lukewarm letter.
More tips:How to Get Strong Medical School Recommendation Letters.
4 | Make the process as easy as possible
Provide all the necessary materials to make writing and sending the letter as smooth as possible. Check the section above to see what you need to provide, and ask ahead of time if they need anything else.
5 | Provide a deadline to ensure you receive letters on time.
The best letter in the world doesn't matter if it's late. Provide a clear deadline to ensure you get your letters on time.
Give your copywriters as much time as possible, as they are very busy and have likely received many more requests. We recommend two to three months. Set a reminder two weeks after the due date.
Check out our advice for more tipsHow to ask for letters of recommendation for medical schools.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoid the following common mistakes when writing a letter of recommendation.
- Ask someone who doesn't know you well.
- Asking for a letter if you haven't prepared fully.
- Forgot to provide the author with the necessary materials.
- Asking people who don't know you well enough to give you real insight into who you are.
- It did not receive a large number of letters in scientific, non-scientific and extracurricular subjects.
- Ask the teacher of a class you took an A-in.
- Being overly friendly or unprofessional when asking for a letter.
- Waiting a long time after working with someone to ask for a letter.
- I received a letter from someone who hesitated when you asked.
- Don't think about letters of recommendation early on in your application preparation.
Letters of Recommendation FAQs
How many letters of recommendation do I need?
Medical school recommendation letter requirements vary from school to school. Most schools require at least three letters, but some require four or five. Be sure to check the specific requirements for each school you want to apply to.
As the number varies by school, we recommend that all applicants complete four to five letters of recommendation, distributed among science teachers, non-science teachers, and extracurricular institutions.
How many letters of recommendation are needed for medical school?
How to send letters of recommendation?
Writers of your letters should send their letters electronically through theAplicativo AMCAS Letter Writerorintercalate. You do not review or submit your own letters of recommendation.
You must provide each of your letter writers with shipping information, including your AAMC ID and a unique seven-digit letter ID. Each letter writer is assigned an individual letter ID when you add them to your AMCAS application, which is needed to upload your letters.
If you are submitting through multiple services, AMCAS, TMDSAS, AACOMAS, etc., Interfolio acts as an intermediary so authors only have to submit once. You will still need your unique seven-digit letter ID so that your letter can match your application. there is a smallAnnual fee to use Interfolio's file delivery service.
Letters sent via either process are marked as received - immediately on AMCAS or within three days on Interfolio. Contact the writer of the letter and ask them to resend the letter if a letter has not been marked as received by the specified time.
When are letters of recommendation due?
Include your letters with your medical school application. You can also add letters of recommendation until you submit your second application, but don't hesitate. They are a key element of your application that should not be left to the last minute. It takes time to order letters, and you should give the letter writer enough time to complete it.
Secondary applications must be submitted between July and January, but it is best to submit yours with your letters by the end of the summer.
Read ourMedical school enrollment scheduleto ensure you plan ahead and don't miss important deadlines.
What if the letter writer doesn't make a recommendation?
If a letter is not marked as received through the electronic portal you are using, contact the author of the letter and ask them to resend the letter.
In rare cases, it may happen that the author of the letter disappears or no longer responds. You are human too and emergencies happen. That's why it's so important that you schedule more letters than you need for your application.
What if a potential letter writer says no?
If a potential letter writer says no, it means he feels he doesn't know you well enough, is already being overwhelmed with other requests, or doesn't trust you. Whatever the reason, it's important to move on and look for another option.
Even if you hesitate to say yes, it might be better to find someone else. A bad or even lukewarm letter can jeopardize an excellent medical school application.
Who but teachers can write a letter?
You must have letters from two science teachers and one non-science teacher. In addition to faculty, you can ask a research IP or mentor, a physician you mentored or worked closely with, or a volunteer supervisor.
You can also ask an AT or employer for a letter of recommendation if they know you better than your other options. The most important thing is that you choose letter writers that you know very well and that you rate well.
Are extracurricular letters necessary?
Although not mandatory, we recommend obtaining letters of recommendation from particularly significant extracurricular study programs. This may include research mentors or principal investigators (PI), accompanying physicians, or executives from other voluntary organizations. If necessary, try to get a letter from each of your three most important activities on your AMCAS.
Who shouldn't recommend me?
Don't ask someone who is positively biased towards you, like B. a friend or family member. Your letters should come from people who can give an honest and unbiased recommendation.
If the person you're asking is hesitant or seems unenthusiastic about sending a letter of recommendation on your behalf, take your time; find someone else in your place. A bad or even neutral letter can jeopardize an excellent medical school application.
Can I add more letters after I submit my application?
Yes, you can add additional letters after your application has been submitted, but you cannot delete or change letters submitted by their authors.
While you can add letters of recommendation after submitting your application, we don't recommend it. Strong letters take time, so give your writers as much time as possible to create thoughtful, detailed letters. You should choose four to five strong letter writers - more won't increase your chances, but may dilute your positive recommendations with less strong ones.
What types of letters does AMCAS accept?
AMCAS accepts committee letters, packets, and individual letters. Committee letters are written by a pre-health committee, or pre-health consultant, who is an evaluation of you by your institution. A letter pack is a series of letters put together by your institution, usually with a cover page from your committee or health advisor. Individual letters are written by a letter writer and represent the opinions of a letter writer. All three fonts count as one font entry.
Can I see my letter of recommendation?
Recommendation letters are sent confidentially and cannot be viewed. Don't ask copywriters what they wrote, as they are under no obligation to show you. You must be absolutely confident that the person you are asking knows you well and speaks highly of you.
How should I thank letter writers?
Don't forget the letter writers once the application is submitted. Send a thank you email as soon as they send the letter, and consider sending them a handwritten card if you are accepted to medical school.
Get help from professionals
medical school membersoffersComprehensive admission packages for medical schoolsto help you through every step of the application process. Our medical staff have years of experience serving on admissions committees, so you'll get important information from people who were intimately involved in the selection process.
Read ourGuide to understanding the medical school application process, which includes an application schedule, what to include in your application, mistakes to avoid, and what happens next.
FAQs
Who to get med school recs from? ›
Current professors and doctors with whom you work or volunteer are your best choices. But former professors and doctors with whom you've worked in the past are fine, too. (If you're applying to osteopathic schools, you must have a letter from a DO.)
How do you write a strong medical school recommendation letter? ›The letter must outline why you would be a good doctor, your professional strengths, your passion for medicine, and any other memorable skills and characteristics that make you stand out. For example, if a physician observed your excellent interactions with patients, this should be mentioned in the letter.
Which professors to ask for letters of recommendation for medical school? ›- Science professor 1 whose class you took for a letter grade.
- Science professor 2 whose class you took for a letter grade.
- Non-science professor whose class you took for a letter grade.
- A professional—preferably a physician—who has observed you providing patient care.
Federal law stipulates that students can see letters of recommendation unless they waive their right in advance. The student's decision as to whether your letter will be confidential or non-confidential will be designated on the form he or she gives to you. Most students choose to waive their right.
Is 6 letters of recommendation too many for medical school? ›Medical schools usually require at least three recommendation letters from applicants. Some may ask for four or five, so check this information with the school you apply to. Don't forget that some medical schools are very strict about their numbers.
Can I ask a graduate student for a letter of recommendation med school? ›Yes, a TA – even if the TA is a graduate student – can write your med school letter of recommendation. We would recommend only one of your letters be from a TA or grad student, though. Most of the time, the TA will write the letter in conjunction with the main professor of the class.
Is 5 letters of recommendation too much medical school? ›Typically, medical schools require at least 2-3 letters of recommendation, however, there's usually no cap to how many you can provide. Generally speaking, you should aim for at least three strong letters of recommendation, and any more that you can secure are even better.
What are the buzzwords in a letter of recommendation? ›- Honored. Honored is an impactful word that gives an impression of an individual who is dignified and respected. ...
- Pleased. ...
- Delighted. ...
- Acquainted. ...
- Dependable. ...
- Intelligent. ...
- Valuable asset. ...
- Genuine.
You can receive up to 10 letters of recommendation in AMCAS and pick and choose which ones you forward to medical schools later. It's much better to have too many letters than too few. Ask for letters of recommendation early.
Who is the best type of faculty member to write a recommendation letter? ›Junior year teachers are typically the best choice for recommenders, because they had you recently and for a whole year. Senior year teachers likely don't know you that well yet, and freshman and sophomore year teachers are not very recent.
Who is the best person to ask for a letter of recommendation for grad school? ›
It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically. Faculty members most commonly write letters of recommendation; however, other professionals who know you well and have supervised your work in academia or research may also be appropriate choices.
Should I waive my right to see letters of recommendation medical school? ›Generally speaking, waiving your right to view your letters of recommendation is ideal. While you can retain the right to view them, many admissions officers consider waiving the right as more honest.
Who should you not ask for a letter of recommendation? ›Don't ask a family member or a friend for a recommendation as a college may not take them seriously. You should always follow the guidelines from the colleges you are applying to when choosing who to write your letter of recommendation.
Who should not be asked to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf? ›Avoid recommendation letters from well-known or influential people who don't know you well or personally. Having someone write on your behalf just because they are “cool” or impressive doesn't boost your application; it can actually hurt it.
Can a mentor write a letter of recommendation for medical school? ›On the other hand, letters of recommendation are written by respected professionals, such as mentors, professors, and physicians. An admissions committee is very likely going to take their word over yours.
How many C's are acceptable for med school? ›In general, pre-med students are advised to retake courses in which they have earned a 'C. ' In reality, one or two 'C's will not rule out medical school for anyone, especially for otherwise high-achieving students.
How many recommendation letters for Johns Hopkins? ›What types and how many letters of recommendation are required? We require a Committee Letter or, if your school does not have one, three (3) individual letters: Two (2) letters of recommendation from science faculty. One (1) letter from non-science faculty.
How many publications does the average med school applicant have? ›In 2018, the average number of publications, presentations, and abstracts in U.S. graduates who matched into fellowship was 8.8 while unmatched applicants had an average of 8.2 (5). Students can gain valuable skills and knowledge when performing medical research and earning publications.
How to get letters of recommendation if you don t know anyone? ›- Reach out to your academic advisor. ...
- Reach out to former professors. ...
- Ask your boss (or former boss) ...
- Take a class and build a relationship. ...
- Talk to Admissions.
1. Choose wisely: First, your letters should come from someone who can objectively comment on your potential as a medical student. Don't ask your physician parent or a friend of your physician parent to write a recommendation letter. Second, recommendation letters should always be written by people who know you well.
How to ask a doctor you shadowed for a letter of recommendation? ›
Thank you for allowing me to shadow you. I'm interested in having you write a letter of recommendation for me. Do you think that you can write a strong letter of recommendation for me that I can submit to medical schools?” It's that simple!
Is 7 letters of recommendation too much medical school? ›The exact number of letters required depends on the MD program you're applying to. Typically, med schools require between two and five letters written on behalf of the applicant. However, they may welcome additional letters you want to include in your primary application.
Do letters of recommendation need to be submitted by the deadline? ›Recommenders are strongly encouraged to submit their letters by the deadline, but will still be able to submit after the posted date.
What if my letters of recommendation are bad? ›While negative recommendation letters are important to avoid, having one doesn't mean your job search is over. One of the best things you can do in the case of a bad recommendation letter which has already been seen is to explain the situation to the company you're applying to.
What is the first sentence of a recommendation letter? ›To whom it may concern, It is my pleasure to recommend [employee name] for the position of [open role] at [company name]. During the [number of] years that I was his manager at [company name], I had the opportunity to observe him grow from a curious and dedicated [previous role] to our top [latest role].
What are strong recommendation words? ›- Successful.
- Excellent.
- Accomplished.
- Outstanding.
- Skilled.
- Knowledgeable.
- Insightful.
- Resourceful.
Be specific.
Choose strong, accurate adjectives over general terms or cliches. Think about what the person reading the letter might want to know. Include details or insight that wouldn't necessarily show up on a resume or application. Your letter should help the recipient get to know the person you are recommending.
On average, these letters tend to be approximately three double-spaced pages in length. Any more than that is simply too much, considering that each applicant submits at least three letters of recommendation and that medical schools receive on average 5,000 applications each year.
How many times can you ask the same person for a letter of recommendation? ›If you're applying to multiple opportunities, it's totally okay to ask the same person for multiple letters because they can reuse their writing and submit it to any position you apply to. Follow our tips to smoothly and successfully ask for a letter of recommendation to submit to your future employer.
How many hours of shadowing do you need for med school? ›Many medical schools have a minimum requirement for shadowing hours. This may vary; some schools require 12–24 hours, while others require more than 75 hours. Generally, the range is between 40 and 100 hours. Shadowing can be arranged in half or full-day stints (typically from four to eight hours).
Does it matter who writes your letter of recommendation? ›
Letters of recommendation should be written by people who know you well and who have been responsible for evaluating your academic or professional work. Professors and workplace supervisors are both appropriate.
How do I choose someone to write a letter of recommendation? ›- Think relationship, not rank. If your recommender doesn't know you well, she won't be able to write you a good letter. ...
- Get academic. ...
- Choose someone who wants to write you a good recommendation. ...
- Choose an experienced teacher if possible. ...
- Choose a good writer. ...
- Choose someone reliable.
Teachers, school counselors, extracurricular activity coaches or sponsors, and principals can write a recommendation letter if you are applying to an undergraduate program, If you are applying to a graduate program, you should ask your college professors, internship supervisors, or work superiors or colleagues to vouch ...
Can an academic advisor write a letter of recommendation? ›Your academic advisor. Supervisors from internships related to your academic work. Letters from these individuals are most effective because they come from people who have known you in an academic setting and whose academic standards are well established.
How to get letters of recommendation after being out of school? ›Reaching Out to College Alumni
If you know the individual pretty well, you can just reach out and ask them. Provide them with the usual details about the program you're applying to, your academic or professional achievements, goals you hope to achieve once you complete the program, etc.
Separate letters of recommendation are required for each application you submit. Recommenders are asked to provide a recommendation based on the particular program for which you are applying, so letters of recommendation are specific to each application.
What should you avoid in a letter of recommendation? ›- General language or overly broad descriptors of the student's performance in the classroom;
- Focusing on a student's punctuality or ability to complete the readings. ...
- Too much time and attention detailing the relationship with the student or the content of the course.
If you don't waive your FERPA right, you could accidentally signal to admissions officers that you don't trust your recommender or that the recommendation is less candid or genuine. Your recommender might also get the subtle message that you don't trust him or her.
Who should letters of recommendation be from medical school? ›Current professors and doctors with whom you work or volunteer are your best choices. But former professors and doctors with whom you've worked in the past are fine, too. (If you're applying to osteopathic schools, you must have a letter from a DO.)
How far in advance should you ask for a letter of recommendation? ›Start early.
Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation. Most faculty and staff are very busy and have numerous recommendations to write, so you want to be courteous.
Can you be sued for a bad letter of recommendation? ›
Employers asked to provide a letter of recommendation, or reference, must be aware that they can be sued by their former employee for defamation, retaliation, interference, and emotional distress if the former employee doesn't get a job as a result of any false negative information provided to a potential new employer.
Which of the following is typically the best person to choose as a recommender? ›Recommenders should be people who know you in a professional, volunteer or school context, rather than friends and family. Common recommenders include employers, supervisors, teachers and professors.
How late is too late to ask for a letter of recommendation? ›When applying for academic programs, try to ask people for recommendations four to six weeks before the application deadline. While you may have less time to secure recommendations for a job application, it's still important to ask your references early so they can write you a quality letter.
Can I get in trouble for writing a letter of recommendation? ›Qualified privilege protects the writer of a letter of recommendation as long as there is no “actual malice” on the part of the writer.
Is a month enough time for a letter of recommendation? ›The second aspect of starting early is giving your recommender enough time to write the letter. It's best practice to give at least one month in advance, and more if you're applying to graduate school. At absolute minimum, you want to give them a two week's notice.
Do medical schools read all letters of recommendation? ›The vast majority of med schools do not read letters of recommendation until every other part of your application has been submitted. That means they will not read your letters until they receive: Your primary application. Your secondary application.
Can I get a letter of recommendation from a doctor? ›If you're asking for letters of recommendation from doctors you shadowed, provide them with several details of your experience. This helps them remember you and personalize letters of recommendation, as physicians often write letters for several students in a given year.
Who do you send a letter of intent to medical school? ›Whom should I address the letter of intent to? Using “To Whom It May Concern” is never a great idea. Also avoid sending a letter of intent to the entire admissions committee or to your interviewer(s). Instead, your letter of intent should ideally be addressed to the Dean of Admissions or Director of Admissions.
Can a coach write a letter of recommendation for medical school? ›For athletes, a letter of rec from a coach for your medical school application can go a long way as well! For those of you who are looking for osteopathic schools, you should certainly have an osteopathic physician (DO) write you a letter of recommendation for medical school!
Can you submit letters of recommendation letter for med school application? ›Your letter writers must submit their letter on your behalf. The AMCAS Letter Service enables letter writers to send all letters to AMCAS directly rather than individually to each school. AMCAS will accept letters of evaluation and distribute them to participating medical schools electronically.