Med Student as personal reference?

[dr nomis]

A friend of mine asked me to be a personal reference on his OMSAS application. I have no problem and would write him an excellent letter, but is it a bad idea to have a medical student as a medical school referees? (He's getting professors to write the other letters)

[summervirus]

I think that some people may place less weight on a reference letter written by you. In the reference letter, you'll have to identify your relationship with the applicant, which forms the basis for your reference. I think that a reference from a friend/peer usually bears less weight than from a supervisor/employer/teacher, etc. At least, that's my point of view.

[peachy]

Friends and family should not write reference letters. It doesn't matter whether the friend or family member is a med student, professor, or royalty! In general, a letter from a med student would be fine--if, say, you were a TA for this student before you started med school and you know him in a professional capacity. But if this person is a friend of yours, the fact that you are a medical student is irrelevant, imho.

 

http://www.premed101.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18454