LOR question

[medisforme]

i will be applying for 2009 entry this summer and have already gotten two profs to commit reference letters. However, i was only originally planning on using one professor reference letter given that i have a wackload of health care experience (i'm an RN) and have already confirmed two other people who are willing to write reference letters. However, the diliemna with my profs is that my biology prof (have had him for three semesters in a row in different capacities) agreed to write me a letter with very little questions asked (we talked about my intentions, why medicine etc... for ten minutes). I also was able to get a sociology professor to commit to a reference letter as well (300 level course, aimed at those going into teaching - sociology of education, not a "bird" course at all). The class was very small, interactive, and presentation oriented (which is how i got noticed, since i talk a lot) and the professor was very excited when i requested a reference letter (i didn't know what she'd say). We had a meeting and talked for about half an hour, and she requested another meeting where we could go over together exactly how she should write the letter etc... So my dilemna is that if i use one prof for LOR, should i use my sociology prof even though i am not in an arts program and i just took the course for fun but who i think may be a little more dynamic in the letter she writes. Or should i go with my biology prof, who probably knows me a bit better, but who is...well...a science geek, who appears (to me) a little socially awkward and may not write as dynamic a letter. Do med schools care about the specialty of the prof who writes the LOR or do they just want someone with a PhD. Conversely, should i use both profs and drop one of my health care LOR's. Any advice would be great.

[crimson]

I don't see anything about Lord of the Rings here...

[PhoenixFlare500]

I would personally go for whoever can write better a letter that describes and promotes (can't think of another word) you as a competitive applicant.

[ghewson]

Hi,

 

I have read in one school's manual that you should have one to two profs who can comment on academic ability/style and other supervisor type people ie work and volunteer- never friends or family. They should be able to be critical of you in the letter, not just he is wonderful blahblahblah because that is not very useful.

 

So I think you should use the 2 profs and one other meaningful person who knows you very well- knows your strengths and weaknesses, how you work, etc., but obviously who thinks your great and can write half decently. Don't worry about aloof, awkward profs because people know what they can be like and expect that and as long as you have another expressive person it's okay.

 

Hope this helps!

[vip_138]

by the way you explained your situation and your option of having a 'dynamic' reference, it sounds like you're leaning towards your sociology prof. There is no requisite for a bio prof LOR (in canada atleast) so don't even factor that in your decision. Sounds like your bio prof would be writing a fairly standard LOR, which might not let you stand out as much as you would like. Personally, i'ld go with the soc and 2 healthcare-related LORs (this is unless the school req's 2 profs)

 

also, you might have to consider how long you've been working as an RN, if its more than a few years, i think its better to go with 2 healthcare, with atleast one being your head supervisor.

[medisforme]

thanx for the reply, though i am guessing you are not an RN. Getting a LOR to apply to med school from a nursing unit manager who would likely be a little insulted at me leaving the profession doesn't seem like a good idea to me, even though i spent one year full time and one year part time working there. i did manage to get a LOR from my boss at my other job (she is not an RN) and my boss from when I was in undergrad (she is an RPN), so i will wait and see what the best course of action is.