References: who to choose?

[Guest soaring_eagle]

For my "academic reference" I'm struggling between two choices. Any imput would be a huge help:

 

1) Currently working for professor (summer research) who taught me this year also for one course. He has only known me for 1 year in the capacity as my proff and supervisor.

 

2) Dean of my program who has known me for 3 years. Has also taught me a few years ago, and is aware of my academic involvements in many areas (TAing, tutoring, scholarships), and has even offered to write me a letter of ref. However, he has not worked with me on a personal basis like my research supervisor (1) has, so I'm not sure if he could give specific personal examples of what he has observed. Plus side is, he has observed more in a broad way.

 

Who should I ask????

 

INPUT PLEASE!!!

[supafield]

It sounds like you would be fine with either....

 

Don't get too hung up in reference letters, just make sure that the people would say good things about you...

 

It sounds like the dean who offered already is more than willing....

 

There's the traditional list of what to look for look for in a reference.... that can be found in numerous threads on these forums.... you make it sound however that you have 2 good reference letters to choose from... Just chose the one you think will make you look like a strong candidate for medicine.....

 

Think of it this way... given that both know you reasonably well and stand to comment on you... who do you think would write a better letter if you were on admissions... the people on admissions committees are relatively ordinary people, some students.... it's not impossible to guess the kind of things they would be looking for..

[Jamer]

Besides U of T really, reference letters don't matter that much anyway. I wouldn't worry.

[BlackJack]

If you want a reference, here are the criteria for choosing one:

 

1. Most important: This person will write you a SHINING reference letter. Regardless of how long or how short a potential reference has known you, you must get a good letter. The only way to find out is to ask them boldly :"Would you be able to write me a shiningly good reference letter?".

 

2. Next important: Someone who knows you and can comment on your qualities. Again, this is only good if the person will write you a SHINING letter.

 

3. And finally:The letters after one's name. It's really not that important. I'm not sure if admissions committees care if you get reference letters from PhDs/MDs only. I think the most important thing is that the people who write you a letter serve an important role in maintaining the greater good of the community.

[strawberriHoney]

well since someone started this thread... i just want to know if my manager at work is qualified for my reference. I work part time at this local drug store and I am the supervisor there. So i'm just wondering if my manager is a good reference. They know me well but they are not a doctor or professor or anything like taht, so would that affect the quality of my reference?

[Futuremedstudent?]

That's fine. You generally need 3. When I applied I used my boss at a restaurant where I was managaing, a prof and a scientist that I worked for one summer.

[jelly31]

I used a prof, a nurse who supervised me in a volunteer setting, and my PI from my research job. Like others have said, it's better if they can say good things about you rather than having lots of credentials. Sounds like OP could use the dean as the academic ref and the prof as a work/community ref.

[Satsuma]

well since someone started this thread... i just want to know if my manager at work is qualified for my reference. I work part time at this local drug store and I am the supervisor there. So i'm just wondering if my manager is a good reference. They know me well but they are not a doctor or professor or anything like taht, so would that affect the quality of my reference?

 

If I remember correctly, of the 3 med school ref letters you need at least one personal reference? So this could be your personal reference.

 

However, if it were me, I would ask myself if the person I was asking was able to write a good letter (there is an assumption when you are asking profs and such that they have good writing skills, and since they review LOR they have an idea of what is important to put in them) and was able to comment on qualities that would be applicable to med school. In order to comment on such qualities, the person writing the letter would have to be aware of what these qualities are. Don't know what background your manager has, but I would seriously just reflect on whether he/she is suitable in those respects. And consider my other options.

 

If you think you are safe then it won't harm you that he/she is not an MD/PhD specifically.

[skvangs]

i would use either, preferrably both. The second guy who offered to write you an lor sounds good.

[mcater2006]

my case:

 

1 physician

1 professor

1 community leader

[blond_med]

how did u get them to write that shinning letter? i know you can tell them its really important for your application, but you never know how well they can write it, especially since you dont get to see it .

 

also, what makes a good letter?

[rogerroger]

how did u get them to write that shinning letter? i know you can tell them its really important for your application, but you never know how well they can write it, especially since you dont get to see it .

 

also, what makes a good letter?

 

 

Anyone who finished university should be able to write a decent letter. It isn't a sure thing, but the odds are pretty decent. Additionally, if one is in a position where they frequently write such letters they should have an idea of what makes a good letter.

 

I think the most important factor is that the person writing the letter knows you as a person. They should also genuinely know your passion towards medicine and believe that you are a good candidate. Such views will make the letter seem more genuine and less generic.