tk31 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Just had a relatively straightforward question about reference letter selection. I am applying to a few American schools, and so will be submitting ~6 letters to the AMCAS service. I have laid out a rough description of my relationships with the 6 individuals. The issue is that I am not sure which 3 of the 6 to use for Canadian applications. 1. Tutoring supervisor - worked with her an hour each week and got to know her very well over the course of the year. She is an employee of the university, but not a professor 2. Alternative Spring Break Admin Leader - worked with her for a week during the ASB. Still stay in touch, and I think she could write an extremely positive reference letter, but again she is an employee of the university and not a professor 3. Current Research supervisor - working for him right now in the summer doing research, and most likely my thesis. I like him and will probably use him. 4. Previous research supervisor - different research supervisor last summer, in a different faculty than what I am currently in. She said she liked my work last summer and wrote a letter for me last year.... but I didn't have any luck in applications this year. 5. Professor - Did very well in his course, talked to him several times for a few hours and get along with him well. 6. ASB Faculty Leader - this is my non-science professor, and he is the associate dean of arts. (Probably won't use him for Canadian) I had been thinking of using 1,2,3 for my Canadian schools. However, I am concerned about the fact that 2/3 references are not professors. My marks and MCAT are strong, so I thought it would make sense to have letters that show my "softer" side. Any ideas/feedback would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
japlanet Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I used my equivalent of 3,5, and one of 1 or 2. 1 and 2 seem to show the same things, so pick one and go with a prof too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 If No. 2 only knows you for a week, it is a bit 'ify' to me. As long as you receive "credible and strong" LORs that cover all the territory (academic, non-academic and character, motivation, etc.), you will be fine. A tutoring supervisor and/or current/past research supervisor who knows you well is of far greater value than a prof who give you a sterile (almost no name) LOR. Follow your instincts, you will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
token Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Quite a few American schools require a minimum of 3 professors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tk31 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 Hey, thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely take it to consideration when I start the final process. @token: For the american schools that require 3 professors, I will be using 3,4,5 plus the others as required. My issue was more in figuring out which ones to use for the Canadian application (which has a maximum of 3 references of any type). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.