Who to Go to for Letters of Recommendation
October 3rd, 2008
Graduate schools, especially medical schools, require a lot of documents to be submitted to further evaluate applicants. Aside from the personal statement for medical school essays, medical schools also ask for submission of letters of recommendation. Admissions people may learn a lot about the applicant through the personal statement for medical school essay, but it’s the letters of recommendation that speak of an applicant’s worth through the third person perspective. Choosing the right people to write letters of recommendation for you is a vital part of your preparation for med school. Here are a few of the people you could ask to be your letter-writers:
Professors
Some schools actually require letters of recommendation to be written by people with professorial rank. Choosing professors to write your letters of recommendation entails a lot of preparation. Sign up in their classes and participate actively in the discussions so your prof would get to know you better. It sure boosts your potentials if you have a well-known prof as your letter-writer, but it would be a lot better if the letter genuinely articulates your achievements and performance as a student in his class.
Professionals
A supervisor or a superior can also draft well-meaning letters of recommendations. Opinions from managers or professionals whom you have closely worked with can be taken as credible sources by admissions people. Make sure that you approach these people with your intentions early on so that they can still accomplish your letter of recommendation despite their busy schedules.
Organization leaders
If you have worked with community groups or organizations, you can ask seniors or officers to draft you letter of recommendation. This would work well especially if your group goes on medical missions or are championing certain healthcare causes. Though involvement in community groups can also be good topics to discuss in your personal statement for medical school essay, additional information that could help boost your application can be written by your seniors.
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