Med School Requirements: Who Should Write Letters of Recommendation

To make sure you’re being presented in the best light, you’ll want to submit recommendations from professionals who can paint a flattering picture of you by way of vivid descriptions, concrete examples, and sincere commendation.

 

Each medical school has its own set of standards and formats for securing letters, so you’ll want to do some research into the specific schools to which you’ll be applying.

If you’re applying to U.S. allopathic (MD) medical schools, visit the AMCAS website and check out the latest Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR) guide. If you’re applying to osteopathic (DO) medical programs, you should visit the AACOM website and check out the Osteopathic Medical College Information Book.

Regardless, make sure you know the deadlines, number of letters required, and which recommenders you will need to approach for your varying types of recommendation letters.

In certain situations, it’s also recommended that you request letters from the following individuals:

• Research director or Principal Investigator (if you have research experience)
• Representative from volunteer program (if you have medical-related volunteer experience)
• Graduate program director (if you are a graduate student or have completed your master’s degree)

If you are reapplying to medical school, it’s also advisable to include a new letter of recommendation accounting for your past year’s activities, credentials, and successes.

When choosing recommenders to help you meet your med school requirements, it’s important to note that the credentials of your letter writers do not carry more weight than what they write about you. In other words, just because someone is a respected authority in a specific field doesn’t necessarily make them the right person to pen one of your letters of recommendation.

It’s far more important that recommenders know you as an individual and can speak to your qualifications. Along the same lines, you want to avoid the dreaded form letter of recommendation because it says nothing unique about your personal attributes vs. those of any other applicant. 

Find the Best Recommender

Your goal is to identify writers who are knowledgeable about three things:

1. Your unique characteristics and credentials
2. The demands of medical school
3. How you’re qualified for medical school

Ideally, each letter will highlight just one or two of your many admirable qualities and specific experiences so that when the letters are combined, the med school admissions committees at the schools you’re applying to can get a vivid and complete impression of your character.

The AAMC & admissions committees have identified the following qualities as standards for people in the medical profession:

Looking at the list above, which of these qualities do you possess? Who are the people in your life who can attest to this? Answering these questions will go a long way towards helping you identify and choose the people who are best suited to writing your letters of recommendation.