My sophomore is applying to an early admit med school. They require 3 LOR’s, one will be high school as required, a clinical rec, and last is college professor with science “highly encouraged”.
Given larger science classes up to this point options are Orgo or non-science PH. They have had same professor for Orgo 1 last spring and in Orgo 2 presently. A’s in both, sits near front, goes to group office hours, but no depth beyond that. Allegedly writes good recommendations, but likely to be more generic as no relationship beyond strong student.
Other option is public health which would be very strong and personal with a lot of depth. Could speak to many angles including work ethic, passion, above and beyond norms, character, etc.
I always say to show you can follow directions and do what they ask, but the science rec is “highly encouraged” versus required, but still say that’s strong language.
One last thought, many a top student will likely also apply to this program, knows several, and all likely to choose Orgo prof given all will have had for two semesters so most depth at this stage given timing of applying.
Thoughts?
Adding one other thing in case relevant, they have had A’s in all science courses and bypassed intro bio and chem classes, so proven that side of equation in terms of academic readiness. Don’t know full scope of why they prefer a science rec though.
They prefer a science rec because the course load (until the student starts rotations) leans heavily on science topics. And since the accelerated programs are brutally competitive, the adcom’s want the perspective of a science teacher as to the student’s intellectual curiosity, academic potential, etc. in the sciences. I think kids are better off when they follow the “suggestions”.
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I hope @WayOutWestMom weighs in here…but IMHO, anything that says “highly encouraged” is code for…required.
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I agree that “highly encouraged” means “required.”
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Agree with everyone above. In med school speak “highly encouraged /recommended” = required.
A science letter is necessary because the adcomms are looking for a direct comparison of the student’s strengths/weaknesses in the biological and chemical sciences with the other strong students in the class(es) and in the classes that the professor has taught in the past.
AAMC has a list of some of the topics a recommender is expected to touch on when writing a letter of evaluation for med school.
NOTE: the for med school admission, letter writers are providing a letter of evaluation, not a letter of recommendation. They are different entities and encompass different format and content.
Professors who are not familiar with the expected letter format and content often write weak letters which will not help a student during the admission review process.
FWIW, Ochem profs write med school letters All. The. Time. and are quite familiar with what’s expected.
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