Beyond writing the perfect BS/MD application, one component that is often overlooked is letters of recommendation. While students are able to guide the narrative written in their essays, the letters of recommendation typically feel out of their control. However, these letters are crucial to attesting students’ strengths, character, and potential for success in a rigorous academic environment and the medical field.
Who Should Write Your Letter of Recommendation?
Before we dive into the different categories, it’s important to discuss the content of these letters. If a letter of recommendation simply states that you were a good student and curious, the letter does not add a lot of value to your application. The more specific stories your letter writers can include, the better the admissions committees can envision how you may fit into their program. While we always encourage our students to obtain high-level letters (letters from CEO’s, Chairs of Medicine, Research Directors, professors from prestigious institutions, recognized PIs), a letter from someone who worked closely with you is equally as important. Our rule of thumb is that a strong letter from anyone is better than a generic letter from a high-level place. Below is a list of people to consider getting letters from.
School Counselor
For most programs, a letter from your school counselor is required. Since high schools with bigger class sizes typically have few counselors spread among a vast pool students, these letters are typically more generic. It is important to establish a rapport with your counselor (or come with a brag sheet!) so that they can highlight more specific qualities and examples in your application.
Your school counselor should discuss your academic rigor. For instance, if you took the hardest classes possible, they should explicitly say so or list how many AP/ IB courses you have taken. They should also summarize your contributions to the school and can also include your outside activities. It is important that this letter showcases your leadership and engagement in the school community.
STEM Teachers
For most programs, we recommend getting 1-2 STEM teachers, especially those who you have known you for at least one year. They should include not only examples of your academic ability, but also specific stories of your character and approach to their class subject.
Non-STEM Teachers
For most programs, we recommend getting 1 non-STEM teacher to demonstrate diversity in your academic background. These letters are important in discussing your perspective or other soft skills that contribute to a well-rounded application. Skills can include analytical mindset, writing, creativity, communication, and engagement.
Supervisors
These letters can come from someone who can positively speak on behalf of your research or volunteering experiences. Rather than just pointing out that you attended a program or internship, they should specify about project or contributions your initiatives, tangible outcomes of projects (abstract, publication, quality improvement projects, reach of project, etc), and growth. You can also consider letters from mentors who are not in the field of medicine, such as community leaders, humanitarian aid coordinators, or even part-time job supervisors.
Physicians
For BS/MD programs specifically, many students try to obtain a letter of recommendation from physicians that they have shadowed. However, if your only interactions with these letter writers is through shadowing, then your letter of recommendation may come across as passive. If you did a project with the doctor or engaged meaningfully in patient care (taking vitals, quality improvement project, assisted during visits), this is something that physicians can articulate in your letter of recommendation.
What content should be included?
It is essential that your BS/MD letter of recommendation is specific and is filled with personal anecdotes that provide a glimpse of your characteristics. While students often aren’t able to read their own recommendation letters before they are submitted, I would recommend sending a brag sheet or sample letter that your letter writer can reference. Your brag sheet should include:
- Detailed personal anecdotes that you want to include (offer 2-3 stories minimum that they can select from)
- Examples of personality traits. For instance if you want to highlight your critical thinking skills, share examples that illustrate such traits such as research projects or solving challenging problems within class.
- Significant projects completed under their supervision
- Details that you had shared or bonded over in regards to your professional goals and interests
- Comparison to your peers or previous students they’ve taught (your letters don’t need to exaggerate that you’re the best student they’ve ever had)
- If your letter is for all undergraduate programs, then it should state why you would be a good asset to any program. For BS/MD specific letters*, it should discuss your readiness for a challenging (accelerated) medical program and why you would be a great physician.
*Some BS/MD programs will ask for additional letters to be sent to a separate email or portal.
Our essay coach who currently attends Penn State BS/MD shared that one of his letters of recommendation came from my AP Chemistry/ Organic Chemistry teacher whom he worked closely with during my senior research project. This allowed his teacher write on behalf of his work ethic and passion for wet lab studies.
Personally, when I applied to medical school, my letters of recommendation came from several mentors. The most meaningful letter was from my clinical mentor, whom I had worked with for several years. She included stories about my work with a telehealth platform startup that we worked on together, leading education for medical assistants in my clinic, and memorable interactions I had with her patients.
Other Tips for BS/MD Letter of Recommendations
I always recommend my students to get their letters of recommendations early, starting the spring semester of Junior Year. This allows your letter writers adequate time to write a thoughtful letter without being rushed. Additionally, many students will bombard teachers for letters in the fall, and some may even limit the number of letters they write each year.
I also recommend getting five letters: 2 STEM, 1 non-STEM, 2 non-school activities. While many programs only need 2-3 letters (and please always check to see what their maximum requirement is!), some schools like UMKC do allow up to 5 letters. Having additional letters also allows you a safety net in case a letter writer falls through. For instance, while I applied to medical school, I had lined up a non-STEM letter from my humanities professor. However, about 2 months prior to applying, he was suddenly dismissed from my university. Fortunately, I had several other letters lined up so I was not heavily impacted by his dismissal.
Lastly, your letters of recommendation should not just be a reiteration of your resume and essays. They are opportunities for someone to vouch for your candidacy and fit for potential programs. Therefore, try to avoid using the same stories on your essays as you would list on your brag sheet.
Final Thoughts
Letters of recommendation are crucial parts of a student’s application. Your relationships with your letter writers are highly important as they will have a hand in convincing admissions officers that you would be a great candidate for their program. While some teachers may not ask for any materials from you, I suggest coming equipped with a resume and detailed brag sheet that your letter writers can reference. At the end of the application cycle, be sure to update your letter writers about where you got in and consider bringing them a small token of appreciation!
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