If you’re like most premeds, just the thought of requesting a rec letter makes you nervous. It’s kind of like asking someone out on a first date. Even if you’ve known the person for a long time, there’s always that fear of rejection.
Well, here’s the deal, it doesn’t have to be that way! I’ve asked for enough rec letters, and I’ve also been asked enough times to know that there’s a good way to do it, and there’s a bad way to do it. You want the former. If you do your part ahead of time, you won’t have to worry about anybody telling you no.
Here are 3 basic steps to help you get excellent letters of recommendation for your medical school application.
Step 1: Start Building Your Relationship on Day One
This is where most premedical students drop the ball. They can’t get great letters because nobody knows them well enough (your parents don’t count). The moment you decide that you are premed is the moment you should intentionally begin building relationships with people qualified to write your medical school rec letters. As much as I wish there was a way around this, there simply isn’t. If you want a great letter, you must have a great relationship.
Step 2: Ask Early & Ask for Greatness!
Six months in advance! That’s when you should be contacting your letter writers to make this request. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re likely not the only person asking your professor or lab supervisor for a rec letter. These individuals are busy enough as it is, and the rec letters are additive, “non-essential” work. In other words, if they don’t write your letter, they’ll feel bad, but likely won’t get fired from their job. That being the case, your rec letter may not be at the top of their priority list. This is why you must ask early and get to the front of the line. Students who ask after you will have to take the back seat. Also, if you ask early, your letter writer will have no good reason not to submit your letter on time.
Great & Excellent! It is rare that a premedical student uses either of these words when asking me for a letter. On the other hand, I never ask someone for a letter unless I use one of these words. Be bold and make the ask. Keep in mind, the default letter is good. That being the case, good becomes average. You need your letter to be great! Don’t be scared to explicitly request this.
Step 3: Send Supplemental Material
Sometimes, us letter writers need to have our brains jogged. We interact with a lot of students and can’t remember everything about everyone. So, do yourself a big favor and send over some information to remind us who you are. Send over your CV (you can download your PreMed STAR profile from the portfolio tab) and if you’ve written your personal statement, send that as well. This will help us write a letter that better reflects who you are.
Rec letters are extremely important. Medical school admission committee members don’t have the opportunity to interact with you much, therefore they must rely on what others tell them.
What other tips have you heard of, or used to get great rec letters? Share your comments!
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*Image credit pixabay
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