How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Medical School: Nine Tips for Recommenders
When it comes to your medical school recommendations, there are certain parts you have control over and certain parts that you do not – and you may actually have more influence than you realize.
You have the power to decide who will write your recommendations (however, it’s also your responsibility to give them enough time before the deadline to do so!). But do you have any control over what your recommender writes? Well, you actually do – to some degree. While, ultimately, what your recommender says about you is up to them, you do have some influence. By supplying them with the right information and tips, you can help them write the best possible recommendation.
Below you’ll find tips that you can pass along to your recommenders, as well as samples that will give them ideas for writing your recommendation letter.
Advice for Med School Recommenders
When asked to write a medical school recommendation, you might recall the fond memories you have of the applicant. If that person is a former or current student of yours, perhaps you’ll review their scores and grades in your course(s). However, to give them the support they (hopefully) deserve, here are some simple things you can do to truly provide the most thorough and helpful recommendation on their behalf:
1. Request a copy of the applicant’s personal statement so your letter of recommendation can dovetail with – not conflict with or duplicate – the rest of their application.
2. Ask the applicant to supply you with additional information such as a resume, CV, and/or academic transcripts. If it would be helpful, schedule an informational interview with the applicant, either in person or online, to review their materials and learn more about their desire to pursue medicine.
3. Describe your qualifications for comparing the applicant to other applicants as well as the ways in which the applicant has distinguished themself. For example:
I have been teaching for 20 years and have advised approximately 450 students on independent research projects over the last five years. Jen’s project was unlike any of the others I’ve advised, certainly in the top 10%.
I have personally supervised ten interns every summer for the last five years plus worked with over 200 college students in the Big Medical Center ER. Tyrell distinguished himself from the other interns in his focus and dedication by [provide examples].
4. Discuss how well you know the applicant, as demonstrated below:
I was able to get to know Joe because he made it a point to attend two of my sections every week when only one was required.
Jane did research in my laboratory for two years, and I worked very closely with her.
5. Highlight two to three qualities that you observed in the applicant, such as these:
Jane has a rare blend of top research, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
The combination of tenacity, willingness to help, and good communications skills found in Joe is truly unique.
6. In discussing those qualities, support your statements with specific instances in which the applicant demonstrated those attributes. Be as concrete and detailed as possible. For example:
Joe is the only student I ever had who came to all my office hours as part of a relentless – and successful – drive to master biochemistry. He was one of just 10% in the class to receive an A.
Because of Jane’s research and communications skills, I didn’t hesitate to ask her to monitor epileptic patients and prepare electrodes to be implanted in their bilateral temporal lobes. Her quality work contributed significantly to a paper we co-authored and presented to the Society for Neuroscience.
7. Avoid generalities and platitudes like the following:
Joe is a fantastic student.
I always encouraged Jane to reach for the stars!
8. Avoid artificial criticism, which usually comes in the form of the flip side of a strength, such as “He tries too hard/cares too much/is too humble.” Instead, strive for authentic criticisms that you can couple with sincere ways in which the student has worked to acknowledge and correct this flaw, such as “As Tom’s grades reveal, he did not perform his best in our second semester together. When we met to discuss this, Tom explained his circumstances and the ways in which he could have better managed his schedule to allow for more study time. The following term, Tom implemented these changes and radically improved his performance.”
9. Discuss the applicant’s potential in their chosen field. For example:
With her exceptional interpersonal and research skills, Jane will be an outstanding doctor and a credit to the medical school she attends. I would not be surprised to meet Jane running a complex and high-energy ER in ten years.
As the former assistant dean of student affairs at the William Beaumont School of Medicine and former director of pre-health advisement and the Postbaccalaureate Certificate Program at Sacred Heart University, Valerie brings more than 20 years of success working with pre-health candidates in medicine, dental, vet, PA, PT, OT, exercise science, and nursing. Her clients appreciate her expertise in the holistic admissions process and her patient, thoughtful, strategic, and data-driven working style. Work with Valerie! Schedule a free consultation today!
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