Comments on: The 2+1 Rule: the Importance of Diversity in Reference Letters http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/ Entertainment and Advice for Budding Physicians Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:34:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Gagan http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-3003 Gagan Sun, 20 Mar 2011 20:24:36 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-3003 Hey Joshua, as usual, cool post. I agree with this post--diversity is good. When I think about it, your GPA and MCAT say alot about your intellect, work ethic, etc. Instead of having all three of your references say the same thing, why not have one (or two) talk about your non-academic abilities?? Personally, I have two academic and one community. Hey Joshua, as usual, cool post. I agree with this post–diversity is good. When I think about it, your GPA and MCAT say alot about your intellect, work ethic, etc. Instead of having all three of your references say the same thing, why not have one (or two) talk about your non-academic abilities??

Personally, I have two academic and one community.

]]> By: Joshua http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2976 Joshua Sat, 26 Feb 2011 13:48:55 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2976 @becca: Nope, an academic letter doesn't have to come from someone who taught you a course. My academic letter came from a professor I only did research with. @becca: Nope, an academic letter doesn't have to come from someone who taught you a course. My academic letter came from a professor I only did research with.

]]> By: becca http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2968 becca Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:13:27 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2968 hey josh! thanks so much for these helpful articles :) i was wondering for the academic letter.. does it have to be someone who taught you a course? i've worked with a professor for almost 2 years but it has been more of a job/research scholarship thing.. i think she would be able to comment on my academic capabilities though thanks! hey josh!

thanks so much for these helpful articles :)

i was wondering for the academic letter.. does it have to be someone who taught you a course? i've worked with a professor for almost 2 years but it has been more of a job/research scholarship thing.. i think she would be able to comment on my academic capabilities though

thanks!

]]> By: Kelly http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2114 Kelly Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:01:19 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2114 Thanks for the reply Joshua. My other referee...knows me really well personally as well, so I know his reference will be strong. I'm just a little bit worried because I would have liked to have a reference from someone who knows my science background as well. But we'll see what happens. Thanks again. Thanks for the reply Joshua. My other referee…knows me really well personally as well, so I know his reference will be strong. I'm just a little bit worried because I would have liked to have a reference from someone who knows my science background as well. But we'll see what happens.

Thanks again.

]]> By: Joshua http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2109 Joshua Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:35:13 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2109 Hey Kelly, Yah I think that's fine. Many applicants only have 1 academic referee (myself included). My only concern is whether your other referee will be as strong as the one he/she would be replacing. Hey Kelly,

Yah I think that's fine. Many applicants only have 1 academic referee (myself included). My only concern is whether your other referee will be as strong as the one he/she would be replacing.

]]> By: Kelly http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2108 Kelly Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:08:55 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2108 Hi, Awesome article! I also have a question. Last year I had 2 academic referees and one volunteer supervisor. Out of the academic referees, one was a science prof and the other was a prof for another class (more about health issues etc not really intense science). However, this year, my academic referee (science prof) is out of town right now and he won't be back until after the deadlines. Do you think it's ok if my only academic is my other prof? Thanks! Hi,

Awesome article!

I also have a question. Last year I had 2 academic referees and one volunteer supervisor. Out of the academic referees, one was a science prof and the other was a prof for another class (more about health issues etc not really intense science).

However, this year, my academic referee (science prof) is out of town right now and he won't be back until after the deadlines. Do you think it's ok if my only academic is my other prof?

Thanks!

]]> By: Joshua http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2085 Joshua Sat, 07 Aug 2010 11:34:54 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2085 Hi Josh, I believe the standard is to ask your PI, who can consult with your coordinator about your work. Otherwise, I think the coordinator would be fine. But no, not having a doctor write you a reference is not an issue (I didn't have a doctor referee, and many successful applicants don't either). Good luck! Hi Josh,

I believe the standard is to ask your PI, who can consult with your coordinator about your work. Otherwise, I think the coordinator would be fine. But no, not having a doctor write you a reference is not an issue (I didn't have a doctor referee, and many successful applicants don't either).

Good luck!

]]> By: Josh http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-2078 Josh Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:27:37 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-2078 Hi Joshua, I have been working at a lab, but as my supervisor is a busy physician, I have had A LOT of interactions with research coordinator who supervised my research progresses more so than the physician/PI. Would it be better to have the physician to write my letter as he is actually the PI, or would it be better to ask the coordinator to write one who knows me and my work better although he is not a "doctor"? That being said, would not having a doctor/physician as a referee looked down upon, especially at UofT (logistically, this is my first choice). Thanks for your input in advance! Hi Joshua,

I have been working at a lab, but as my supervisor is a busy physician, I have had A LOT of interactions with research coordinator who supervised my research progresses more so than the physician/PI.

Would it be better to have the physician to write my letter as he is actually the PI, or would it be better to ask the coordinator to write one who knows me and my work better although he is not a "doctor"?

That being said, would not having a doctor/physician as a referee looked down upon, especially at UofT (logistically, this is my first choice).

Thanks for your input in advance!

]]> By: Joshua http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-1880 Joshua Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:28:22 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-1880 ^Such a good question, I think I'm going to incorporate what I just wrote as part of the article, thanks! =) ^Such a good question, I think I’m going to incorporate what I just wrote as part of the article, thanks! =)

]]> By: Joshua http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/the-21-rule-the-importance-of-diversity-in-reference-letters/comment-page-1/#comment-1879 Joshua Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:27:41 +0000 http://www.medhopeful.com/?p=1458#comment-1879 Hey Sarah, I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! :) If you think that you won't be able to find a non-academic supervisor who can write you a strong letter, then I would just stick with three awesome academic references. I am sure there are quite a few medical students whose three references were all academic. What I would do is ask them to comment on a variety of your traits beyond what academic referees traditionally comment on. Bring up specific experiences of yours that you think they should keep in mind. For example, do any of them know of your experiences beyond the academic setting? Have any of them see you do things in the academic setting that would demonstrate compassion or empathy, for instance? Who writes your letter isn't as important as the letters presenting you as well-rounded, complete candidate. As long as they can do that, I think it's fine that they are all academic. Hope that helps! Hey Sarah,

I'm glad you're enjoying the blog! :)

If you think that you won't be able to find a non-academic supervisor who can write you a strong letter, then I would just stick with three awesome academic references. I am sure there are quite a few medical students whose three references were all academic.

What I would do is ask them to comment on a variety of your traits beyond what academic referees traditionally comment on. Bring up specific experiences of yours that you think they should keep in mind. For example, do any of them know of your experiences beyond the academic setting? Have any of them see you do things in the academic setting that would demonstrate compassion or empathy, for instance?

Who writes your letter isn't as important as the letters presenting you as well-rounded, complete candidate. As long as they can do that, I think it's fine that they are all academic.

Hope that helps!

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