Asking for a letter of recommendation for medical school is like asking for a date: The toughest part is asking! Once you’ve made your intentions clear, you can relax and just be yourself.

Here’s the easy and effective way to ask for a letter of recommendation.

Should you write your own letter of recommendation?
It's a common request from professors and employers. Should you do it? Read more.
Prevent your letters of rec from delaying your application
If your letters of rec are late, your acceptance may be in jeopardy. Read more.

1. Pick the right professors

Choose professors that are willing and eager to help you on your way, and try to choose professors that teach your important med school prerequisites like Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

2. Meet with your professors during office hours and discuss your letter of recommendation

Make an appointment to see your professors in their office hours and show up on time! You’ll be way ahead of the average premed by simply showing up and holding a mature and directed conversation with the professor.

Discuss your medical school goals, dreams, and desires with them. You want your professors to feel your passion for medicine so that they can eventually communicate your motivation in your letter of recommendation.

Important: By the end of the first meeting, you should mention that you are hoping to eventually receive a strong letter of recommendation. Ask: “What should a student like me do to earn a really strong letter of recommendation from you?”

Remember, they are doing YOU a favor here, not the other way around, so you want to make sure they feel good about recommending you.

3. Go the extra mile and do what no other premed does: Specifically discuss the content of the letter of recommendation with your professor

The typical advice you’ll hear is to get to know your teacher, participate in class and mention your motivations for wanting to go to medical school.

If you want a really outstanding letter you need to go the extra mile and make it easy for them to give you what you need.It is actually a good idea to sit down yourself and write out what you would feel would be the perfect letter of recommendation.

If you furnish your chosen teacher with a sample letter of recommendation for medical school that hits all the right notes and sells you to the school, then you are maximizing your chances of getting a letter that will really stand out from the crowd.

The odds are high that if they like you they will be prepared to send it exactly as you have written it!

4. Get letter of recommendation samples and a full conversation script on how to ask for a letter

Get the best letters of recommendation possible by learning exactly what to say to your professors when you ask for a letter, and use our sample letters of recommendation to see how you and your professors can easily write incredible letters of recommendation. Learn more about our complete guide to the letter of recommendation for medical school here.

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