Getting great letters of recommendation is a key part of your medical school application, but knowing when and how to ask can be tricky. This guide breaks it down into a simple timeline so you can make the request with confidence and give your recommenders plenty of time to write a strong letter.
How Many Letters of Recommendation Do I Need for Medical School?
All medical schools—whether they are MD or DO—require applicants to submit letters of recommendation (LOR) with their medical school application. The exact requirements vary by school, but, generally, medical schools ask for two to five letters.
The application services also have their own LOR limits. The American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) allows up to 10 letters of recommendation. The American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS) allows six. The Texas Medical & Dental Schools Application Service (TMDSAS) allows four. However, you do not need to (and, in some cases, should not) send the MAX number of letters an application service allows. In fact, some schools might explicitly advise against it. Always check your schools’ requirements on the MSAR to ensure you’re following best practices.
Further Reading
💌 How Many Letters of Recommendation Do You Need for Medical School?
How To Ask for a Med School Letter of Recommendation
The earlier you can request for an LOR, the better. Some professors will likely get asked by many students for a letter and will be busy. At a minimum, try to ask for a letter 2-3 months before the application is due. This gives your recommenders enough time to write a thoughtful and thorough letter.
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6–12 Months Before Applying: Figure Out Who to Ask
Start early! Think about professors, doctors, or mentors who know you well and can genuinely vouch for your strengths.
Choose people who have seen your academic skills, research abilities, or clinical work firsthand.
Build solid relationships by participating in office hours, research projects, or clinical experiences. The people who have longitudinal relationships with you and know you well will be the best letter writers.
4–6 Months Before Applying: Make the Ask
Ask in person if possible. It’s more personal and gives the potential writer a chance to ask questions. If you’re reaching out by email, keep it short and professional, but friendly. And, importantly, make it easy for them to say no if they don’t feel they can write you a strong letter.
Example of How To Ask for a Letter of Recommendation in Person:
“Professor [Last Name], I really enjoyed your [class/research project], and I learned so much from it. Since you’ve seen my work firsthand, I was wondering if you’d feel comfortable writing me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?”
“Dr. [Last Name], working with you has been an amazing experience, and I’ve learned a ton. Since you’ve seen my growth in [clinical/research setting], I’d love to ask if you’d be willing to write me a letter of recommendation.”
Example Letter of Recommendation Email Request:
Subject: Request for Letter of Recommendation
Dear [Professor/Dr. Last Name],
I hope you’re doing well! I’m applying to medical school this upcoming cycle and was wondering if you’d be willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation. I really enjoyed [your class/working in your lab/our clinical experience], and I think you could provide great insight into my [academic skills/research abilities/clinical work].
I’d be happy to send over my resume, personal statement, and any other materials that might help. The deadline for submission is [date], and I can provide instructions on where to send it.
Please let me know if you’d be comfortable writing this letter—if not, I completely understand! Thanks so much for your time and support.
3–4 Months Before Applying: Provide Helpful Info
Give your writers your resume, transcript, personal statement, and a list of relevant experiences. Share with them why you’re applying to medical school and what your career goals are. Remind them of specific projects or experiences you had together, particularly if it has been a while since you interacted. It is important that your writers can tailor the letter to you, so it will be personal and meaningful.
2 Months Before Applying: Follow Up
Check in to see if they need anything else from you! Gently remind them of the deadline and where to send the letter. Thank them again for their time and support.
1 Month Before Applying: Final Reminder
Send a polite reminder about the deadline. Double-check that they have everything they need. Offer help if they run into any issues with submission portals.
After Submission: Show Your Appreciation
Send a thank-you email or, even better, a handwritten note! Keep them updated on your application progress and let them know where you get accepted! They played a role in this process, and will surely enjoy sharing your success.
Final Thoughts
By planning ahead and being thoughtful in your requests, you’ll set yourself up for strong, meaningful letters that boost your application. Plus, showing gratitude and professionalism will leave a great impression that can benefit you long after medical school!
Want to take your application from applied to accepted? Learn how our Medical School Admissions Consulting can help polish off your application. Reach out to one of our expert consultants for a free consult.
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