MedChatter Guide to Letters of Reference

Most schools require 2-3 letters of reference as part of their medical school application (e.g. OMSAS requires 3.  UofA,UBC, Memorial, Dalhousie, require 2).  As is the case with most of the other sections of the medical applications, here is variation between the format and medium of the reference letter between medical schools.  What is common is that there is usually a referee form with instructions for the referee to follow. Often the applicant is responsible for providing the referee with a copy of the form to use (such as with OMSAS, UofA). However in UofC’s case, each referee must provide an e-mail address and in turn, the reference form is directly e-mailed to the referee.  The referee then answers questions on an online form provided by UofC.

Often the application has a set of directives for the referee to follow when writing the reference letter. For example some schools ask the referee to answer specific questions (e.g. UofA, UofC), while other schools ask the referee to comment on certain characteristics (OMSAS).  In the case of OMSAS, the referee is asked to not only write a narrative reference letter, but to also fill out a one-page form ranking the referee in several categories.

Common among all schools is the restriction that friends/family are not chosen as your referee, and the recommendation that at least one reference letter is from an “academic” referee OR for other schools, that at least one letter is from a “non-academic” referee.  Usually academic refers to professors who have taught you courses, or supervisors in research work.  Non-academic referees are typically people you have meet through your extra-curricular or volunteer work.

What can be useful is having your referee emphasize the characteristics that medical schools look for.  Below we have a list of the qualities that some medical schools look for to help you:

Queens Characteristics that Referees can consider commenting on:

Academic Abilities

• commitment and achievement

• problem solving

• critical thinking

• self directed learning

• scientific reasoning

Personal Characteristics

• ability to function as a team player

• ability to communicate effectively

• sensitivity to the needs of others

• adaptability and ability to cope with stress

• creativity and extracurricular interests

UBC: Motivation, social concern and responsibility, creativity, scientific and intellectual curiosity, attitude toward continuing learning, maturity, integrity, and realistic self-appraisal

UofT - The status or profession of the letter writer is not relevant to the evaluation process.  What matters is what they say about you.  When selecting referees, think about how well and how long the writer has known you.  Can the Admissions Committee see them as an objective reference?  Referees who may not be objective (referees with family or friendship connections) should not be used - their evaluations will be given less weight than objective evaluators.  It is recommended that at least one of your letters be from a non-academic source.  It is also recommended that at least one letter (not necessarily the same one) be from a referee who can provide a comparative perspective on your character and strengths with a number of your peers, for example someone who has had occasion to interact with a number students interested in medicine.