Medical School Acceptance Rates Recommendation Letter Sample

Medical School Recommendation Letter Sample

Letterhead

Name of Writer and contact information if not included in letterhead

Date

Dear Admission Committee Members,

It is a great pleasure for me to write this letter of recommendation for [Name of student] in support of her application to your medical school program. [Name] has been shadowing me for the past year at Y Children’s Hospital and has been an absolute joy to have as a volunteer and as an observer.

[Name] is one of the most dedicated, compassionate, and eager students I have ever worked with. She always arrived with a smile, ready to learn. She quickly memorized the history and diagnoses of my many patients, which is no easy feat. She became a favorite of my patients due to her kind personality, and a favorite among my staff for her coachability and skill. When shadowing me on rounds, she demonstrated her medical knowledge and never failed to ask questions in areas of uncertainty. I have also been impressed with her resilience and maturity.

My work with children suffering from serious conditions and diseases can, understandably, take a heavy mental and emotional toll. After a couple of weeks, I noticed one morning that [Name] looked tired, even though her performance and pleasant demeanor had not changed. Sure enough, later that day, [Name] asked if she could speak with me and expressed that she had been having some trouble sleeping. She told me she was thinking about the patients a lot, even after her shifts. I reassured her that this was normal for many new doctors, but that she should find ways to disengage after work to give her mind a rest. I suggested some light exercise and also visiting a counselor to acquire some strategies to adjust during what is often a challenging transition for medical students.

[Name] clearly took my advice to heart, and over the following weeks, I saw her energy rebound. When I checked in with her, she said she felt much better and was working hard to develop a rapport with patients, parents, and staff by cultivating a professional yet positive persona that did not involve bringing her work home with her. I know from experience how difficult this can be, and I was thoroughly impressed with her efforts. She continued to ask me and my colleagues for advice on improving her interpersonal skills and patient communication. Self-awareness is an important quality in physicians, especially to avoid burn-out, and this slight setback [Name] experienced and the way she managed it highlighted her suitability for the profession, in my opinion.

Several months ago, [Name] went even farther in her dedication to our patients. Many of our patients are unable to have visitors due to being immune compromised. When [Name] found out that a young patient would be spending his birthday in the hospital, unable to see either of his parents or the rest of his family, she stepped up. She worked with the patient’s parents to organize a “drive-by” parking lot visit outside the patient’s window and organized the staff in wishing him a happy birthday. She also set up a video call with the patient’s family who couldn’t attend in person.

I am certain that [Name] will not only make an excellent addition to your program, but also a fine pediatrician. She is singularly dedicated to her patients and is willing to go above and beyond. I cannot recommend her highly enough. Please do contact me if you have further questions about [Name’s] candidacy.

Sincerely,

Name of Writer, MD

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