Selecting Letters of Recommendation for BS/MD Programs

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Good morning parents and future doctors,

Letters of recommendation can significantly influence the outcome of your BS/MD application, which makes it very important to select the right individuals to advocate for your strengths and potential as an applicant. Choosing recommenders is not just about titles or roles — it’s about selecting those who can provide detailed and compelling insights into your journey toward medicine. The best recommenders share specific stories, not just general praise.

BS/MD Recommendation Requirements

Before choosing who to ask for recommendations, it is important to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of each BS/MD program. With nearly 50 programs across the country, requirements can vary widely — some may prefer a science teacher, others might require a counselor or even a physician.

Action Item: Create a spreadsheet of your targeted BS/MD programs noting the specific recommendation letter requirements for each. We provide our students comprehensive list to cover this for you and save you time.

When making a spreadsheet, make sure to include columns for:

School Name
Number of Required Letters
Required Recommenders (e.g. science teacher, counselor, physician)
Submission Method (Common App, program portal, etc.)
Submission Deadline (to stay organized and ensure you meet all the requirements)

Most programs require at least two recommendation letters, typically one from a high school science teacher. For example, Brown PLME requires at least two letters of recommendation with at least one recommendation from a science or math teacher. Other programs such as Penn State-Jefferson (PMM) recommend letters from teachers in core academic subjects and allow additional letters from research or volunteer supervisors.

We have developed a comprehensive list of each program for these letter of recommendation requirements, so our students don’t miss any important details.

Assess Your Unique Strengths

Your BS/MD application should tell a clear, cohesive story — not just that you’re a strong student, but why you’re an ideal candidate for a career in medicine. Letters of recommendation are your chance to reinforce that narrative through other voices, offering proof of your work ethic, curiosity, compassion, and potential.

Help your recommenders convey your strengths by guiding them with your personal strengths and qualities you want demonstrated.

Action Item: Make a list of the top 4–6 qualities, achievements, or experiences you want BS/MD programs to know about you. Then, match each of these themes to the person who can speak to it best. For example, if you lead a health initiative, a volunteer supervisor could speak to your empathy with patients as a future physician.

Strategically Select Your Recommenders

The strongest recommendation letters come from people who truly know you and can provide specific examples of your strengths, growth, and character.

Academic Recommenders

Most BS/MD programs require a letter from a high school science teacher. Choose someone who has taught you in an advanced course and witnessed you tackle tough material, help peers, or stay curious beyond the classroom.

Tip: Don’t just pick the teacher who gave you the highest grade. Pick teachers who taught you in AP, IB, Honors, or courses with higher rigor – where they have seen you in settings beyond just your test scores.

Research and Clinical Experience Recommenders

If you’ve done research or had meaningful clinical experiences (shadowing, hospital volunteering, internships), consider asking a research mentor or physician for a letter — especially if the experience shaped your interest in medicine.

Programs that value research, like RPI’s Physician-Scientist Program, actively look for students with a strong foundation in scientific thinking. A mentor who can speak to your lab skills, curiosity, or ability to think like a budding researcher can be a significant asset.

Community Service and Advocacy Recommenders

If you have spent significant time volunteering, leading a service initiative, or advocating for a cause, a letter from a service mentor or community supervisor can help demonstrate your compassion, leadership, and long-term commitment to helping others — all traits that medical schools value deeply.

BS/MD programs like VCU’s Guaranteed Admission Program prioritize community engagement, so a letter showing your dedication to underserved populations or healthcare equity could really make your application stand out.

Tip: Choose someone who’s seen you show up consistently, take initiative, and build real relationships — not just complete required hours.

Build Strong Relationships Early

Engaging with potential recommenders early on is vital. Don’t wait until senior year to think about recommendation letters, start building genuine relationships now. Teachers and mentors write the best letters when they’ve had time to truly get to know you — not just as a student, but as a future physician.

How to Start Building Strong Connections:

Engage in class consistently: Ask thoughtful questions, contribute to discussions, and show curiosity beyond just getting the right answers.
Seek feedback: Visit office hours or stay after class to review tests, ask for advice, or show interest in growing academically.
Share your goals: Let your teachers or mentors know you’re planning to apply to BS/MD programs. Explain why you’re drawn to medicine and what excites you most about the path. This helps them write a letter that aligns with your long-term vision.
Keep in touch after the class ends: Send updates on what you’re working on, especially if it connects to what you learned with them. A simple check-in can go a long way in keeping the relationship strong.

Tip: If you’re in 10th or 11th grade, now is the perfect time to identify 2–3 potential recommenders and start developing those relationships.

How to Request a Strong Letter

When it’s time to ask for recommendation letters, professionalism and preparation go a long way. A well-organized request makes it easier for your recommenders to write a strong, personalized letter and leaves a great impression.

Steps to Take:

Ask Early: Provide at least 6-8 weeks’ notice. Teachers and mentors are often writing for multiple students so asking early shows respect for their time and gives them space to write thoughtfully. We support our students in requesting LORs at the end of their junior year.
Have a Conversation: Meet with your recommender (in person or virtually) to explain why you’re applying to BS/MD programs, what drives you to become a physician, and why you’re asking them specifically to write your letter.
Share Supporting Materials: Share your resume, a summary of experiences, and any specific points to mention. This can help them write a well-rounded recommendation that captures all of your achievements that you would like to be included.
Follow Up and Express Gratitude: Send a polite reminder a week or two before the deadline if needed. After they submit, send a genuine thank-you email. Make sure to keep them updated on your results — recommenders love hearing about your success!

Action Item: Build a timeline for each recommender. Include when to ask, what you’ll share with them (resume, professional goals, specific anecdotes, etc.), timepoints for following up, and how to express your appreciation.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Even strong applicants can weaken their BS/MD application with poorly chosen or rushed recommendation letters. Here are some common mistakes — and how to avoid them:

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute: Last-minute requests often lead to generic, vague letters that don’t add much to your application. Recommenders need time to reflect, write thoughtfully, and include specific examples.
Depth Over Prestige: A letter from someone with an impressive title (like a department chair or well-known physician) isn’t helpful if they barely know you.
Don’t Overlap Recommenders’ Perspectives: If all your letters focus on the same thing, like academics, you miss the chance to show other important sides of your story. Instead, choose recommenders who can speak to different aspects of your experience such as leadership, research, or clinical involvement.

Letters of recommendation are more than just a requirement; they are significant endorsements of your potential as a future medical student and physician. By strategically selecting recommenders who can speak well to your strengths and character, you can significantly enhance your BS/MD application.

For a closer look at selecting the right recommenders, read our full blog article on Selecting the Right BS/MD Recommendation Letters.

Yours in Success,

Rishi Ray

Outperform BS/MD Coaching

Our team at Outperform BS/MD Coaching is dedicated to guiding you through the BS/MD application process. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to discuss strategies specific to your student’s unique situation.