How to Request Strong Recommendation Letters for BS/MD Programs

Read Time: 4 minutes

Good morning parents and future doctors,

In the competitive world of BS/MD admissions, a strong letter of recommendation can be a key factor that sets your application apart. However, many students underestimate its impact and miss the opportunity to secure a powerful endorsement—costing students a chance to stand out or compensate for weak points in their application.

To help you secure compelling, personalized letters of recommendation (LORs), we’ve outlined our top strategies for getting LORs that strengthen and differentiate your BS/MD application.

Understand the Impact of a Strong Recommendation

In BS/MD admissions, where applicants often share similar GPAs, test scores, and extracurriculars, strong letters of recommendation can provide a decisive edge. A great letter goes beyond academic skills and being friendly—it provides an authentic picture of your character, motivations, work ethic, and readiness for the expectations of a BS/MD program. For example, a teacher who can describe how you led a classroom discussion on bioethics, or how you took initiative during a group project on healthcare disparities, will create a more memorable impression. Admissions committees look for letters that offer personal insights, so it’s crucial to ensure your recommenders can provide this depth.

A generic or impersonal letter can unintentionally suggest a lack of enthusiasm, harming your chances. That’s why it’s so important to choose your recommenders carefully and approach them with thought and intention.

Step 1: Identify Core Qualities to Highlight

Before reaching out, take time to reflect on what you want admissions officers to learn about you from that letter. Aim for three to four attributes that align with both your profile and the values that BS/MD programs consistently seek in future physicians. These might include:

Leadership: Have you taken initiative in class, research, or community service? Did you lead a fundraiser, organize a tutoring program, or drive momentum on a group project?
Compassion: Are you someone who goes out of your way to help others, whether through clinical volunteering, peer mentoring, or even small acts of kindness teachers might have noticed?
Critical Thinking: Can your recommender speak to how you analyze problems, contribute in class discussions, or tackle complex topics in science or ethics?
Resilience: Have you overcome academic or personal challenges? If a teacher saw you persist through a tough course or bounce back from setbacks, that can make for a powerful anecdote.

If you’re asking for multiple letters, try to ensure they complement rather than repeat each other. Ideally, each letter should cover a different facet of your character, painting a well-rounded picture for admissions committees.

Review the mission statements of your target BS/MD programs. Many emphasize qualities like service, integrity, and a commitment to underserved communities. When your recommenders speak to values that echo the program’s own goals, it shows alignment and makes your application more compelling.

Step 2: Provide Specific Stories to Your Recommenders

After identifying the key traits you want emphasized, the next step is to support your recommenders with real-life examples that bring those qualities to life. The strongest letters don’t just say you’re a leader or compassionate, they show it through compelling anecdotes.

Specific stories give your recommender a clear narrative to build on, making their letter more persuasive, memorable, and authentic. They also help avoid vague or overused phrases like “hardworking” or “great student.”

Use this actionable framework to prepare your stories:

Be Specific: Set the scene by explaining the background. What was the setting? What challenge or opportunity did you face?
Show Action: Describe exactly what you did. Talk about your role, leadership, or initiative.
Share the Impact: Explain the outcome. Did someone benefit? Did something improve? Did you grow personally?
Connect It to Medicine (If Applicable): Briefly connect the story to qualities essential for future physicians, like compassion, responsibility, collaboration, or resilience.

Here are some examples of how you can provide stories following this framework:

Leadership Example

“During a particularly challenging chemistry unit on stoichiometry, I noticed many peers struggling and falling behind. I took the initiative to create and lead a peer-led study group, developing targeted lesson plans and hands-on practice sessions. Over the course of four weeks, attendance doubled, and group members’ average test scores increased by X%. This experience sharpened my skills in communication, teamwork, and mentoring which are abilities critical for effective leadership in healthcare.”

Be Specific: “In my chemistry class, many students struggled with unit conversions.”
Show Action: “I initiated and led a weekly study group, creating custom guides and helping classmates practice.”
Share the Impact: “Their test scores improved significantly, and the group became a trusted resource.”
Connect It to Medicine: “This experience developed my skills in communication, teamwork, and mentoring which are key traits for a physician guiding a care team.”

Compassion Example

“While volunteering at a local nursing home, I observed that many residents were socially isolated, which affected their emotional well-being. I began dedicating time to learn each resident’s personal history and interests, organizing tailored activities like music sessions and storytelling hours. One resident, who rarely spoke, became more engaged and began participating in group discussions, leading to noticeable improvements in mood and social interaction. This reinforced my commitment to empathetic, patient-centered care and the power of human connection in healing.”

Be Specific: “While volunteering at a nursing home, I noticed some residents were lonely and withdrawn.”
Show Action: “I spent time learning their favorite activities and engaged with them regularly.”
Share the Impact: “One resident especially opened up and showed visible improvement in mood and social interaction.”
Connect It to Medicine: “This deepened my understanding of empathy and patient-centered care, vital aspects in medicine.”

Step 3: Approach Respectfully and Simplify the Process

When requesting a letter of recommendation, your goal is to be professional, organized, and grateful. This helps your recommender write the strongest possible letter without added stress. Here’s how to do it effectively:

Provide Complete Materials: Make it easy for your recommender by providing everything they need upfront. Share a clear, updated resume focused on your BS/MD achievements, a brief summary of the programs you’re applying to with key qualities they value, and detailed submission instructions including the platform, your name, and deadlines. This helps your recommender write a strong, tailored letter without confusion or delay.
Set Clear Deadlines: Respecting your recommender’s time is essential. Many teachers and mentors write multiple letters during the application season, so giving them plenty of notice and clear timelines shows consideration.
- Give at Least Three Months’ Notice: This advance warning helps them fit your letter into their schedule without feeling rushed. Suggest a deadline at least one week before the official due date. This buffer gives your recommender breathing room and time to make edits if needed.
- Send Polite Reminders: As deadlines approach, send gentle reminders—one about two weeks before, and another 3–4 days before the final due date—to keep your request on their radar without pressure.
Show Genuine Gratitude: Writing a thoughtful recommendation is time-consuming and meaningful. Showing appreciation strengthens your relationship and encourages future support.
- Express Thanks When Asking: Be warm and professional in your initial request, acknowledging the effort you’re asking for.
- Follow Up After Submission: A handwritten note, a heartfelt email, or even a small token of thanks goes a long way. It shows you value their time and support.
- Maintain the Relationship: A strong connection with your recommenders can provide mentorship and opportunities beyond your current application.

By thoughtfully preparing your request and supporting your recommenders every step of the way, you increase the chances of receiving a powerful, detailed letter that truly demonstrates your strengths.

For a ready-to-use email template on requesting and following up, check out the full blog post here.

Build Strong Relationships Early

Behind every exceptional recommendation letter is a genuine connection. A teacher who knows you well—how you think, grow, and contribute—is far more likely to write a letter that stands out. That kind of familiarity doesn’t happen overnight, which is why it’s critical to begin building relationships early.

Start by participating actively in class and asking thoughtful questions:

If a concept intrigues you, follow up after class or during office hours.
For example: if you’re learning about genetic inheritance in biology, you might ask how emerging technologies like CRISPR are used to treat inherited diseases. This kind of curiosity not only deepens your understanding but signals to your teacher that you’re thinking critically and connecting classroom material to real-world medical challenges.

Find ways to engage outside the classroom, too. Maybe you update your teacher on your summer hospital volunteering experience or ask them for feedback on your science fair project. Even small actions like these help teachers connect your academic growth to your broader goals in medicine.

When the time comes to ask for a recommendation, a teacher who’s seen your progression and knows your aspirations is far more equipped to write a detailed, personalized letter.

Don’t wait until senior year—start building these connections now. This helps give your recommenders the insight and inspiration they need to strongly support your BS/MD journey. Read more here.

Additional Tips for Success

Choose the Right Recommenders: Select recommenders who have seen you grow—inside and outside the classroom. A teacher who can speak to your leadership during a group project or your resilience after a setback will write a far more compelling letter than one who only knows your test scores.
Maintain Professionalism: Treat every email or message as a formal interaction. Use clear subject lines, respectful greetings, and concise language. Always proofread before hitting send.
Avoid Overloading: Your goal is to make the process easy. Bundle your materials in one email, label your documents clearly (e.g., “FirstName_LastName_Resume.pdf”), and avoid overwhelming your recommender with unnecessary information.

By strategically requesting strong recommendation letters, you can significantly strengthen your BS/MD application.

Through planning ahead, providing specific insights, and approaching your recommenders professionally, you set yourself apart when recommenders are often writing hundreds of letters for other students.

To explore further into these strategies and access our proven framework, read our full blog article here.

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 tailored to your unique situation.