LOR from someone I volunteer for?

[shootbigshootbigger]

Hello!
So I meet with a "Buddy" who has survived a stroke and has aphasia. We chat a little and play games to combat the isolation that is common following brain injury.
I have been meeting with him and his wife for 2 years, and she has said that our meetings are the highlight of their week. She is very fond of me and thinks I will make a great doctor. Also, she is a writer.
If you were me, would you submit a letter from her? I am concerned that because she has no "credentials," adcoms may not be able to verify what she says.
Thank you!

Edit: It's part of what I do for a student-run organization that I am president of.

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[chilly_md]

How many letters do you currently plan on using?

 

[shootbigshootbigger]

How many letters do you currently plan on using?

I have 2 science, 2 non-science (1 humanities, 1 public health), 1 from PI (not a close relationship), 1 from employer (non-clinical).
Not sure if I will use them all, just what I have collected!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hello!
So I meet with a "Buddy" who has survived a stroke and has aphasia. We chat a little and play games to combat the isolation that is common following brain injury.
I have been meeting with him and his wife for 2 years, and she has said that our meetings are the highlight of their week. She is very fond of me and thinks I will make a great doctor. Also, she is a writer.
If you were me, would you submit a letter from her? I am concerned that because she has no "credentials," adcoms may not be able to verify what she says.
Thank you!

Edit: It's part of what I do for a student-run organization that I am president of.

I appreciate character references but they provide little value. Furthermore, it is not appropriate for a letter of evaluation. The relationship is not one reflecting a mentoring or academic relationship.

 

[chilly_md]

I have 2 science, 2 non-science (1 humanities, 1 public health), 1 from PI (not a close relationship), 1 from employer (non-clinical).
Not sure if I will use them all, just what I have collected!

I would not use the letter for the same reasons as Mr. Smile mentioned.

You can safely leave out the PI letter too.

 

[gyngyn]

This is not what we are looking for in an LOE.
We are looking for an objective assessment (to the degree possible).
This is not as cringe as a letter from your Mom, but it's in the same category.
...and, yes, we do get letters from Mom!

Here's what we are looking for: https://www.aamc.org/system/files?file=2019-09/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

 

[GoSpursGo]

Agree. If this is part of you formally volunteering through a program that connected you to this buddy then get a letter from your supervisor.