2 Science/1 "Nonscience" LORs

[Alvarez13]

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I'm sure the answer is out there, but I can't find what I'm looking for.

1) Most schools want 2 Science/1 Nonscience LORs. I'm good on the sciences, but I haven't had a nonscience class in 5 years (I'm a non-trad). I have two amazing employer letters and one from a doctor (5 total). Can I substitute those at most schools for the nonscience?

I'll probably have to contact most of the schools on my list, but I figured I'd put it out there and see what I get.

2) Do all letters have to be signed? Two of my writers barely know how to use a computer, let alone try to add a signature through fax or scan...lol. Is this an absolute MUST? Also, do all letters need some sort of official letter head?

Ok, I'm done...Thanks!

 

[witness23]

1. nah, they want non-science faculty letter. those letters you speak of may make for great additional letters. however, you gotta cop that AO (technology)* letter yo
2. yes to all parts (i would believe)

* its a bad joke, ignore if you don't get it

 

[Alvarez13]

My last two years were nothing but engineering classes and I've been out of school for two years working. My post-bac has only been organic chem and bio. What would someone in my shoes do? Is engineering "nonscience" (sounds dumb)? Does "nonscience" = non-BCMP?

 

[pietachok]

I'm also a non-trad.

No, engineering isn't a non-science LOR.
You might be able to use the employer rec at some schools, but not all schools. It's going to go 2ndary by 2ndary. Once you have been out of school for 2 years, many institutions allow you to forgo a committee letter and/or use a employer LOR to replace another requested one...however, there are still PLENTY of schools that will require a non-science LOR from a former instructor.

 

[nontrdgsbuiucmd]

I had this experience too, except that it was far more than 2 or 5 years since my last non-science class.. more like 10 years. I called the schools, every one of them was fine with sending in a substitute letter in lieu of 2 science/1 non-science. But they did seem to need to check the file to indicate which letters would be coming in; I would recommend calling every school to explain the situation.

Signing letters? I'd used a letter service; there were multiple options for a recommender to send in a letter. One option was to type it online & send in an electronic signature; another was that I would print out a coverletter (from the letter service) and the recommender would type out (or write) a letter and mail it in; took a little longer but no problem here for technophobe letter writers. I suspect schools would not look kindly on LORs that were not signed.

 

[Ilovewater]

I have a question regarding the science letters. I've already submitted my AMCAS, so I can't change my LORs sent to the schools anymore, but I'd still like to know. I used my research mentor's letter as a science letter? Does that count. I saw some schools stated that they want a letter from a science faculty whom you have taken a class with. Well, I took a class called "Undergraduate Research" so I got a grade and credit for being in the lab with my research mentor. Does that still count as a science letter? Thanks in advance for answering!

 

[JJMrK]

If you can't get a non-science letter there are still plenty of schools you can apply to.

Check out this thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=626907

 

[JJMrK]

I have a question regarding the science letters. I've already submitted my AMCAS, so I can't change my LORs sent to the schools anymore, but I'd still like to know. I used my research mentor's letter as a science letter? Does that count. I saw some schools stated that they want a letter from a science faculty whom you have taken a class with. Well, I took a class called "Undergraduate Research" so I got a grade and credit for being in the lab with my research mentor. Does that still count as a science letter? Thanks in advance for answering!

Maybe, maybe not. It was technically a class that you got credit for so there's a point for you.