2nd Science Letter of Reference...2+ years out of Undergrad

[NeuroSpeare]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I applied this current cycle with only one science letter of reference, which cut down the number schools that I could apply to by quite a bit. Since I'll probably be reapplying in June :cry:, it's obviously in my best interest to find a 2nd science letter to extend my list of schools and give myself a better shot next time around.

The problem is that I have been out of school since 2011. Either I spam my old professors and (in the best case) get a very mild form letter with my grade on it OR I drop money and take a summer course at my local state U to get a fresh letter. The former option should likely yield me a letter before AMCAS opens. The latter would probably take until mid July (when the class is over).

EDIT: I should also mention that any course taken at my state U would be effectively a retake of a science class I've already completed...i.e. the college doesn't offer many (if any) upper div science courses that I haven't already taken. I'm not sure if this changes anything...

I'm planning to attend Georgetown's SMP this fall and I believe that I could also get a letter there...but even later into the cycle.

Anyone else faced with a similar dilemma? Which seems like the most effective option? Thanks for your help! 🙂

 

[NeuroSpeare]

shameless self bump...

 

[calgirl1234]

I applied this current cycle with only one science letter of reference, which cut down the number schools that I could apply to by quite a bit. Since I'll probably be reapplying in June :cry:, it's obviously in my best interest to find a 2nd science letter to extend my list of schools and give myself a better shot next time around.

The problem is that I have been out of school since 2011. Either I spam my old professors and (in the best case) get a very mild form letter with my grade on it OR I drop money and take a summer course at my local state U to get a fresh letter. The former option should likely yield me a letter before AMCAS opens. The latter would probably take until mid July (when the class is over).

EDIT: I should also mention that any course taken at my state U would be effectively a retake of a science class I've already completed...i.e. the college doesn't offer many (if any) upper div science courses that I haven't already taken. I'm not sure if this changes anything...

I'm planning to attend Georgetown's SMP this fall and I believe that I could also get a letter there...but even later into the cycle.

Anyone else faced with a similar dilemma? Which seems like the most effective option? Thanks for your help! 🙂

you should do the second option. LOR count as your secondaries not primaries so if you get it by mid- july and turn it in along with your secondaries you'll be fine!

 

[circulus vitios]

First option. If you're lucky they'll let you write your own LOR, in which case you, in your own words, just build yourself up as some sort of a god.

 

[dsoz]

Why not try both. If you succeed with the old prof letter, then count it as a bonus. A current prof could probably write a better letter.

Are you really saying that there is no science class that you can take that you have not had in the past? My problem is just the opposite. Too many classes that I want to take, and not enough time to take them.

Good luck. I am sorry to hear that you need to reapply. 🙁

dsoz

 

[NeuroSpeare]

Thanks for the responses, y'all.

Are you really saying that there is no science class that you can take that you have not had in the past? My problem is just the opposite. Too many classes that I want to take, and not enough time to take them.

Good luck. I am sorry to hear that you need to reapply. 🙁

dsoz

The CSU I would be taking classes doesn't have quite the selection of courses my undergrad UC had. Not to mention I'll be hypothetically taking a class over the summer, which further limits my choices to a handful of pre-reqs/lower division courses.

Thanks for the condolences, though. I'm still holding out on two decisions...but I'm not keeping my hopes up. 🙁