A List of Schools that Want a Non-Science LOR (and a question)

[JJMrK]

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So I did a bit of digging today and came up with a partial list of schools that want a non-sci LOR. All of this is based on information on their website as of May 11, 2009. I know for some people this isn't a problem, but for some it is. Hopefully this is useful, please add to it if you know of any others. Also, I'm curious about how strict some of these schools actually are with their non-sci requirements. For example, I know of at least one school on the list that asks for a nsLOR, but admitted at least one person without one. Please add this type of information if you're able.

Updated:

Colorado (link)- nsLOR can "add value", doesn't mention faculty ns
Creighton
Drexel
EVMS
Indiana- Can anyone confirm this?
Jefferson- 1 non-sci if possible, allows exemption by writing in secondary
Mount Sinai
Penn State (link)
UCSD- 1 non-sci preferred
UF JHMP
UMich- 1 non-sci preferred
VCU- They say they do, but I know someone who got in without one.
Maryland
Vermont- May be relaxed.
Rochester- REMOVED

 

[BlueElmo]

My non-science is written by a graduate student. I wonder if that will pass.

 

[Beta Cell]

You can add UF JHMP to that list (not sure on the regular admissions MD program though).

@Elmo: I've heard from a number of sources that graduate student recommendations aren't preferable. If that's all you can get right now, then go with it, but I know for a fact that any professor's recommendation looks better than a recommendation from a graduate student.

 

[Appless]

penn state requires one too. VCU is pretty lax about it, i called them and they said they will make exemptions possibly. Same goes for vermont. It all depends on the school. Some like creighton are insane and will not allow you to get out of that requirement no matter what. Rochester also does not require a non-sci LOR.

 

[Appless]

My non-science is written by a graduate student. I wonder if that will pass.

as long as that grad student gets its cosigned by the prof it will be fine...it not.....not so good 🙁

 

[0Complications]

University of Colorado also requires one. I'm not sure how strict they are though.

 

[BlueElmo]

as long as that grad student gets its cosigned by the prof it will be fine...it not.....not so good 🙁

It's not. W/e.

Jefferson also allows you to exempt by writing in the Secondary.

 

[0Complications]

Is this list still up to date?

 

[Appless]

Is this list still up to date?

apparently not? As rochester doesnt require a non-sci lor, unless they lied when they emailed me lol.

It looked mostly correct. I didnt think i was going to get a non-sci letter so i was desperatly emailing like 45 med schools to see if they needed them, thats how i found out about rochester.

 

[0Complications]

apparently not? As rochester doesnt require a non-sci lor, unless they lied when they emailed me lol.

Well, we should keep updating the original post with new info. As it stands we can use the info from the spreadsheet until it's disputed like Rochester.

 

[Jli]

Is this list still up to date?

not sure, but if it is this is great help.

 

[JJMrK]

Is this list still up to date?

It's from 2005.

Jefferson also allows you to exempt by writing in the Secondary.

Can you elaborate on that?



Updated:

Colorado (link)- nsLOR can "add value", doesn't mention faculty ns
Creighton
Drexel
EVMS
Indiana- Can anyone confirm this?
Jefferson- 1 non-sci if possible, allows exemption by writing in secondary
Mount Sinai
Penn State (link)
UCSD- 1 non-sci preferred
UF JHMP
UMich- 1 non-sci preferred
VCU- They say they do, but I know someone who got in without one.
Maryland
Vermont- May be relaxed.
Rochester- REMOVED

 

[0Complications]

I would go off of this data for schools listed. If I have time I will compile a list, unless someone else would like to do it.

http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletters.htm

 

[Pianoman32]

I'm pretty sure no school requires a non-science LOR if you get a committee letter.

 

[BlueElmo]

It's from 2005.

Can you elaborate on that?

Well you can request an exemption in the Secondary. If you visit their site, they say that.

 

[JJMrK]

I would go off of this data for schools listed. If I have time I will compile a list, unless someone else would like to do it.

http://www.aamc.org/students/amcas/faq/amcasletters.htm

That's a list of schools participating in the AMCAS LOR service. We're trying to compile a list of schools that don't require a non-sci LOR, or at least aren't very strict about it.

 

[0Complications]

That's a list of schools participating in the AMCAS LOR service. We're trying to compile a list of schools that don't require a non-sci LOR, or at least aren't very strict about it.

I understand that. If you click on the link it takes you to the schools LOR requirements. 😉

 

[JJMrK]

I understand that. If you click on the link it takes you to the schools LOR requirements. 😉

Yeah I know, but a list would be easier. lol

 

[Appless]

Can someone verify this? Just about all the non-science classes I took were taught by science professors ...

If you have a committe letter then that is all you need. The non-sci letter and 2 sci letters are often for students like me who go to a school that has no pre med advisory committe. Therefore I am not going to get a committee letter as no committee exists. However some committees may say they want a LOR from a non-sci prof so check with your school.

 

[0Complications]

Can someone verify this? Just about all the non-science classes I took were taught by science professors ...

What classes?

I'm going by dept. I'm getting my non-science through a prof in the Psych dept. Even though she was my S&P and research methods prof, I'm going off of what med schools use to classify my courses. If they are not science classes in AMCAS, I'm going to say it's not a science prof.

 

[biojunky]

I know this thread is old, but my question fits well here... so maybe someone will respond... I'm going to be taking a summer class or two to get that non-sci letter, but most of summer classes are taught by Grad students and there is no other professor to co-sign the letter. Should I do it anyway? Does it make a difference if the Grad student is graduating this spring (so they might have a PhD or at least a Masters)?
All of these websites say "from a science/non-science 'faculty'" and I think grad students would count as faculty... so does that mean it's ok?
I either have to stick with a grad student from summer or spend the time now to take an additional class this quarter (which will take away time from MCAT studying- NOT good) just for the sake of a letter. Any suggestions?

 

[chickensandwich]

I know this thread is old, but my question fits well here... so maybe someone will respond... I'm going to be taking a summer class or two to get that non-sci letter, but most of summer classes are taught by Grad students and there is no other professor to co-sign the letter. Should I do it anyway? Does it make a difference if the Grad student is graduating this spring (so they might have a PhD or at least a Masters)?
All of these websites say "from a science/non-science 'faculty'" and I think grad students would count as faculty... so does that mean it's ok?
I either have to stick with a grad student from summer or spend the time now to take an additional class this quarter (which will take away time from MCAT studying- NOT good) just for the sake of a letter. Any suggestions?

i had this exact scenario where i took a summer class with a grad/phd student who hadn't started his thesis yet. i talked with a few schools about this, and the general comments i got was that if he was the *only* instructor of the class, it was fine. (in contrast, my science lors were written by grad students but cosigned by professors because the professors were the main instructors, the grad students were just the ones who led discussions, had more office hours, etc.) i was completely fine this cycle with these lors 🙂🙂

 

[Naijaboiler]

So I did a bit of digging today and came up with a partial list of schools that want a non-sci LOR. All of this is based on information on their website as of May 11, 2009. I know for some people this isn't a problem, but for some it is. Hopefully this is useful, please add to it if you know of any others. Also, I'm curious about how strict some of these schools actually are with their non-sci requirements. For example, I know of at least one school on the list that asks for a nsLOR, but admitted at least one person without one. Please add this type of information if you're able.

Updated:

Colorado (link)- nsLOR can "add value", doesn't mention faculty ns
Creighton
Drexel
EVMS
Indiana- Can anyone confirm this?
Jefferson- 1 non-sci if possible, allows exemption by writing in secondary
Mount Sinai
Penn State (link)
UCSD- 1 non-sci preferred
UF JHMP
UMich- 1 non-sci preferred
VCU- They say they do, but I know someone who got in without one.
Maryland
Vermont- May be relaxed.
Rochester- REMOVED

I know for a fact that Indiana Uni's policy is not too strict. I have personally spoken to the director about it since im non-trad and I havent taken any non-science class in like 8 years or so.

 

[biojunky]

i had this exact scenario where i took a summer class with a grad/phd student who hadn't started his thesis yet. i talked with a few schools about this, and the general comments i got was that if he was the *only* instructor of the class, it was fine. (in contrast, my science lors were written by grad students but cosigned by professors because the professors were the main instructors, the grad students were just the ones who led discussions, had more office hours, etc.) i was completely fine this cycle with these lors 🙂🙂

Thanks for your response! That puts me to rest... kinda