Advice on LOR

[rarityforyou]

TX resident here, applying to both TMDSAS and out-of-state schools through AADSAS. I have a high DAT but a pretty average GPA. TX schools don’t require two science professor LORs, so my committee packet included: One science professor (also my research PI), Healthcare manager (not dental), Dentist I shadowed 100+ hours with, president of nonprofit I volunteer with. I just found out most OOS schools do require two science letters. I panicked and emailed every science prof I’ve had (not close with any). Most said no due to volume, but one said yes… and then told me upfront the letter would be generic and not good. Is it better to just submit it anyway to meet the requirement? Could a generic letter actually hurt me? if I miraculously hear back from a better professor later, can I delete this letter from AADSAS? I don't think I would submit the additional science letter to TMDSAS.

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[Mr.Smile12]

Welcome to the forums.

Actually, your committee letter is fine. It supersedes the individual letter requirements at most schools. So if you have a question check with the individuals AADSAS schools where you apply if they are hardcore about their 2 science professor letters, even if you only have one in a committee letter.

 

[rarityforyou]

Thank you for your response! That makes a lot of sense! I’ll double-check with the individual schools to be sure. Right now, the only schools on my list that are strict about having 2 science professor letters are UMich and UDM. I’m a Texas resident with a 3.72 GPA, ~3.6 science GPA, and a 27 AA / 30 TS/ 21 PAT. I haven’t finalized my AADSAS school list yet since I focusing on my Texas apps, but I have very close family ties to Michigan, so it’s really important to me to apply there. If you have any school suggestions with my stats lmk! I also have UMD, LSU, and UPenn in there (already emailed them about the science letter dilemma)

 

[Mr.Smile12]

The ADEA GoDental Virtual Fair is coming up. Have you reached out to the schools on your potential list?

At first blush without a WAMC, check LSU and Maryland's OOS chances. Perhaps with your metrics, but it's hard to call.