Am I screwed? No science LOR.

[pre med 2014]

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I have been out of college for a couple of years when I apply. How lenient are schools about making exceptions to science professor LORs?

Does a letter from a PI for undergrad research count as one science letter?

Do most schools require 2 letters? Should I start randomly emailing professors I've had desperately pleading for a letter even though they won't remember me?

 

[touchpause13]

I have been out of college for a couple of years when I apply. How lenient are schools about making exceptions to science professor LORs?

Does a letter from a PI for undergrad research count as one science letter?

Do most schools require 2 letters? Should I start randomly emailing professors I've had desperately pleading for a letter even though they won't remember me?

yes you are screwed you need 2 science LOR or else you will only be able to apply to a small handful of schools. - the only one i can think of that does not require a science LOR is PCOM

I'm assuming you don't have a committee letter either

 

[wehttamrrek]

You could find an affordable in-state school, take 2 classes and get to know your professors in hopes they will write you letters. It may delay you but you're not screwed by any means.

 

[pre med 2014]

No committee letter. I'm a late bloomer underdog.

 

[hopefulDO08]

Email every science professor that gave you an A. Explain your situation. I'm sure this isn't the first time that someone a few years out of college has asked them for one. It may not be an incredible letter or anything, but I'm sure you can get 2 letters to satisfy the requirement. Make sure you have an outstanding DO letter to make up for it.

 

[abolt18]

Still got plenty of time. I forgot to get a 2nd science letter until mid-July. I hurried and called on of my favorite science profs that I still saw around and chatted with and I asked him for a letter, explaining to him I hadn't realized I needed 2 science. He wrote me one the next week and I was fine. So considering that it's still the beginning of March, you have loads of time. Just don't waste it.

 

[IniestaDeMiVida]

I'm in Texas so it may not apply to your situation, but I was three years out of school and had a graduate finance professor, graduate management professor, and a lab supervisor write my letters and I had no problems.

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

A professor wrote a letter this year for a class I took three years ago. The toughest part was sitting in his office and asking for it. Then he told me to "go away" for fifteen minutes so he could review his grade book and remember as much as he could about me. He had the letter ready for me later that day.

 

[rzoo14]

Email every science professor that gave you an A. Explain your situation. I'm sure this isn't the first time that someone a few years out of college has asked them for one. It may not be an incredible letter or anything, but I'm sure you can get 2 letters to satisfy the requirement. Make sure you have an outstanding DO letter to make up for it.

+1. Even if the letters you get are neutral, it won't hurt you. Make sure the things you do have control over are above average ie. PS, MCAT, other LOR, secondary essays.

 

[kami333]

One of my science letters was from a prof I had 6 years ago during my postbacc, the other letter and non-science were from 3 years ago. And I was never the type to keep in touch. I ended up emailing 7 professors to get my 2 science, only 1 flat out said no and I ended up not hearing back from the others (granted I probably should have followed up but I had 2 yes’s at that point).

I also did have 2 really good PI letters that I used as much as possible but there were a few schools that really didn't want to budge on their letter requirements.

 

[pre med 2014]

A professor wrote a letter this year for a class I took three years ago. The toughest part was sitting in his office and asking for it. Then he told me to "go away" for fifteen minutes so he could review his grade book and remember as much as he could about me. He had the letter ready for me later that day.

So are you saying go into their office instead of email because it'll be harder for them to say no?

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

So are you saying go into their office instead of email because it'll be harder for them to say no?

I absolutely believe it's better to ask face to face if possible. Especially if its been a long time since you took a class. First, they will be more likely to recognize your face than your name in an email. Second, they can't ignore your request, you're right there and they will have to deal with the issue right away. Either they say yes or no, and you move on (it is harder for them to say no). I asked another professor, he said yes, and then flaked out on me later on. No hurt feelings, it happens. Just be friendly, not pushy, and ask as many professors as you can.

 

[Kahuku Monkey]

Also, some schools will interview you when your file isn't complete, meaning all your letters aren't turned in. But many will wait until your file is complete to review it and give you an interview. Check with the schools you are applying to, but get all your letters as soon as possible.

 

[backsideattack1]

There are plenty of schools that understand the nontrad applicants. Just holler at them and see

 

[pre med 2014]

And can you have too many letters that it would hurt you? 3-4 shadowing letters, employer letter, 2 science letters and a research letter. That's about 7-8 letters that I would have. Is that normal?

I suppose I could have the MD docs only send to AMCAS and the DO docs only send to AACOMAS

 

[backsideattack1]

I had 9 by the time I applied. Certain schools was certain letters, so you have to ensure you are picking the right 3-5 letters for each school

 

[MedWonk]

I have been out of college for a couple of years when I apply. How lenient are schools about making exceptions to science professor LORs?

Does a letter from a PI for undergrad research count as one science letter?

Do most schools require 2 letters? Should I start randomly emailing professors I've had desperately pleading for a letter even though they won't remember me?

You may be surprised by your prof's willingness to write you an LOR, assuming you did well in the course. Usually, they'll do it. They'll likely ask for a CV/Resume, personal statement, and will either want to meet with you or chat with you over the phone to get a feel for you as a person.

In the unlikely event that doesn't happen, take a couple science classes at a local college, do well, and ask your prof for a letter.

 

[toxicwombat]

And can you have too many letters that it would hurt you? 3-4 shadowing letters, employer letter, 2 science letters and a research letter. That's about 7-8 letters that I would have. Is that normal?

I suppose I could have the MD docs only send to AMCAS and the DO docs only send to AACOMAS

That would be fine. Keep in mind that you won't be sending all of those letters to every school. But it certainly helps to have a good variety, especially since some schools are REALLY picky when it comes to what qualifies as a science letter (perhaps not so much for DO schools, but I had this problem for a few MD schools).

As for MD/DO letters, send both to the DO schools (assuming your MD letter is at least decent otherwise just send the DO one) but only send the DO letter to the MD schools. I suppose you could send the DO letter to MD schools as well but that seems a little silly considering how the physician probably talks about your understanding of osteopathic philosophy, etc.