Am I screwed? (Too few LORs)

[banister]

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So I only have 3 LOR. One is kinda science (bioengineering), 1 PI, and 1 from a staff worker of a student organization). I realize most schools want 2 science ones, but I didn't really know beforehand and don't know most of my science teachers well enough to ask for one last minute.

I have gotten secondaries from most schools I applied to, but am worried that my LORs do not meet the basic requirements. Can you advise me if I should even send secondaries to schools that say 2 science letters are a requirement.

Oh and in case any of you are wondering, I have a 3.8 BCPM, 3.7 overall (Engineering major from USNews top 5 school) and 35 MCAT

 

[TopSecret]

So I only have 3 LOR. One is kinda science (bioengineering), 1 PI, and 1 from a staff worker of a student organization). I realize most schools want 2 science ones, but I didn't really know beforehand and don't know most of my science teachers well enough to ask for one last minute.

I have gotten secondaries from most schools I applied to, but am worried that my LORs do not meet the basic requirements. Can you advise me if I should even send secondaries to schools that say 2 science letters are a requirement.

Oh and in case any of you are wondering, I have a 3.8 BCPM, 3.7 overall (Engineering major from USNews top 5 school) and 35 MCAT

Excellent numbers. You may want to try contacting the TA's you know best and see if you could have one of them draft the letter of recommendation for the prof to sign.

 

[anxiousteen]

does your school have a committee letter?

if yes, the LORs don't matter as long as they fulfill your school's requirement

 

[banister]

Nope, there is no committee letter available from my school. =(

 

[TopSecret]

It really isn't that hard to get a letter of recommendation. Just bring your CV and personal statement to a scheduled meeting with a science prof and talk about 1) your excellent performance in his or her course(s) 2) the memorable lectures or some other aspect of the course you liked 3) your career goals 4) your success in securing secondaries and 5) the need for a supportive letter from a science professor to fulfill your career aspirations. Last but not least, look confident (wear a tie and nice shoes to the meeting) and ask politely.

 

[UnfeatyOblation]

If I were you, I'd try to get another science letter. I don't think you'll meet the requirements at a lot of schools.

 

[ash914]

I know this question seems a little stupid, but can a research adviser count as one of the science LOR's even if you've never officially had them for class?

 

[UnfeatyOblation]

I know this question seems a little stupid, but can a research adviser count as one of the science LOR's even if you've never officially had them for class?

I'd say they count more often than not. But still, there are schools that are pretty anal about it. I'd check with each school you're applying and/or have an extra science faculty letter just in case.

 

[Jolt21]

I'd say they count more often than not.

i would say flat out NO.

schools are pretty specific when they say science profs whom you have had a class with. i can't imagine stretching a research advisor in any fashion to fit this category.

sorry kid, but this is tuff you have to read/learn about while you are taking classes so you can reach out to the science profs.

if i were you, i'd do what TopSecret said and meet with a science prof or two. BUT, i wouldn't want him to write it after 1 meeting. I would say meet with them at least twice. discuss your goals, what you've accomplished so far, etc. let them talk to you too about their experiences. in my opinion, the best letter you can get is a letter that also has personal things mixed in with the academic. i know its late, you should still aim for those. take the prof out to coffee or something so you can meet in a more social setting. good luck.

 

[austinap]

i would say flat out NO.

schools are pretty specific when they say science profs whom you have had a class with. i can't imagine stretching a research advisor in any fashion to fit this category.

sorry kid, but this is tuff you have to read/learn about while you are taking classes so you can reach out to the science profs.

if i were you, i'd do what TopSecret said and meet with a science prof or two. BUT, i wouldn't want him to write it after 1 meeting. I would say meet with them at least twice. discuss your goals, what you've accomplished so far, etc. let them talk to you too about their experiences. in my opinion, the best letter you can get is a letter that also has personal things mixed in with the academic. i know its late, you should still aim for those. take the prof out to coffee or something so you can meet in a more social setting. good luck.

The OP said he's at a top five school, so I think don't think your advice is very good here. Getting one meeting with a prof at that level is tough enough. If you try to get two, they'll perceive it as you wasting their time. Most won't even have the time to get a cup of coffee, and a fifteen minute meeting in their office is probably the most you'll be able to get. There are obviously going to be exceptions, but that's the rule.

Did you get to know any of the TAs for science classes very well? If so, they can write great letters for you since they actually know your performance quite well, and the professor for the class can sign off on them so it will actually count as a science letter.

I also think that most schools will count a letter from your PI as a science letter (how is that not science??). If you've taken research for credit, you should be safe, but another letter won't hurt you a bit.

 

[ash914]

i would say flat out NO.

schools are pretty specific when they say science profs whom you have had a class with. i can't imagine stretching a research advisor in any fashion to fit this category.

sorry kid, but this is tuff you have to read/learn about while you are taking classes so you can reach out to the science profs.

if i were you, i'd do what TopSecret said and meet with a science prof or two. BUT, i wouldn't want him to write it after 1 meeting. I would say meet with them at least twice. discuss your goals, what you've accomplished so far, etc. let them talk to you too about their experiences. in my opinion, the best letter you can get is a letter that also has personal things mixed in with the academic. i know its late, you should still aim for those. take the prof out to coffee or something so you can meet in a more social setting. good luck.

I'll be a sophomore in the fall, so I am finding this stuff out early. I was just trying to figure that out for future reference. I might take a course with my research adviser and get a letter after that, or just ask 2 other profs when the time comes. Thanks for the info, but you really shouldn't assume the worst.