Any schools that DO NOT require a non-science letter of recommendation?

[bensherman]

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My current letters of recommendation come from:

2 science professors
1 composite letter with comments from 4 science professors (counts as one science stand alone letter)
1 letter from a post-doc in a lab I worked in for a year
1 letter from an MD i interned with for a year
1 letter from a physical therapist I worked with for a year

I currently do not have a non-science letter of recommendation. Which schools require one non-science LOR? Is there a list where I can find this information, or would I have to visit each individual school's website?

Thanks for the help!

 

[fishbait63]

It really depends on what you interpret yourself as non-science I got by a lot of schools using a MD in internal medicine as my non-science (I was volunteering in their clinic and working on research in health disparities), so it depends on what the MD you interned with is and what you did with them then call some schools and see what they have to say or what they have to say about the PT letter. Some schools are more stringent then others.

 

[deleted357625]

non-science i would assume would be any LOR that is not coming from a science faculty or PI.

"1 letter from an MD i interned with for a year"
"1 letter from a physical therapist I worked with for a year"
These would be good

 

[Barcu]

I agree with the two posters above.

I think as long as they weren't a science professor, they count as non-science. However, if you can somehow get a non-science professor, I really think that would help you out.

 

[bensherman]

ohh I see. I was under the impression that "non science" meant "non science academic." I think I should rephrase my question and ask if any schools require "non science academic" letters of rec to apply

 

[ILikeDrugs]

I was under the impression that "non-science professor" meant a professor from a non-science department, as in English, history, etc.

 

[Barcu]

ohh I see. I was under the impression that "non science" meant "non science academic." I think I should rephrase my question and ask if any schools require "non science academic" letters of rec to apply

I would just get a non-science academic professor.

Sure, it may be generic. But as long as it is not negative, and you have some other good recs elsewhere, you should be ok. Professors know and accept the fact (for the most part) that they will write letters for students they don't know as well. It should be alright. If you read these boards, many applicants come on stating they are having trouble getting letters, so it's not an uncommon problem.

You also have the benefit of not worrying about requirements.

 

[alwaysaangel]

Yes, in general some schools require a non-science letter from faculty who taught you.

I usually tell people the safe bet is:
2 science faculty
1 non-science faculty
1 OTHER

Minimum. Yes, you could apply and find schools who do not require a non-science faculty letter. But I do not know of an all inclusive list with such information.

Best bet is to find a small non-science course where you could get an LOR or ask a TA to write you a letter for a small group discussion in a non-science course and get the professor to cosign it.