Applying without Prof References

[IOwnAndPwnU]

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Canadian applicant here. I was not aware that many of the American med schools required letters of recommendation from professors that taught you a course. I prepared for 2 references from research supervisors and 1 from an extra-curricular that I am in charge of. Should I just save my money and not apply to those schools that explicitly require references from professors? Do ALL schools need these professor letters or just the ones that explicitly state them? e.g. I think I might be okay for Albert Einstein, Case Western, Yale.

 

[ChrisMack390]

Is there no possible way you can get one? It doesn't have to be the greatest thing ever put to paper, just something from someone who actually saw you in an academic setting.

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

I'm realizing that I may just have to do that...darn, this going to delay my application quite a bit.

 

[NickNaylor]

It is the rule rather than the exception that schools require letters from professors that have actually taught you. Note that while a committee letter will fulfill these requirements at most schools, submitting just a committee letter really isn't a great idea (in case you were thinking of doing that). They don't typically add much value apart from their general summary recommendation of you and their ranking of you within their applicant pool.

In your particular case, many schools will accept a research letter in lieu of a letter from a professor who taught you in a science-based course. However, at most schools you will still be on the hook for an additional science letter and a non-science letter from professors.

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

Yeah, I wish I had known that before. My fault completely (obviously).

After a professor confirms that they'll write me a LOR, and I enter in their contact details on AMCAS, I can submit the primary application, right? Or should I wait till the letter is received? Just wondering how to submit this ASAP. (My transcript was only sent yesterday so I expect it could still take some time to verify). Thanks for any advice.

 

[NickNaylor]

Yeah, I wish I had known that before. My fault completely (obviously).

After a professor confirms that they'll write me a LOR, and I enter in their contact details on AMCAS, I can submit the primary application, right? Or should I wait till the letter is received? Just wondering how to submit this ASAP. (My transcript was only sent yesterday so I expect it could still take some time to verify). Thanks for any advice.

It's been a while since I used AMCAS, but I believe you can add a single letter to AMCAS and then submit your application while adding additional letters. You may not have to add a letter at all. I don't know. Check the AMCAS manual.

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

I just sent out LOR requests to a Neuroscience, Pharmacology (2 Science) and 2 Psychology (2 non-Science) professors. Do I need references from other faculties? I know some schools said LORs should be from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, but really, I only took those courses in first year with huge class sizes (there is something unique about me as a student in each course listed above)

 

[ChrisMack390]

As long as you get 1-2 science and 1 of the psych profs to respond you will be good with those at nearly all schools.

 

[IOwnAndPwnU]

Great, thanks for all the help everyone!