Are there schools that REQUIRE character reference type recommendation letters?

[alloutboy]

I have 3 recommendation letters, all from science professors and I was just wondering if there are schools that require letters from non-teacher/non-professor authors.

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[cbear]

north dakota makes you get one from a friend/roommate/ significant other (hopefully not an ex, lol).

 

[Avoidthetiger]

Many schools want a non-science professor.

Many schools don't care if it is a professor or not -- but want you to have people that know you very well.

Many DO schools want a DO LOR.

 

[eablackwell]

Many schools ( like Einstein) require a major letter (which for many is non-science) and most others require a non-science letter.

There are some schools that require peer/Character letters for their secondary. Off the top of my head the ones I can think of are ucf, uf, and I believe (but not 100% sure) usf.

 

[venacontracta]

Yes there are. I eliminated these schools from my list of potential schools because they require these sorts of letters - any school for which a committee letter does not fully fulfill LOR requirements is one that is too peculiar and annoying enough for me to bother with. This is not a comprehensive list.

I'd love to know why the Florida schools are so into this kind of thing.

U of Alabama School of Medicine
"Strongly recommends" but does not require that applicants submit two additional personal letters of recommendation in addition to the committee letter

U of Central Florida
Requires two additional character letters (beyond committee letter), one of which can be from a peer

U of South Florida
Requires two additional character letters (beyond committee letter)

Indiana University
Requires one personal letter of recommendation "To be completed by a person who has known you for several years and who can evaluate your personality, character, and general fitness for the study and practice of medicine." in addition to academic letters of recommendation

U of North Dakota
Requires character letter. "These recommendations should include a letter from a peer, such as a roommate, spouse or friend and a letter from a science instructor."

U of Florida
Requires "1 character reference FROM A PEER (friend, classmate, co-worker)"

U of Wisconsin Madison
"One committee letter and one individual letter from a nonacademic source (someone other than a faculty or family member or personal friend)"

 

[eablackwell]

Being a Floridian I was unable to bypass applying to 3 of my state schools, so I knew I'd need these ahead of time. My vice principal's letter and my peer letter were my first in AMCAS. Honestly, I found these easier to get in a timely manner than some of the prof letters.

 

[HakunaMatata22]

I have 3 recommendation letters, all from science professors and I was just wondering if there are schools that require letters from non-teacher/non-professor authors.

Yes, I believe University of Wisconsin-Madison asks for a non-academic letter as their fourth LOR requirement.

 

[venacontracta]

Yes, I believe University of Wisconsin-Madison asks for a non-academic letter as their fourth LOR requirement.

from their website

"One committee letter and one individual letter from a nonacademic source (someone other than a faculty or family member or personal friend)"