Can a LOR from a professor at a dental school be counted as a "Sci Prof LOR"?

[zenith92]

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My apologies for consecutive postings related to LORs.

I have known a professor at a dental school* for quite a while, and I was wondering if her letter can be counted as a science prof. letter of recommendation.
(*Canadian dental school, so she does not have any affiliations with adcoms at American schools")

Obviously she hasn't taught me directly but she has mentioned (when I asked earlier if it would be possible for her to write me a LOR) that she will be able to demonstrate my strength in academics and scholastic ability in the letter. Most importantly, she has known me for a while so she has a lot to say about my personality.

My question is, will it be allowed to use her LOR as a "Letter from Science Professor"?

If I had strong and very personal LORs from my undergraduate professors, I would definitely go with theirs, but I've been having a hard time finding professors who would be able to write such letters... I'm thinking of this as a desperate last resort and would like to ask your opinions on this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[doc toothache]

There is usually a confusion between "a" professor and "your" professor.

 

[zenith92]

There is usually a confusion between "a" professor and "your" professor.

The thing is, strictly speaking, ADEA guideline on LOR doesn't specifically differentiate between "a" professor and "one's" professor, and I'm wondering whether it does really matter.

 

[doc toothache]

The thing is, strictly speaking, ADEA guideline on LOR doesn't specifically differentiate between "a" professor and "one's" professor, and I'm wondering whether it does really matter.

Strictly speaking, it is a school specific not an ADEA guideline. And it does matter.

 

[soyousayWTH]

Dentist letter should be the "additional letter" submitted for shadowing and experience. I don't believe it counts as a science professor since schools require professors to add which course they taught you when submitting letter and when....

 

[MBlue16]

The easiest guideline to me is that "Science professor" = those who taught you lessons and gave you grades.

 

[zenith92]

Dentist letter should be the "additional letter" submitted for shadowing and experience. I don't believe it counts as a science professor since schools require professors to add which course they taught you when submitting letter and when....

I already have a dentist letter from a dentist I shadowed.

The professor I talked about in my original post is a currently working dentist and also a professor at a Canadian dental school. I was thinking of putting her letter under 'science professor' category if allowed.

And really? I didn't know they required such things. Does that mean we always need to get letters from professors who taught us in class?

 

[zenith92]

Strictly speaking, it is a school specific not an ADEA guideline. And it does matter.

Just checked the guidelines on the school websites and didn't find anything specifying it. Mind if I ask based on what you are saying it does matter? And thanks for your replies 🙂

 

[ModifiedBass]

The whole purpose of professor based LORs are to get recommendations from professors that have taught you/have graded your work. I don't think there are "specific guidelines" on their sites because it should be somewhat obvious that that's what they mean. By all means, try it, but I don't think this type of slipping the system will work out in a favorable manner.

 

[MBlue16]

^ that

 

[zenith92]

The whole purpose of professor based LORs are to get recommendations from professors that have taught you/have graded your work. I don't think there are "specific guidelines" on their sites because it should be somewhat obvious that that's what they mean. By all means, try it, but I don't think this type of slipping the system will work out in a favorable manner.

Thanks for your advice. I'm not sure where you got the idea but I'm not trying to cheat the system or anything. It's just that I've seen some cases where people got letters from professors who knew them personally but not necessarily taught them in class, and I'm wondering if a professor at a dental school will count as one of those professors.

All in all, it looks like it would be most favourable to get a letter from undergrad profs who have taught me in their class.

 

[Koalafied]

My apologies for consecutive postings related to LORs.

I have known a professor at a dental school* for quite a while, and I was wondering if her letter can be counted as a science prof. letter of recommendation.
(*Canadian dental school, so she does not have any affiliations with adcoms at American schools")

Obviously she hasn't taught me directly but she has mentioned (when I asked earlier if it would be possible for her to write me a LOR) that she will be able to demonstrate my strength in academics and scholastic ability in the letter. Most importantly, she has known me for a while so she has a lot to say about my personality.

My question is, will it be allowed to use her LOR as a "Letter from Science Professor"?

If I had strong and very personal LORs from my undergraduate professors, I would definitely go with theirs, but I've been having a hard time finding professors who would be able to write such letters... I'm thinking of this as a desperate last resort and would like to ask your opinions on this.

Thanks in advance for your help.

At UDM and Harvard it's quite explicit what the relationship between the student and professor is:

"A composite letter of recommendation is required from you undergraduate college or university's Preprofessional Advisory Committee. If your school does not have such a committee, two letters from science faculty (by whom you have been taught) within prerequisite courses (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) are required."
Source: http://dental.udmercy.edu/admission/faq/index.htm#q20

"Letters of recommendation should be written by professors who know you in an academic setting: either they have taught a course(s) that you have taken, or they oversee your academic work in some way (e.g., research, thesis mentor, etc.) You should be confident that your professors are able to write a personalized letter on your behalf and are in a position to address your academic abilities. Often, professors and teaching assistants will collaborate in letter writing for larger lecture classes; HSDM will accept coauthored letters."
Source: http://hsdm.harvard.edu/academics/dmd/admissions_faq_application_process#anchor14

But then at BU, NYU, and UPenn it's kinda vague what the exact relationship between the student and professor may be:

"We require two evaluations from science faculty and one letter of recommendation from a dentist mentor, if you have dental shadowing experience."
Source:http://www.bu.edu/dental/admissions/dmd/frequently-asked-questions/

"Letters of Evaluation are required. Applicants must arrange for the submission of either one (1) Letter from a Committee on professional recommendations, or three (3) individual Letters of Evaluation (two of which must be from science instructors who know the applicant personally)."
Source: http://www.nyu.edu/dental/academicprograms/dds/requirements.html

"Letters of Recommendation — A minimum of two letters from professors or a committee letter prepared by the school's prehealth advisor and/or a committee familiar with the applicant's academic abilities is required. Penn Dental Medicine does not require letters from science faculty, unless you are a science major. Please refer to the AADSAS application instructions for submitting letters of recommendation."
Source: http://www.dental.upenn.edu/academic_programs_admissions/dmd_program/dmd_program_admissions

And finally, it appears that several of the Canuck d-schools could care less about such letters:

"No - reference letters and/or personal statements are not required."
Source: http://www.schulich.uwo.ca/dentistry/faq#reference_letters

"Reference letters are no longer required. Please do not submit as they will not be considered."
Source: http://www.dentistry.ubc.ca/Education/DMD/AdmissionProcedures.asp

"Only submit this letter if you have any extenuating circumstances you want to bring to the attention of the Admissions Committee. Do not send in resumes, C.V.'s, essays, or reference letters with your DDS application. They will not be considered by the Admissions Office."
Source: http://www.dentistry.utoronto.ca/admissions/doctor-dental-surgery-dds/procedures-application

Koalafied's thoughtful conjecture:
It's quite evident that the Canuck ds's run by some other 'measuring stick.'

Could it be that schools like BU, NYU, UPenn, and Harvard possess more compassion for our dear Canuck brethren/sisthren?

Well then y'all, we'll just have to wait patiently and find out this cycle, eh?

 

[doc toothache]

.

It is getting better.

 

[sjv]

Koala,

You're my favorite poster on these forums.