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[Appless]

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Anyone apply disadvantaged or kinda know what they are looking for in the essay? They only allow 1325 characters and its kinda killing me. I wasnt going to apply disadvantaged but after talking to the dean at case western im convinced otherwise but im having trouble writing it. I dont want to sound like a whiny bitch because people have had it worse then me but i defiantly didnt have all the opportunities that 99% of most premeds they see had. And ive defiantly had a difficult road getting to where I am.

 

[ksmi117]

I could never bring myself to make up stuff to ask professors. It was a waste of my time and theirs. I did do it once and it was hella awkward. Never did it again. I just asked professors that knew me well from class (easy to get to know professors in math and discussion classes). I'm pretty positive that all of my letters are pretty good and all without any awkward sucking-up.

 

[Appless]

I could never bring myself to make up stuff to ask professors. It was a waste of my time and theirs. I did do it once and it was hella awkward. Never did it again. I just asked professors that knew me well from class (easy to get to know professors in math and discussion classes). I'm pretty positive that all of my letters are pretty good and all without any awkward sucking-up.

Thats true but at a UC school as a bio major its damn near impossible to get to know profs when all your classes are 400+ kids and 300 of them are pre meds who want a LOR like you. I felt like you did until my last quarter at UCI, when i found out my lack of ass kissing screwed me as I had 0 LORs with only one quarter left to get 3 of them before applying...Math classes are usually small so its easy👍

 

[FML]

Random question I didn't feel like making a new thread (or searching lol) for:

I know all schools have certain LOR requirements but is there any place that shows a comprehensive list or do we have to go to each med school's website and search around there? I glanced thru my MSAR again and didn't see info on LORs.

In other news: AMCAS has received both of my transcripts and I'm pretty much done with my PS yay!!!

 

[0Complications]

You got it right. All my other letters you can really tell by reading them they put a lot of effort and thought into it. While this pre formed crap is just...well exactly that pre formed. Its obvious the teacher didnt put a whole lot of time into it. He literally wrote the letter while i was in his office hours...it might have been 10 mins at best. Its like 1/2 a page at most lol...I went to that bastards office hours everyday too 🙁. What a waste of time trying to kiss ass-_-.

Yeah, that blows, man. I'm hoping one of my professors didn't do that. We'll see though.

dude, exactly the same thing for me. I went to OH after every lecture and kissed ass. And now he was like "I can't write a stellar one because I don't know you too well" crap. Wtf?

Ha ha. What a jerk. Did you just sit there and stare at him when you went or did you actually talk to him and socialize a bit?

I never got the concept of kissing butt during OH.

I would always tell myself that I should get to know this professor well, he would probably write a good recommendation. but when it got down to it I would never really have any questions and would think it a bit odd to go to OH with nothing to say except "well, the temperature's been picking up lately."

just curious, did you guys really have interest in the topic and have legitimate questions in addition to just being there to get to know the prof in hopes he/she would write you a good rec?

I didn't really get into the @ss kissing either, but you can still be friendly.

I would make up questions, but try to relate them to novel things. Either that or I would TA, for the prof. I think most of my letters stemmed from general interest in the subject matter. I got 2 letters from faculty I rarely if ever visited during office hours, but still knew them well, because we would chat after/before class or if we bumped into each other in the hallways. The other I saw on occasion in her office hours, but that was mainly because I was her TA, so the most I saw her was when I was giving a lecture in the class.

I'm thinking that it all depends on your personality though. I am very boisterous, and have worked with people all my life, so socializing with faculty is just like shooting the breeze with anyone else. When I chat with a monotonous drone for a professor, I typically try to avoid them in the future (or if they are complete idiots-I had one that was really bad. I had to correct her in our conversations on a number of occasions, until I finally decided to hide from her when she was around so I wouldn't have to chat with her).

Yes I would purposely sit down and make up questions to show i had interest and all that before coming to OH. Even if i had no questions id just make **** up or ask how to do a problem i already knew how. I wouldnt just go there and be like "hey hows the weather...how about those yankess (hes a big NY fan)." In the end i guess its w/e...ill probably just not send the letter to schools who wont require a 4th letter.

Dude, that is hilarious. I couldn't do that. I would just show up and start BSing about something.

. We do things alike.

You guys kill me. I'm guessing Elijah was better at it than Blue though, based on the results.

Anyone apply disadvantaged or kinda know what they are looking for in the essay? They only allow 1325 characters and its kinda killing me. I wasnt going to apply disadvantaged but after talking to the dean at case western im convinced otherwise but im having trouble writing it. I dont want to sound like a whiny bitch because people have had it worse then me but i defiantly didnt have all the opportunities that 99% of most premeds they see had. And ive defiantly had a difficult road getting to where I am.

I think you're best bet is to discuss what you feel makes you a disadvantaged applicant, but I wouldn't leave the essay with a negative woe is me feel, turn it around by demonstrating what you did to overcome/compensate for your disadvantaged state. I would look at it as an opportunity to showcase your perseverance, determination, and focus, by example of course.

That's what I would do.

 

[BlueElmo]

I suck at the noble art of kissing ass/sucking up.🙁

What else can I do, give a BJ?

 

[0Complications]

Random question I didn't feel like making a new thread (or searching lol) for:

I know all schools have certain LOR requirements but is there any place that shows a comprehensive list or do we have to go to each med school's website and search around there? I glanced thru my MSAR again and didn't see info on LORs.

In other news: AMCAS has received both of my transcripts and I'm pretty much done with my PS yay!!!

There is some useful info in this thread. A general rule of thumb is three, but some want 4 and others want non-science letters. I posted an outdated LOR list a couple posts down as well (might still be good, at least for a guideline). There is also a link to AMCAS's letter service, which links you to all of the schools and their specific requirements.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8141187


Congrats on finishing your PS!

 

[0Complications]

I suck at the noble art of kissing ass/sucking up.🙁

What else can I do, give a BJ?

Couldn't hurt...

 

[Appless]

I think you're best bet is to discuss what you feel makes you a disadvantaged applicant, but I wouldn't leave the essay with a negative woe is me feel, turn it around by demonstrating what you did to overcome/compensate for your disadvantaged state. I would look at it as an opportunity to showcase your perseverance, determination, and focus, by example of course.

That's what I would do.

hmm but with 1325 characters its like....one paragraph to explain a lifetime, if that makes sense...wanna read mine when im done OC? lol. Im so lost right now.

 

[FML]

There is some useful info in this thread. A general rule of thumb is three, but some want 4 and others want non-science letters. I posted an outdated LOR list a couple posts down as well (might still be good, at least for a guideline). There is also a link to AMCAS's letter service, which links you to all of the schools and their specific requirements.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=8141187


Congrats on finishing your PS!

Ahh, thank you! This should do for now.

I have 4 LORs: 1 sci, 1 math, 1 nonsci (sociology), 1 nonacademic

think I should be good for most places?

 

[Appless]

Random question I didn't feel like making a new thread (or searching lol) for:

I know all schools have certain LOR requirements but is there any place that shows a comprehensive list or do we have to go to each med school's website and search around there? I glanced thru my MSAR again and didn't see info on LORs.

In other news: AMCAS has received both of my transcripts and I'm pretty much done with my PS yay!!!

You have to go to each website....if you look at your amcas app though there is a "LOE" button you can click on for each school and it at least links you too their website where you can easily find their LOR reqs.

Ahh, thank you! This should do for now.

I have 4 LORs: 1 sci, 1 math, 1 nonsci (sociology), 1 nonacademic

think I should be good for most places?

You could be in trouble honestly with those letters. Not all schools consider math a science letter and often schools want 2 science letters. I would doublecheck each schools website/call them to make sure. I usually emailed the schools so i had documented proof also.

 

[FML]

You have to go to each website....if you look at your amcas app though there is a "LOE" button you can click on for each school and it at least links you too their website where you can easily find their LOR reqs.


You could be in trouble honestly with those letters. Not all schools consider math a science letter and often schools want 2 science letters. I would doublecheck each schools website/call them to make sure. I usually emailed the schools so i had documented proof also.

ok, thanks good call. I shall get on that right away since I'm too lazy to start working on secondaries like I should be now haha

good luck with those 1325 characters!!

 

[BlueElmo]

Ahh, thank you! This should do for now.

I have 4 LORs: 1 sci, 1 math, 1 nonsci (sociology), 1 nonacademic

think I should be good for most places?

Some schools don't consider math a science letter.

 

[FML]

oh I do have a pre-med committee letter which will just have these other 4 LORs attached to it

does that make a difference you think? I should probably just stop being lazy and email everyone shouldn't I? Ahhh, g damn my 46 school selection!!

 

[0Complications]

hmm but with 1325 characters its like....one paragraph to explain a lifetime, if that makes sense...wanna read mine when im done OC? lol. Im so lost right now.

Sure, send it my way when you're done.

 

[0Complications]

Ahh, thank you! This should do for now.

I have 4 LORs: 1 sci, 1 math, 1 nonsci (sociology), 1 nonacademic

think I should be good for most places?

I think that should realistically cover you everywhere. That's a nice group of letters.

 

[0Complications]

You could be in trouble honestly with those letters. Not all schools consider math a science letter and often schools want 2 science letters. I would doublecheck each schools website/call them to make sure. I usually emailed the schools so i had documented proof also.

What schools don't consider Math a science? Are you sure about this or is it just hearsay?

oh I do have a pre-med committee letter which will just have these other 4 LORs attached to it

does that make a difference you think? I should probably just stop being lazy and email everyone shouldn't I? Ahhh, g damn my 46 school selection!!

Yes, I think the committee letter should work. Although, I don't know all that much about committee letters.

You'll have to post what you find out about the math letter. I don't have one, but I would be shocked if most, if not all schools considered math a science.

 

[0Complications]

Oh and before I forget....

 

[BlueElmo]

oh I do have a pre-med committee letter which will just have these other 4 LORs attached to it

does that make a difference you think? I should probably just stop being lazy and email everyone shouldn't I? Ahhh, g damn my 46 school selection!!

46 schools!😱

 

[Appless]

oh I do have a pre-med committee letter which will just have these other 4 LORs attached to it

does that make a difference you think? I should probably just stop being lazy and email everyone shouldn't I? Ahhh, g damn my 46 school selection!!

Jesus 46 is insane man. Your stats are better then mine and im not even at 46. Also if you have a true committee letter (not a big pack of individual letters) then forget what I said you are fine. All schools will just take 1 committee letter. The individual reqs are only for people like me and blu whos schoosl dont have committee letters.

What schools don't consider Math a science? Are you sure about this or is it just hearsay?

Nope not hearsay i wouldnt post it if it was. Ive read it a few times myself on some school sites. Ill see if i can find one now. I didnt bother to look since FML just confirmed what I was saying 😛

 

[FML]

Come on Blue, we already discussed this a few pages back haha 😀

and I just had a very interesting conversation with Admissions office of Einstein:
first I asked if a math letter is considered as sci... she said no
then I asked if having a committee letter would override that... she was confused what I was asking
then I asked again about the committee letter... she said "what do you want to send in"
I explained that I have a committee letter which will also include these 4 LORs
she finally says thats fine
then I asked her again "so my committe letter makes up for the 2 sci LOR requirement" and she says "yea they have to be from 2 different departments"

wtf? So I guess I'm fine bc I have a committee letter? and that really does override the other LOR requirements?

lovely experience in general (she was quite rude in tone of voice too)
1 down, 45 to go

 

[FML]

Jesus 46 is insane man. Your stats are better then mine and im not even at 46. Also if you have a true committee letter (not a big pack of individual letters) then forget what I said you are fine. All schools will just take 1 committee letter. The individual reqs are only for people like me and blu whos schoosl dont have committee letters.



Nope not hearsay i wouldnt post it if it was. Ive read it a few times myself on some school sites. Ill see if i can find one now.

yes it is a true committee letter (not just a packet of the other LORs)

ahh and I am a girl not a man.... I know the way that you used doesn't necessarily mean you think I'm a man but just thought I'd clarify 😀

 

[Appless]

Come on Blue, we already discussed this a few pages back haha 😀

and I just had a very interesting conversation with Admissions office of Einstein:
first I asked if a math letter is considered as sci... she said no
then I asked if having a committee letter would override that... she was confused what I was asking
then I asked again about the committee letter... she said "what do you want to send in"
I explained that I have a committee letter which will also include these 4 LORs
she finally says thats fine
then I asked her again "so my committe letter makes up for the 2 sci LOR requirement" and she says "yea they have to be from 2 different departments"

wtf? So I guess I'm fine bc I have a committee letter? and that really does override the other LOR requirements?

lovely experience in general (she was quite rude in tone of voice too)
1 down, 45 to go

Committee letters override everything. You are fine dont worry about it.

yes it is a true committee letter (not just a packet of the other LORs)

ahh and I am a girl not a man.... I know the way that you used doesn't necessarily mean you think I'm a man but just thought I'd clarify 😀

Sorry about that. I call everyone man or dude just easier lol.

 

[0Complications]

Come on Blue, we already discussed this a few pages back haha 😀

and I just had a very interesting conversation with Admissions office of Einstein:
first I asked if a math letter is considered as sci... she said no
then I asked if having a committee letter would override that... she was confused what I was asking
then I asked again about the committee letter... she said "what do you want to send in"
I explained that I have a committee letter which will also include these 4 LORs
she finally says thats fine
then I asked her again "so my committe letter makes up for the 2 sci LOR requirement" and she says "yea they have to be from 2 different departments"

wtf? So I guess I'm fine bc I have a committee letter? and that really does override the other LOR requirements?

lovely experience in general (she was quite rude in tone of voice too)
1 down, 45 to go

You should check to see if you actually get a letter from the committee of if it like Elijah said, a packed of your standard letters. (EDIT: NM, I just read you above post stating that it is a committee letter not a packed...)


That's crazy that math doesn't count as a Science letter. So it's a non-science letter😕

So are science letters just Bio and Chem?

 

[BlueElmo]

Come on Blue, we already discussed this a few pages back haha 😀

and I just had a very interesting conversation with Admissions office of Einstein:
first I asked if a math letter is considered as sci... she said no
then I asked if having a committee letter would override that... she was confused what I was asking
then I asked again about the committee letter... she said "what do you want to send in"
I explained that I have a committee letter which will also include these 4 LORs
she finally says thats fine
then I asked her again "so my committe letter makes up for the 2 sci LOR requirement" and she says "yea they have to be from 2 different departments"

wtf? So I guess I'm fine bc I have a committee letter? and that really does override the other LOR requirements?

lovely experience in general (she was quite rude in tone of voice too)
1 down, 45 to go

I fined e-mails work very fine. They aren't so rude through emails. Also doesn't Einstein require a letter from professor from your major? Can anyone confirm that?

 

[Appless]

You should check to see if you actually get a letter from the committee of if it like Elijah said, a packed of your standard letters.


That's crazy that math doesn't count as a Science letter. So it's a non-science letter😕

So are science letters just Bio and Chem?

Science are typically considered bio, chem, physics and thats all. Though a decent # of schools will consider math a sci letter.

 

[0Complications]

FML, I think you might be better served cutting down your list a bit and focusing on between 20-25 schools instead. It's quality, not quantity.

You should also look into schools that are known to accept younger applicants.

 

[FML]

You should check to see if you actually get a letter from the committee of if it like Elijah said, a packed of your standard letters. (EDIT: NM, I just read you above post stating that it is a committee letter not a packed...)


That's crazy that math doesn't count as a Science letter. So it's a non-science letter😕

So are science letters just Bio and Chem?

I'm 100% positive that they do write a letter (my pre-med advisor and I are like this haha)

I think the math as sci letter does vary from school to school
also I'm assuming physics would count as sci too

oh and from a page or 2 ago... physics >>>> bio 🙂

 

[0Complications]

Science are typically considered bio, chem, physics and thats all. Though a decent # of schools will consider math a sci letter.

Good call, I forgot about the Physics... I think I unintentionally block anything physics related from any type of conscious thought. ha ha

 

[Appless]

FML, I think you might be better served cutting down your list a bit and focusing on between 20-25 schools instead. It's quality, not quantity.

You should also look into schools that are known to accept younger applicants.

o damn shes only 19 i didnt even realize. Makes me feel old like OC🙁...

 

[Bryson17]

1 down, 45 to go

No wonder admissions offices hate us.

 

[0Complications]

I'm 100% positive that they do write a letter (my pre-med advisor and I are like this haha)

I think the math as sci letter does vary from school to school
also I'm assuming physics would count as sci too

oh and from a page or 2 ago... physics >>>> bio 🙂

 

[0Complications]

o damn shes only 19 i didnt even realize. Makes me feel old like OC🙁...

🙄 It's not old, it's experienced. 😉

 

[FML]

yea like I said I'm just very scared of not getting in anywhere... plus I'm starting to work on secondaries now (with last year's prompts) so those shouldn't be too bad... once interview season rolls around I guess we'll see....

also I'll be 19 when submitting primary and secondaries, but will be 20 when most interviews roll around and 21 upon actually marticulating so really I'm only a year ahead of most... I was under the impression that age doesn't really make much of a difference unless you're 20 or less when entering med school

also Einstein does require one form your major, but if you're a sci major that 2nd sci letter must be from someone in a different department

 

[BlueElmo]

Do 46 schools. That would be awesome.

 

[BlueElmo]

yea like I said I'm just very scared of not getting in anywhere... plus I'm starting to work on secondaries now (with last year's prompts) so those shouldn't be too bad... once interview season rolls around I guess we'll see....

also I'll be 19 when submitting primary and secondaries, but will be 20 when most interviews roll around and 21 upon actually marticulating so really I'm only a year ahead of most... I was under the impression that age doesn't really make much of a difference unless you're 20 or less when entering med school

also Einstein does require one form your major, but if you're a sci major that 2nd sci letter must be from someone in a different department

That's so lame. My letter from him sucks. I think NYMC and SUNY Downstate also have similar requirements.👎

 

[ksmi117]

o damn shes only 19 i didnt even realize. Makes me feel old like OC🙁...

I'm not the youngest anymore. Woot!

 

[BlueElmo]

top.

 

[FML]

Committee letters override everything. You are fine dont worry about it.

The lady at BU confirmed this (in a MUCH nicer way than Einstein btw)
so I don't feel like calling the other 44 bc I am lazy
I'm just gonna apply and see what happens!

 

[Appless]

yea like I said I'm just very scared of not getting in anywhere... plus I'm starting to work on secondaries now (with last year's prompts) so those shouldn't be too bad... once interview season rolls around I guess we'll see....

also I'll be 19 when submitting primary and secondaries, but will be 20 when most interviews roll around and 21 upon actually marticulating so really I'm only a year ahead of most... I was under the impression that age doesn't really make much of a difference unless you're 20 or less when entering med school

also Einstein does require one form your major, but if you're a sci major that 2nd sci letter must be from someone in a different department

Being young isnt necesarily a bad thing. Its just more that most of the young applicants arent going to exude much maturity and their inexperience may put off some interviewers. I think their idea is medicine is such a difficult path that how can someone whos 19, been on their parents bankroll their entire life, and never had to do anything on their own really be mature enough or know this is what they really want. A much younger applicant may be lacking in some of the interpersonal or non-cognitive areas that schools are really interested in. Its probably a more case by case basis though I doubt anyone would hold it against you too much pre-interview.

The lady at BU confirmed this (in a MUCH nicer way than Einstein btw)
so I don't feel like calling the other 44 bc I am lazy
I'm just gonna apply and see what happens!

lol i know its never a good idea to trust someone advice online but you will be fine dont worry. Im neurotic enough to have checked all this **** like 10 times 🙂.

 

[Bryson17]

yea like I said I'm just very scared of not getting in anywhere... plus I'm starting to work on secondaries now (with last year's prompts) so those shouldn't be too bad... once interview season rolls around I guess we'll see....

👍

also I'll be 19 when submitting primary and secondaries, but will be 20 when most interviews roll around and 21 upon actually marticulating so really I'm only a year ahead of most... I was under the impression that age doesn't really make much of a difference unless you're 20 or less when entering med school

also Einstein does require one form your major, but if you're a sci major that 2nd sci letter must be from someone in a different department

I think that works out for me. I got lucky. I think I fulfill that and every other school's requirements with only my first three letters.

 

[aznb0y129]

That's so lame. My letter from him sucks. I think NYMC and SUNY Downstate also have similar requirements.👎

I didn't submit an LOR for my major and I got into both NYMC and Downstate.

 

[BlueElmo]

The lady at BU confirmed this (in a MUCH nicer way than Einstein btw)
so I don't feel like calling the other 44 bc I am lazy
I'm just gonna apply and see what happens!:xf:

Yeah, that's the approach I'm taking. Just apply and see what happens.

 

[BlueElmo]

I didn't submit an LOR for my major and I got into both NYMC and Downstate.

Really! So I don't have to submit letter from major? Their websites specifically ask for it.

 

[FML]

Being young isnt necesarily a bad thing. Its just more that most of the young applicants arent going to exude much maturity and their inexperience may put off some interviewers. I think their idea is medicine is such a difficult path that how can someone whos 19, been on their parents bankroll their entire life, and never had to do anything on their own really be mature enough or know this is what they really want. A much younger applicant may be lacking in some of the interpersonal or non-cognitive areas that schools are really interested in. Its probably a more case by case basis though I doubt anyone would hold it against you too much pre-interview.


lol i know its never a good idea to trust someone advice online but you will be fine dont worry. Im neurotic enough to have checked all this **** like 10 times 🙂.

yay for neurotic online buddies!

and on that note, I'm outta here. Those secondaries and that school work is calling my name....

 

[aznb0y129]

Really! So I don't have to submit letter from major. Their websites specifically ask for it.

Well, I was a psych major, but I submitted LORs from my post-bacc physics, gen chem, and orgo professors.

 

[BlueElmo]

Well, I was a psych major, but I submitted LORs from my post-bacc physics, gen chem, and orgo professors.

Okay, I hope I don't have to submit LOR from my major.

Well, I'm outta here, need to turn in my transcript request form. See you.

 

[aznb0y129]

Okay, I hope I don't have to submit LOR from my major.

Well, I'm outta here, need to turn in my transcript request form. See you.

I think it's different if you're applying straight out of undergrad though. The reason I didn't include a letter from my major is because it would have been too old. Just double-check with the schools.

 

[ksmi117]

All this math professor LOR talk makes me glad I have a committee at my school. Both of my "science" letters are from math professors. But that works for my committee.

Now, I'm printing on my application to proofread and such. 20 freaking pages. 😱

 

[Appless]

All this math professor LOR talk makes me glad I have a committee at my school. Both of my "science" letters are from math professors. But that works for my committee.

Now, I'm printing on my application to proofread and such. 20 freaking pages. 😱

How can you print out the entire app...i know its stupid but after each section you can only print out parts of it right?