composite letter of rec from school

[Lethstang]

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Id like my fellow SDNers opinions

Im an untraditional applicant.

1420 sat
680 gmat
i have a masters from an ivy school (3.1 gpa unfortunately, what can i say i like to party).

had a career, decided to switch, here i am.

So now im taking my pre reqs at the state school here.

These guys do a composite LOR, but wont until youve completed 30 hours at their institution. So Im taking a huge course load this semester and summer to meet their demands

spring

chem1
chem2
phys1
bio1

summer

first half
org 1
bio 2

SIT DAT

second half
bio chem
org 2 or microbio

All of these classes with labs. As you can see this is a heavy courseload. Im hoping the combo of heavy courseload plus sitting the dat before all the prereqs and wrecking it will have me standout.

Anywho, met with my prehealth counselor yesterday and she had the audacity to tell me that in my letter they will probably mention that they dont endorse me fully because they dont know how ill perform in upper level science courses.

A shocked silence ensued.

Instead of ranting on my qualifications, please read above and let me know if getting pissed is the correct response. I for one think taking some upper level science classes past the pre reqs, after ive already proven myself academically at a HARD AS **** institution is ridiculous (in addition to a 4.0 in my pre reqs). but then, im close to the situation i may be skewed.

I plan on meeting with her at the end of spring semester and stating my case. However Im afraid Ill just piss her off.

Any advice/insight welcome.

 

[Predoctalk]

Explain the situation to the schools when you apply if they still will not "fully endorse" you. If you get all A's with that course load and do well on the DAT they will likely understand. In addition, having your masters will show them that you are a serious student. While LOR's hold weight, it is usually because the school does not have anything else to go on. Speak to them yourself and bypass the middleman. With these extenuatiing circumstances they won't close the door on you. You have done nothing wrong and it is out of your power to force the letter.

 

[Lethstang]

thanks for the response. thats the mature insight i was looking for.

predoc im also an alumni of FSU as well. Grats on getting into school!

 

[sketo43]

A composite LOR is not necessary for dental school unless there's some blemish on your application, and you need someone to advocate for you. If the committee LOR is going to be a hassle, then just use LORs from individual professors. That's what I decided to do, and it was never an issue in my interviews. I didn't take any upper level bio until this past fall, after I had already submitted my application and LORs. If the committee is going to say that they don't fully endorse you, then my advice is to not use the committee.

 

[Predoctalk]

A composite LOR is not necessary for dental school unless there's some blemish on your application, and you need someone to advocate for you. If the committee LOR is going to be a hassle, then just use LORs from individual professors. That's what I decided to do, and it was never an issue in my interviews. I didn't take any upper level bio until this past fall, after I had already submitted my application and LORs. If the committee is going to say that they don't fully endorse you, then my advice is to not use the committee.

This is actually great advice. I was previously thinking in "last resort" mode. If you can get individual lor's from professors who will write stronhger letters than the committee, definitely do so. Good Luck

 

[Lethstang]

Good info here guys.

Ya I was going to have my profs write actual letters instead of the paper they just want filled out. This way each school gets both. I read elsewhere tho that if u DONT have a comp lor from your school while everyone else does, it looks bad.

EDIT : just called the dental school...turns out they wont even read my LORS, JUST the composite.

That means, if my counselor decides to overlook my credentials (not fair) and insist on upper level science courses (redundant - taking undergrad science courses to prove im a good candidate after a masters at an ivy....as hard as i try i just cannot see the logic here), Im screwed.

Anyone have exp with this?

I suppose i can stop flipping out and just resign myself to going to an out of state private school.

Any advice?