confused about rec letters

[53948]

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😕 I've heard that when it comes to rec letters, optimal is 3 science and 2 non-science. What I'm confused about is whether these have to come from professors, as in 3 science professors and 2 non-science professors, or if they can come from other areas fulfilling those areas... for example 2 sciences coming from my research lab and my clinic and then 1 from my youth group. Thanks for the help if you respond. 😕

 

[lilmo]

😕 I've heard that when it comes to rec letters, optimal is 3 science and 2 non-science. What I'm confused about is whether these have to come from professors, as in 3 science professors and 2 non-science professors, or if they can come from other areas fulfilling those areas... for example 2 sciences coming from my research lab and my clinic and then 1 from my youth group. Thanks for the help if you respond. 😕

I had letters from 2 science professors, my leadership studies advisor, my boss (I worked as an RA in the dorms for 3 years), and a physician I had spent a lot of time shadowing. I think it's better to get letters from a variety of people rather than just professors. It shows you have interests and responsibilities outside of school.

 

[Blue Scrub]

I think it depends on what the school is asking for. Many times the school asks specifically for letters of rec from science profs and non-science profs, and some ask for letters from other people besides your profs, such as a boss or physician or volunteer coordinator, etc. I think if you're coming straight from college, its fine to have all profs write letters for you, and maybe 1 or 2 non-profs. If you've been out of college for awhile, its fine to have non-profs write you recs, such as the people I mentioned above.

 

[superdevil]

What I'm confused about is whether these have to come from professors, as in 3 science professors and 2 non-science professors, or if they can come from other areas fulfilling those areas... for example 2 sciences coming from my research lab and my clinic and then 1 from my youth group. Thanks for the help if you respond. 😕

other assortments of LOR's are perfectly fine, but i would suggest getting at least 1 letter from a science prof who knows you in a classroom/academic setting to guage that particular set of abilities. although, i wouldn't say this is a deal-breaker, either.