Do I need more than 3 LOR?

[LebLlama]

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How many LOR do schools ask for?
Do schools ask for a specific types of letter writers?


I have 3 very strong LOR (From an MD, Science teacher with a Masters, and a fromer employer who is a retired college professor with a Ph.D) do I need to get more LOR? I sorta feel I should send these 3 no matter what anyway, so why do I need more?

Any imput appreciated.

 

[OhioDoc]

How many LOR do schools ask for?
Do schools ask for a specific types of letter writers?


I have 3 very strong LOR (From an MD, Science teacher with a Masters, and a fromer employer who is a retired college professor with a Ph.D) do I need to get more LOR? I sorta feel I should send these 3 no matter what anyway, so why do I need more?

Any imput appreciated.

Many schools are going to ask for 2 letters from science professors who have taught you/1 letter from a non-science professor who has taught you. Most MD schools don't require a letter from a physician, but it's usually a good idea.

 

[TexasHopeful]

Most MD schools don't require a letter from a physician, but it's usually a good idea.

I've heard the opposite is true: That you should only request an MD letter if you believe the doctor is capable of evaluating you on a level equal to your professors.

 

[LebLlama]

Would I be shooting myself in the foot if a school asked for 2 letters from science teachers and I sent 1 from a science teacher and 1 from and MD?

I'm participating in a research project started by the MD thats writing one for me. He asked me to help, it's kinda like science teaching lol.

 

[oNichole]

If you send then something other than what they ask for I would think, yes, you are shooting yourself in the foot. Ask for a couple more letters, one from a science professor and one from a non science professor. That way you have you bases covered when schools asks for letters from specific people.

 

[Kuune]

Schools as for letters from professors specifically because they want to see how you do in classes and lectures. It is not the same if the letter is from an adviser or mentor, even if they were technically teaching you, because the environment is different.

 

[EpicBearMan]

I shot myself in the foot somewhat by never engaging or getting to know any of my non science professors. The most I could get is that I showed up to class and did my work.

Luckily, my school does a committee letter that satisfies the requirements of most schools. If your school does not have such a committee, many schools want 2 science profs + 1 non science prof. By not having these three, you could potentially seriously limit yourself. The MD probably is not a substitute for one of the science professors. You could call and ask various schools, but most letter requirement pages look pretty specific about what they want. If I were in your situation, I would try to get another letter.

 

[Acoustica]

What does Assistant Adj Professor account for? Is that considered a professor?

Someone who I think would write me a letter of rec is a faculty member with that title, but doesnt actually teach a class. However, I did independent research with her for class credit so did give me a grade (granted, a pass/no pass grade).

Would that still be considered a rec from a professor who taught me? She's a MD also, so that would be an extra plus I suppose.