Do LOR have to be from science?

[HopingForMed]

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I was wondering if the LOR have to come from science professors, or if you can get them from professors of non-science subjects, such as history. I ask because in terms of LORs, I know I can get a great one from a history professor of mine.

Also wondering just how important Organic Chem is, relative to the entire application package.

Thank you!

 

[Static Line]

I was wondering if the LOR have to come from science professors, or if you can get them from professors of non-science subjects, such as history. I ask because in terms of LORs, I know I can get a great one from a history professor of mine.

Also wondering just how important Organic Chem is, relative to the entire application package.

Thank you!

Each school is different with regard to LOR. Usually their websites will spell out what they want from you. But in general every school wants at least 1 some want more than 1 LOR from a science prof. You can use non-science prof in addition to science prof but it will not substitute a science LOR.

O-chem matters more for non science majors because you don't have a lot of science in your transcripts to begin with so if you do poorly with what little you have... Even for science majors it weighs heavy but a total complete package is better than having good grades in one area.

 

[whatintheworld?]

Most schools ask for 2 LORs from science profs and 1 from a non-science prof, so if your history prof can wirte you a good one, get it! I think some schools may ask for one from a humanities class specifically, but none of the schools I applied to did, so I didn't have to deal with that.

In regards to organic Chem, I have heard that some ad com people view Organic chem as a benchmark kind of class-- meaning if you did poor, it may raise a red flag, since it is known to be a more difficult science class out of the required classes. At one interview, my interviewer scanned my transcript and made a comment on my organic chem grades (a positive comment, since I did ok). So, do the best you can.

 

[Law2Doc]

Most schools ask for 2 LORs from science profs and 1 from a non-science prof,

This was my experience as well. Also as a nontrad, you are often permitted (expected?) to provide additional LORs beyond that of the typical traditional applicant. So LORs from prior degree programs, prior employes, etc may also be helpful.

 

[Law2Doc]

In regards to organic Chem, I have heard that some ad com people view Organic chem as a benchmark kind of class-- meaning if you did poor, it may raise a red flag, since it is known to be a more difficult science class out of the required classes.

Agreed. Orgo is traditionally the premed breaker and since it has this reputation, med schools deem it quite important. It is also more comparable/related to med school courses (esp biochem) than a lot of the other prereqs. I disagree with Static Line that it matters more for nonsci majors, except insofar as all the prereqs will make up a larger portion of your BCPM so in that sense every prereq carries more weight for a nonsci major. But having done poorly in orgo is going to look bad even for a sci major. (I mean, if you think about it, a science major who struggles in sciences has a lot less going for him).

 

[DocEasyCheesy]

Hey static line, how many jumps you got there Airborne!

 

[TroyJS]

When I applied, I ran into a problem getting the "required" LORs stipulated by most schools. It had been some time since I was an undergrad, and the only professor who remembered me enough to write what I thought would be a knowledgeable letter was my old Bio chem research prof. And even though I had taken some resent Bio classes to fulfill my prereq's, I typically didn't go to class or have any questions that warranted professor interaction, so I was out of luck there... the most they could give me was a "to whom it may concern, Mr. So and So got an A in my course..."

So in the end, I said to hell with it and got a letter from my current boss and a coworker. I never had a complaint from any school, got interviews and acceptances from several top schools, and will be starting Med school this fall.

That was my experience, your mileage may very.