Frustration

[Austen]

---

Members don't see this ad.

OK. To make a very long story short, I had spoken with an old prof in May about writing a letter of recommendation for me. He told me that he would rather wait until fall semester to write it - as he would be out of the country until then. I told him my worries about it being too late, etc. and he assured me that there would be no problem - and he would write it quickly. So, I just called him today, and lo and behold, he has transferred to another school! A SCHOOL VERY VERY VERY FAR AWAY. I am: 1)In shock, 2) Frustrated, and 3)Angry. Now, I need to quickly find another professor to write me a letter - which may be next to impossible. I'm a non-trad student, who has been out of school for four years. I took the pre-reqs over the last few years. However, my school is very large, and my classes had over 300 people in them. I'm definitely not on a first name basis with my professors. So, what should I do? I have one science (physics) letter, another from a psychology/neuroscience professor I did research with, but I know for most schools I'll need a second science letter. My questions are: Could my psych/neuroscience prof count as a science prof? Could my letters from my job count as my non-science letter? Would letters from the doctors I work with count as non-science? At this point, I'm willing to try anything, but I'm running out of time. If anyone has had similar situations (i.e. you've been out of school and have more work letters than school letters), please let me know how you handled them. I can't believe this just happened. AGH!

 

[Mango]

I had a very similar situation. I was two years out of school when I applied last year. I had slim pickin's for rec letters! So I did what I thought was the best idea -- I went back to my undergrad school to see the profs. I figured that if I actually sat down and discussed with them why I wanted to go to med school, and what I had been doing in the interim since graduation toward that end, that they would write me a better letter. And it worked out great. The one that I was concerned about (I only had him in one class, and it had been four years earlier), actually remembered me well! And they were all very excited for me, and impressed by all the things I'd been doing to gain health care experience.

One other thing I'd recommend, is to give them a very detailed resume and cover letter, as well as a copy of your personal statement. In the cover letter, tell them about yourself. Talk about the course you had with them, and how you did (it's always best to use profs that gave you A's). You can also explain your situation as you did above, most professors have dealt with rec letters a million times before, and will be sympathetic to your problem.

One last thing, most schools require three letters specifically from profs. So that one you were going to substitute wouldn't fly. But send it in anyways, it can't hurt! Good luck, Mango

 

[Shania]

Originally posted by Austen:
OK. To make a very long story short, I had spoken with an old prof in May about writing a letter of recommendation for me. He told me that he would rather wait until fall semester to write it - as he would be out of the country until then. I told him my worries about it being too late, etc. and he assured me that there would be no problem - and he would write it quickly. So, I just called him today, and lo and behold, he has transferred to another school! A SCHOOL VERY VERY VERY FAR AWAY. I am: 1)In shock, 2) Frustrated, and 3)Angry. Now, I need to quickly find another professor to write me a letter - which may be next to impossible. I'm a non-trad student, who has been out of school for four years. I took the pre-reqs over the last few years. However, my school is very large, and my classes had over 300 people in them. I'm definitely not on a first name basis with my professors. So, what should I do? I have one science (physics) letter, another from a psychology/neuroscience professor I did research with, but I know for most schools I'll need a second science letter. My questions are: Could my psych/neuroscience prof count as a science prof? Could my letters from my job count as my non-science letter? Would letters from the doctors I work with count as non-science? At this point, I'm willing to try anything, but I'm running out of time. If anyone has had similar situations (i.e. you've been out of school and have more work letters than school letters), please let me know how you handled them. I can't believe this just happened. AGH!

Hi,
Sorry for your situtation, I cant imagine that happening. Anyway, for some schools that ask for letters from non-sci people, I called in the school and asked them if a work letter is acceptable. Most of them are lenient and not too picky about the letters. Just give their offices a call.

Good Luck