How criticial is it to have a non-science LOR?

[InNotOf]

So far, it looks like I'll have LORs from:
- My PI
- 1-2 science professors who have taught me
- Another professor who has taught me but knows me primarily through my research activities
- Physician I've shadowed
- Maybe the PI I'm working for this summer
- Maybe a volunteer supervisor

So, that's 4-7 letters. At this point, is it necessary to submit a non-science LOR? For that matter, should I consider not submitting ALL of these? (Realistically, I'll have 5 or 6 letters available.)

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[Neuronix]

Typically, you must fulfill the requirements of the medical schools. If the medical school admissions says one non-science letter, you need one non-science letter. MD/PhD programs typically say "MD application, check, MD/PhD application, check." If there's no check next to MD application, your MD/PhD application doesn't get considered.

I forget how many LORs I ended up with. I think it was 9. I sent them and nobody ever complained. I got a few "You have excellent letters of recommendation", and that's really the key. No matter how many you have, make sure by asking your letter collector (pre-med advisor?) that they're quality and don't send any non-required non-glowing letters. If all of them are great, send them all, unless a school specifically asks you not to. I think there's only 1 that limits how many you send? I forget who, and it was nowhere I applied.

 

[Kickback]

I have a side question here: what exactly is the definition of a science professor? Is it a BCMP professor, or could I get them from engineering professors?

 

[GliaGirl]

Your volunteer supervisor sounds like a good person to ask for a non-science LOR. Other sources could be humanities or social sciences professor (this includes psychology, languages, history, etc), clergy (make sure they stick to the topic of you and not your faith), any coaches you may have from sports or otherwise (my debate coach gave me an awesome LOR), a freshman writing teacher (most universities have this requirement and its usually in a small classroom setting), or you could be unconventional and have the leader of a club you are in or a peer write it, although that's kind of risky. You'll probably end up needing one along the way, so its best to have one ready and not be scrambling at the last moment.

When they say a non-science LOR, they mean a letter that speaks to your character. If you're in a bind, you could probably get away with asking the recommender that knows you best to talk about your character in a separate letter from the one they write about your work. Make sure to be specific with your request, so they know that this is not about your academics or research, but rather you as a person.

And I would stay away from engineering professors (engineering most likely counts as science in this case). Like I said, have someone talk about YOU, not your work or your research.

 

[anemone2]

I think you do need that non-science LOR, even if it's only for med schools to check off that you submitted one. Have you worked anywhere outside the lab? My non-science LOR came from my boss at a paid teaching job I had, and I don't think it's been a problem anywhere. I also second volunteer supervisor, if you can get him/her.

 

[orrghead16]

All this talk about 6+ LORs has me wondering... I don't have nearly that many.

It seems like pretty much the standard for most schools regarding letters is: 2 science profs, 1 non-science, and then PIs. Correct?

Right now I have, in the bag, 2 science profs, a history professor, the PI I have worked for, and another PI at a different university that knows me well from my research & presentations that can comment more on my abilities (Mainly since I have only worked in one lab). 3 profs that taught me, and 2 "research" profs.

Should I be covered for most Med schools? Do many schools require 4 letters from profs that have taught you?

 

[Neuronix]

All this talk about 6+ LORs has me wondering... I don't have nearly that many.

Quality, not quantity. Quantity of LORs past the number required has nothing to do with acceptance. It's kind of like how AMCAS gets padded by some pre-meds with all these random honor societies and other nonsense ECs so they can say they have 20 ECs when in reality only 3 are quality. It's filler, not important, don't worry about it.

I had so many LORs cause I've led a very strange life. Don't worry.