How important is a non-science LoR

[golgi body]

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My non-science professor who wrote me a LoR last cycle has moved to another city, and I haven't been able to reach them by email. This is starting to worry me because I would like this letter for my re-application. Most, if not all, of my other non-science courses were early in college when I had average grades and no solid relationships with my professors so I don't think I will be able to get another good one.

My main question is: how hard is the non-science letter requirement usually? For the schools that suggest/require it, would any non-science faculty work, such as a physician or research mentor?

Is there anyway AMCAS would transfer the letter over for re-use?
Any other ideas of what I should do?

Thanks

 

[Dantes]

Did you happen to save the letter by using Interfolio?

If you have to get a new one from a different professor, I believe it would have to be a faculty member who has taught you in a course that AMCAS would not categorize in the BCPM category. From my limited experience there were still a handful of schools who wanted a non-science letter so I would try to get one just in case.

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

If a school uses the term "non-science" it usually means an academic letter by a professor who has taught you a non-science course. If they wanted a letter outside of academia entirely, they would specify "non-academic".

 

[golgi body]

Did you happen to save the letter by using Interfolio?

If you have to get a new one from a different professor, I believe it would have to be a faculty member who has taught you in a course that AMCAS would not categorize in the BCPM category. From my limited experience there were still a handful of schools who wanted a non-science letter so I would try to get one just in case.

No, I just started using Interfolio this cycle. I wish I had known about it last time.

 

[golgi body]

1) AMCAS will not, repeat, will not transfer a letter over from year to year
2) some schools require a nonscience letter and may not consider your application complete without them
3) a science PI, researcher or mentor will not, repeat, will not substitute
4) so get a letter from a clearly non science prof, even if short saying nothing more the grade you got in the class

Thank you

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

1) AMCAS will not, repeat, will not transfer a letter over from year to year
2) some schools require a nonscience letter and may not consider your application complete without them
3) a science PI, researcher or mentor will not, repeat, will not substitute
4) so get a letter from a clearly non science prof, even if short saying nothing more the grade you got in the class

I've just want to add that I have contacted a lot of schools directly and usually they are very lenient about the non-science letter. Most will seriously consider a letter written by a TA.

 

[golgi body]

I've just want to add that I have contacted a lot of schools directly and usually they are very lenient about the non-science letter. Most will seriously consider a letter written by a TA.

I would hate to have to do a non-science post bacc just to get another LoR

 

[LoveBeingHuman:)]

I had a heated discussion along these lines last year on SDN. They stated that they were told via phone or email that some published letter requirements were less strict. This is problematic for several reasons

1) in some cases, I contacted directors/deans of admission who formally stated requirements are indeed to be followed.
2) these requirements are approved as part of accreditation from LCME and are audited as part of re-accreditations. As schools are becoming more “corporate” and associated with larger hospital and health systems, they do not want to risk any damage to brand and marketing, thus offices of General Counsel push to make there is no risk of “ding” from LCME
3) simply because of the numbers, at any individual school, at least 80% of applicants must be rejected prior to II. So schools do in part look for reasons to reject and a missing required letter is an easy way to do so.
4) since I am a big believer in reducing applicant risk in this process and since you will likely never know that you were rejected because your file didnt have a required letter, why take the risk?

Having said that, is it unethical for admissions office staff to say it's acceptable when it's really not?