How much will it hurt my application to not have a non-science faculty letter?

[Mrd7889]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've run out of options so now I'm probably just going to email schools which require non-science faculty letters and see if I can substitute it with something else

I have 2 science faculty letters (including my research PI who also taught me), 1 from the professor whose lab I TA'ed for, 1 from the director of an organization I was involved in, and one from the director of a clinic I interned for.

How bad is this for my application? 😢 I'm considering begging the professor who said no to me due to the volume of letters she has to write....

 

[gyngyn]

I I'm considering begging the professor who said no to me due to the volume of letters she has to write....

Whatever you do, don't do this.

 

[Mrd7889]

Whatever you do, don't do this.

I won't.. But do you think this will prevent me from getting interview invites?

 

[gyngyn]

I won't.. But do you think this will prevent me from getting interview invites?

Only if the screener reads LoE's.
Otherwise it prevents acceptances. This is worse in some ways.

 

[DameJulie]

For schools that explicitly REQUIRE a non-science letter, it could hurt you to the application not being complete, thus not considered for any review.

 

[Mrd7889]

Maybe; I am finding that less adherence to formal requirements on letters than in the past. I am unsure if/when they note this in the process in most places now; likely at evaluation. That is, if they require three letters and three letters show up, it will get reviewed. Yes, a few schools, such as CWRU, JHU, and some Florida schools have some hard specific requirements, but I would apply, even without the nonscience letter. Of course make sure you have at least 1 or 2 additional letters. And as @gyngyn said, getting a desperate letter is a worse risk

Really wishing I wasn't from Florida right now😵

Thank you!