How strict are schools on LORs?

[Magus]

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Hey everyone,

I'm looking to ask some of my professors for letters of recommendation for my eventual application to medical schools. I created a general list of schools I was interested in applying to (definitely subject to change/tentative), and noted that the following schools have specific requirements for the LORs:

- Johns Hopkins
Applicants attending colleges without premedical advisors or committees must send two letters of recommendation from senior faculty in science departments.

- Jefferson
One letter each from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Humanities, if
possible.

- Vanderbilt
If your university does not have a pre-medical committee, send three letters of recommendation: two from senior faculty members in science departments in which you have studied and one from another person chosen by you.

In the experience of those who have applied to these schools, have you noticed these particular programs being strict about obtaining SENIOR science faculty recommendations/one from physics, bio, chem, humanities? I ask primarily because it is difficult to obtain these from senior professors since they don't always teach intro classes or most classes at a large university. Any and all advice is much appreciated!

 

[LizzyM]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking to ask some of my professors for letters of recommendation for my eventual application to medical schools. I created a general list of schools I was interested in applying to (definitely subject to change/tentative), and noted that the following schools have specific requirements for the LORs:

- Johns Hopkins
Applicants attending colleges without premedical advisors or committees must send two letters of recommendation from senior faculty in science departments.

- Jefferson
One letter each from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Humanities, if
possible.

- Vanderbilt
If your university does not have a pre-medical committee, send three letters of recommendation: two from senior faculty members in science departments in which you have studied and one from another person chosen by you.

In the experience of those who have applied to these schools, have you noticed these particular programs being strict about obtaining SENIOR science faculty recommendations/one from physics, bio, chem, humanities? I ask primarily because it is difficult to obtain these from senior professors since they don't always teach intro classes or most classes at a large university. Any and all advice is much appreciated!

Are they assuming that applicants to their school will have taken upper level courses and therefore have letters from a senior facutly members?

 

[Magus]

I'm not sure...however, I am sure JHU and Vandy both receive apps from non-trads and non-science majors (in particular whom don't have significant exposure to science classes beyond the pre-med classes). It would seem unfair to disqualify someone from applying because they didn't have letters from SENIOR faculty but still had them from the main instructor/lecturer for the course. If anyone who is a non-sci major or non-trad without significant exposure to upper level science can comment (especially those who have applied to JHU or Vandy), I'd definitely appreciate it! Thanks.

 

[yellowumbrella]

I don't know about JHU or Vandy, but I know Jefferson is lenient about the LOR reqs as long as you explain what you're sending in a letter. In general, you'd want at least 2 sci + 1 humanities-- the senior faculty part is probably not as important as how well the profs knew yout and the content of the letters

 

[scarletgirl777]

I'm not sure...however, I am sure JHU and Vandy both receive apps from non-trads and non-science majors (in particular whom don't have significant exposure to science classes beyond the pre-med classes). It would seem unfair to disqualify someone from applying because they didn't have letters from SENIOR faculty but still had them from the main instructor/lecturer for the course. If anyone who is a non-sci major or non-trad without significant exposure to upper level science can comment (especially those who have applied to JHU or Vandy), I'd definitely appreciate it! Thanks.

Maybe you are thinking of a different idea of senior faculty than they are...I also go to a large university, and that would just make me think they want someone who is not a TA...also maybe not someone who is a "preceptor" or a "lecturer" but has the word professor somewhere in his title...your school does not have any of those people teach intro courses? The common practice here is to have the TA write it and then have the professor cosign.

 

[ghostfoot]

I don't know about JHU or Vandy, but I know Jefferson is lenient about the LOR reqs as long as you explain what you're sending in a letter. In general, you'd want at least 2 sci + 1 humanities-- the senior faculty part is probably not as important as how well the profs knew yout and the content of the letters

I can empathize with the OP. Last time I took a humanities course was a decade ago at a JC.

 

[LizzyM]

I can empathize with the OP. Last time I took a humanities course was a decade ago at a JC.

Check with the school. If you are non-trad, the school may accept a letter from your employer, commanding officer, etc in place of the humanities prof.