Humanties Recos vs Science Recos -- Do you Discriminate?

[monopolova]

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Is a good recommenation a good recommendation? Do you look for substance over science? Did you give much thought into leaning towards science recommendations instead of humanities recommendations (when given a choice) or did you simply decide to send recos from people you knew well -- who you know would describe you all in depth as the wonderful people you are (no matter what their field).

Ten points to those who guess what three recommendations I sent in.

Thanks peoples. 👍

 

[Dr.LeoSpaceman]

Is a good recommenation a good recommendation? Do you look for substance over science? Did you give much thought into leaning towards science recommendations instead of humanities recommendations (when given a choice) or did you simply decide to send recos from people you knew well -- who you know would describe you all in depth as the wonderful people you are (no matter what their field).

Ten points to those who guess what three recommendations I sent in.

Thanks peoples. 👍

I defintiely would rather have a strong science reco than a strong humanities one. However, I think each can emphasize different qualities. Science profs are going to know your ability for scientific thinking (obviously), and you ability to retain knowledge. I think humanities profs (esp philosophy, lit, etc) would be able to talk about you strong ability to formulate strong ideas and support them. Not to say sceince profs couldn't do the same, but I think its the different nature of the courses.

And I would pick profs that new me the best, regardless of what subjects they were in. Though I would be much more comfortable having only science vs. only humanities. I think you need at the absolute least one, but more like at least 2 from science profs.

For the record, I sent two from science (one who was a research supervisor as well as prof from one of my courses), one humanities, one from a doctor I shadowed/worked for, and one from another research supervisor.

 

[elephunt]

I tried to balance: two from science, and two from humanities. I was a liberal arts undergrad and grad student, so the humanities profs knew me best; the science profs were from my post-bacc classes, and therefore didn't have as much of a chance to get to know me but could comment on my science abilities etc. I'm hoping that the strengths of the letters will balance each other out.

Oh, and I also submitted a rec from my boss because I'm a non-trad, if that matters. I haven't decided yet whether I'll submit one from an MD. (See the thread: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=135539 )

 

[principessa]

If you are a science major a letter from a humanities professor makes you look much more interesting. And the letter will most likely be well-written and interesting.

 

[LRmed2003]

I was over at Harvard the other day and they said if your MCAT is less thatn stellar in any area..you should try to counter that with a strong letter from that particular area...science letters are often more requested than non-science, but in the end...who knows? just try to get quality ones from everywhere..

~LR 👍

 

[VFrank]

A bunch of medical schools require two letters from science faculty and at least one from "someone who knows you personally". So get at least two science and then do whatever you want with the other three.

 

[monopolova]

If you are a science major a letter from a humanities professor makes you look much more interesting. And the letter will most likely be well-written and interesting.

I didn't think about that. Thanks (I hope you're right)!!! 😀

Yeah, I had a choice since we had to send only one science. The rest were up to me so I sent two humanities and one science (though I admit I had my science from a prof I knew as an adviser and prof in two classes so he kind of covers a lot of ground). Meh, who knows what will happen.

 

[efex101]

Most schools will require two science and possible one non-science or PI/MD/whatever.