Is 3 LORs enough?

[ramakul]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi,

I've been out of school for a while and need to get LORs. As of right now, I can only get 3 LORs

1. from Science professor (chair of department), who know me really well.
2. from PI, who I coauthor on one of his paper.
3. from supervisor (clinical laboratory), whom I work with after finishing school.

I'm a science major and didn't do well in non-science classes, so I won't be able to get any from non-science professor. 🙁 I lost contact with all my science professors from my undergrad school.

Do medical school look at quality or quantity for LORs?

I would appreciate any advice 😍

 

[alwaysaangel]

A lot of schools have very specific requirements about LORs.

Generally you need to have 2 letters from science professors, 1 letter from a non-science professor and 1 letter from someone who knows you outside of school (boss, volunteer supervisor, PI, etc)

If you lack any one of those you're going to end up with problems for at least some of the schools you apply to.

So you really need to get another science professor letter and a non-science letter. Find a way.

 

[sejin8642]

Is math science or non-science?

 

[dshnay]

How can I find out if non-science letter of rec is required for a certain school. It seems that I failed to obtain mine.

 

[alwaysaangel]

How can I find out if non-science letter of rec is required for a certain school. It seems that I failed to obtain mine.

They tell you their LOR requirements on their secondary. Its much safer to just get a non-science LOR even if its mediocre. I'd say a little more than half of the schools I applied to required a non-science LOR.

 

[HumbleMD]

They tell you their LOR requirements on their secondary. Its much safer to just get a non-science LOR even if its mediocre. I'd say a little more than half of the schools I applied to required a non-science LOR.

Anecdotally, I think that almost all of mine required a non-science letter. Go with the first three angel said below, and the fourth is always optional. But, for a non-trad, I'm sure you'd be expected to have a letter accounting for what you've been doing for yourself the past few years. Your supervisor's would fit well into this category. In a pinch, you P.I.'s can count for a science prof. So you still need that non-science prof. I'd go check out the non-trad forum to see what those folks do for LORs when they're out of school.

 

[HCW212]

If you need 2 science LOR writers...would it be ok to get them from both teachers you had for Physics?

When I took Physics I, I had two teachers for the class, so would that be ok, or does it have to be a profs. from different subjects?

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

Is engineering considered science or non-science? Would all classes taken toward the bcpm gpa be considered science classes/LOR, while those classes factored into the "other" gpa be considered non-science/LOR?

 

[HumbleMD]

Is engineering considered science or non-science? Would all classes taken toward the bcpm gpa be considered science classes/LOR, while those classes factored into the "other" gpa be considered non-science/LOR?

I believe engin would be considered science. I think the intention is to get a professor from a humanities course to show you have a consciousness beyond the sciences.

If you need 2 science LOR writers...would it be ok to get them from both teachers you had for Physics?

When I took Physics I, I had two teachers for the class, so would that be ok, or does it have to be a profs. from different subjects?

Technically I'm sure that's okay, but I'd get one from different classes if possible to give the schools a better look at you.

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

I believe engin would be considered science. I think the intention is to get a professor from a humanities course to show you have a consciousness beyond the sciences.


The only humainites classes I will be taking will be in large classes (philosophy) how would you get an LOR from a prof. in such a setting? I won't be doing any philosophy research or anything (if there is such a thing). 🙂

 

[HumbleMD]

The only humainites classes I will be taking will be in large classes (philosophy) how would you get an LOR from a prof. in such a setting? I won't be doing any philosophy research or anything (if there is such a thing).

Office hours office hours office hours. Some schools have a take a prof to lunch program.

 

[Dr. Syzygy]

Office hours office hours office hours. Some schools have a take a prof to lunch program.

I thought you go to office hours only when you have trouble with the material, how will that reflect well for an LOR?

 

[kerplunk112]

is it not obvious? your prof actually have to be able to write something about you besides ______ got an A in my class. the more time you spend with them the better they k now you...make a conscious effort. plus it shows that you are interested in the material...

physics is def science. im not sure about math.. i would def try to get one from a biology teacher..its med school after all. and yes im assuming anything in the bcpm gpa is science..so i guess math is also an option. just make sure isnt some bs math class like intro to geometry...

 

[alwaysaangel]

Anecdotally, I think that almost all of mine required a non-science letter. Go with the first three angel said below, and the fourth is always optional. But, for a non-trad, I'm sure you'd be expected to have a letter accounting for what you've been doing for yourself the past few years. Your supervisor's would fit well into this category. In a pinch, you P.I.'s can count for a science prof. So you still need that non-science prof. I'd go check out the non-trad forum to see what those folks do for LORs when they're out of school.

Yeah it really varies by school. I was surprised by how much.

I actually had quite a few apps that required the "someone who knows you outside of school letter" so its definitely good to get. But the OP already has it.

And be careful about using the PI for science profs. Some schools very specifically state that you had to have taken a class with this person. So if you haven't taken your PIs class it gets risky.

 

[alwaysaangel]

I thought you go to office hours only when you have trouble with the material, how will that reflect well for an LOR?

Office Hours are also for brown nosing with intent to ask for an LOR.

I'm personally very against it - but sometimes its the only way.

 

[yeeseng]

Is engineering considered science or non-science? Would all classes taken toward the bcpm gpa be considered science classes/LOR, while those classes factored into the "other" gpa be considered non-science/LOR?

Engineering can be considered as non-science. I used an LOR from an engineering prof and I don't encounter any problems at all.

 

[Kikaku21]

Engineering can be considered as non-science. I used an LOR from an engineering prof and I don't encounter any problems at all.

Thank God for that. What a laugh this whole LOR process is. Forcing students to get LORs from science profs. You know, if you weren't a science major, you are forced to get letters from a 200 level course on the premed track.

These classes all have way more students and there is way less opportunity to go out of your way to get to know the prof. Granted, you can do it when you make a special effort. But shouldn't med schools be more interested in a letter from a prof that you actually got to know on a common level of interest, instead of something where the entire relationship was based on the NEED for an LOR?

 

[Encrypted]

Psychology counts as a social science but can that be used for the nonscience LOR?

 

[HumbleMD]

Thank God for that. What a laugh this whole LOR process is. Forcing students to get LORs from science profs. You know, if you weren't a science major, you are forced to get letters from a 200 level course on the premed track.

These classes all have way more students and there is way less opportunity to go out of your way to get to know the prof. Granted, you can do it when you make a special effort. But shouldn't med schools be more interested in a letter from a prof that you actually got to know on a common level of interest, instead of something where the entire relationship was based on the NEED for an LOR?

Relationships don't have to be based on the need for an LOR. I'm sure med schools can tell the difference. That's not to say that sometimes an intentional LOR bound relationship isn't neccessary, it's just not ideal.

 

[Kikaku21]

Relationships don't have to be based on the need for an LOR. I'm sure med schools can tell the difference. That's not to say that sometimes an intentional LOR bound relationship isn't neccessary, it's just not ideal.

If you go to office hours to "hang out" with the prof, you are doing it for the LOR.

 

[45408]

Psychology counts as a social science but can that be used for the nonscience LOR?

Yes, definitely. Otherwise, most college departments would be considered science. History, English, architecture, psych, art, music, you name it, are fine for a non-science professor.

For the OP, you need more than three letters, sorry. I used all of the following letters for different reasons (I didn't send all the letters to every school, just the ones that were requested): three science professors, my psychology PI, my pre-med advisor (Rush), and a physician I shadowed (non-academic, non-faculty letter for UWisc 🙄). I had another one from a history prof that I didn't use, and I had two other profs write letters for scholarships. I asked a LOT of people for LORs (nine requests, eight letters). 😛

 

[HumbleMD]

If you go to office hours to "hang out" with the prof, you are doing it for the LOR.

Of course. There are plenty of other opportunities, besides office hours (which show concern in a class anyways), to get to know a prof:
Taking them to lunch (many schools have programs).
Many departments have weekly paper discussion meetings - if genuinely interested, you can share an interest there.
Work in their lab.
I led a mentorship group with one of my LOR writers.

 

[HumbleMD]

Yes, definitely. Otherwise, most college departments would be considered science. History, English, architecture, psych, art, music, you name it, are fine for a non-science professor.

For the OP, you need more than three letters, sorry. I used all of the following letters for different reasons (I didn't send all the letters to every school, just the ones that were requested): three science professors, my psychology PI, my pre-med advisor (Rush), and a physician I shadowed (non-academic, non-faculty letter for UWisc 🙄). I had another one from a history prof that I didn't use, and I had two other profs write letters for scholarships. I asked a LOT of people for LORs (nine requests, eight letters). 😛

Wowza. I think 3 of my schools had an explicit cap at 4. Good to have choices I guess.

 

[Dr. Josh]

Yes, definitely. Otherwise, most college departments would be considered science. History, English, architecture, psych, art, music, you name it, are fine for a non-science professor.

For the OP, you need more than three letters, sorry. I used all of the following letters for different reasons (I didn't send all the letters to every school, just the ones that were requested): three science professors, my psychology PI, my pre-med advisor (Rush), and a physician I shadowed (non-academic, non-faculty letter for UWisc 🙄). I had another one from a history prof that I didn't use, and I had two other profs write letters for scholarships. I asked a LOT of people for LORs (nine requests, eight letters). 😛

but can psych be used for science?

I'm confused about sending out these letters. You say you send some letters to some schools and not others. Where are these letters residing tha tyou can do that? Don't yopu have to ask the prof to send them out? What if you add a school later in the cycle do you have to keep going back to the prof and ask him to send another letter? or is this what interfolio (what's it called? please send me the website) is used for, so you can request certain letters to be sent when needed?

 

[45408]

Wowza. I think 3 of my schools had an explicit cap at 4. Good to have choices I guess.

I think some of mine did too, but when one school wants a science prof, a pre-med advisor letter, and the letter of your choosing (my PI), then they get that. Then another school wants two science, a non-science (my PI), and a non-faculty, non-academic letter (and not your advisor), then they need that!

 

[45408]

but can psych be used for science?

I'm confused about sending out these letters. You say you send some letters to some schools and not others. Where are these letters residing tha tyou can do that? Don't yopu have to ask the prof to send them out? What if you add a school later in the cycle do you have to keep going back to the prof and ask him to send another letter? or is this what interfolio (what's it called? please send me the website) is used for, so you can request certain letters to be sent when needed?

Pysch is a soft science, so NO, it's not a SCIENCE PROFESSOR. Just to be clear. My pre-med advisor's office kept the letters for you and mailed them out for you, whichever letters you want to whatever school you want. Easy as pie. They're even planning on making it electronic (scanning in the LORs and e-mailing them to the school). Interfolio is also popular.

 

[Dr. Josh]

Of course. There are plenty of other opportunities, besides office hours (which show concern in a class anyways), to get to know a prof:
Taking them to lunch (many schools have programs).
Many departments have weekly paper discussion meetings - if genuinely interested, you can share an interest there.
Work in their lab.
I led a mentorship group with one of my LOR writers.

Some schools don't allow you to give anything to a professor or it can be interpreted as a bribe. Once I was buying sodas and snacks for everyone who went to office hours late once before a test. The prof insisted on paying me for his and told me he wasn't allowed to accept it from a student.

 

[HumbleMD]

Some schools don't allow you to give anything to a professor or it can be interpreted as a bribe. Once I was buying sodas and snacks for everyone who went to office hours late once before a test. The prof insisted on paying me for his and told me he wasn't allowed to accept it from a student.

🙄 please note the "(many schools have programs)" disclaimer.

 

[45408]

Some schools don't allow you to give anything to a professor or it can be interpreted as a bribe. Once I was buying sodas and snacks for everyone who went to office hours late once before a test. The prof insisted on paying me for his and told me he wasn't allowed to accept it from a student.

you can still GO to lunch without paying for it. I was actually (legitimately!) friends with a bio prof (he was pretty young - around 30), and he ended up writing me a letter, but we used to meet for lunch once a week or so after I finished his class.

 

[Dr. Josh]

Pysch is a soft science, so NO, it's not a SCIENCE PROFESSOR. Just to be clear. My pre-med advisor's office kept the letters for you and mailed them out for you, whichever letters you want to whatever school you want. Easy as pie. They're even planning on making it electronic (scanning in the LORs and e-mailing them to the school). Interfolio is also popular.

My school doesn't even have a pre-med committee, or not one that does anything. I called and asked who was advisor for pre-med students and then he refused to take any students not initially assigned to him. I heard he does nothing. Therefore I have no help at myschool; I'm on my own. 🙁

Anyone know how to sign up for interfolio? Anyone who used it, can you please tell me how it works.

 

[caffeineaholic]

Does anyone know if an epidemiology class would be considered science or non-science? I don't need it to act as one or the other, but I really like my professor for this public health class and end up having engaging conversations with her.

Also, do you think it would be fine to submit a letter from a prof of an engin class that I got an A- in? I also did research for him for a very short period (one month over the summer, that's all my outside funding was good for). I feel like maybe I should get a letter from a prof of a class that I got an A in, but seriously, the classes I go to office hours the most in are the ones where I'm borderline. Also, I know secondhand that he'd write me at least a fairly positive letter since he wrote one that got me my internship last summer and my PI for my internship made a comment that my two rec letters were positive.

 

[HumbleMD]

Does anyone know if an epidemiology class would be considered science or non-science? I don't need it to act as one or the other, but I really like my professor for this public health class and end up having engaging conversations with her.

Also, do you think it would be fine to submit a letter from a prof of an engin class that I got an A- in? I also did research for him for a very short period (one month over the summer, that's all my outside funding was good for). I feel like maybe I should get a letter from a prof of a class that I got an A in, but seriously, the classes I go to office hours the most in are the ones where I'm borderline. Also, I know secondhand that he'd write me at least a fairly positive letter since he wrote one that got me my internship last summer and my PI for my internship made a comment that my two rec letters were positive.

I got an A- in my medical Spanish class and got a letter from my professora. Hasn't really held me back yet