Is it bad not to get a LOR from a dentist

[andrewami]

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So I have a LOR from a dentist but I don't want to use it as my 4 main LOR which you send to aadsas since I have strong LOR from 2 science prof., and 2 research prof. I have done research for 3 years each and received some publication and awards from each research. I can't imagine a dentist writing anything compelling about me other than that I shadowed him over the years and am interested in dentistry and maybe how I interact with the patients. Would it be a bad idea to just send the dental LOR to school that requires a LOR from a dentist and keep my 4 main LOR the way it is? Thanks for your guys opinion.

 

[tinman831]

I can't imagine a dentist writing anything compelling about me other than that I shadowed him over the years and am interested in dentistry and maybe how I interact with the patients.

Dental schools like to hear that their applicants are interested in dentistry. This is something that your professors won't be able to convey to the admissions committees. And besides, a lot of schools require a LOR from a Dentist.

 

[jigabodo]

Dental schools like to hear that their applicants are interested in dentistry. This is something that your professors won't be able to convey to the admissions committees. And besides, a lot of schools require a LOR from a Dentist.

I agree. Definitely use the dentist's LOR if you have the access.

 

[tonto1]

i think you could send the extra letter directly to the schools. your advising office should be able to do this.

 

[litldime]

I don't think it is necessarily bad. I only see it as being a plus. The school I am attending requires one. If I were you, I would try to get a letter from the doc you shadow.

 

[UNR.Grad]

Short answer yes.

 

[DrReo]

I don't think it is necessarily bad. I only see it as being a plus. The school I am attending requires one. If I were you, I would try to get a letter from the doc you shadow.

I called NYU, Boston U and they strongly recommend a letter.

 

[sajjy]

But is it necessary to send the LOR from the dentist directly to the school or can be sent through the pre-health committe?

 

[Montserrat]

Why put yourself in that position of not having a letter ?

From my experience, not all dentists are the helpful, "Sure I'll write you a letter" type. However, it would be an advantage to have a dentist verify your claim of exposure, as well have a dentist/professional vouch for the type of person you are.

 

[Physics Guy1421]

But is it necessary to send the LOR from the dentist directly to the school or can be sent through the pre-health committe?

Hey just my two cents. Don't use on of the 4 spots on the AADSAS application for the dentist LOR. I'm pretty sure most (if not all schools) will accept additional letters. I am using a composite letter based on 5 LOR's from professors. But I have 2 LOR's from dentists that I will send directly to the school. That way I don't have to pick and choose, rather they receive all of them!

 

[sajjy]

Hey just my two cents. Don't use on of the 4 spots on the AADSAS application for the dentist LOR. I'm pretty sure most (if not all schools) will accept additional letters. I am using a composite letter based on 5 LOR's from professors. But I have 2 LOR's from dentists that I will send directly to the school. That way I don't have to pick and choose, rather they receive all of them!

I have 4 prof LOR, 1 from employer and 1 from a dentist. All of them have been sent to pre-health committee.
And if i am using composite letter then i dont need to mention the individual evaluators.

But what do you mean by PICK AND CHOOSE??

 

[Physics Guy1421]

I have 4 prof LOR, 1 from employer and 1 from a dentist. All of them have been sent to pre-health committee.
And if i am using composite letter then i dont need to mention the individual evaluators.

But what do you mean by PICK AND CHOOSE??

What your doing is fine, I said pick and choose cause I thought you were just haven 4 separate letters being sent to AADSAS. I didn't realize your using a committee letter. So you have nothing to worry about!

 

[DrReo]

I'm going to have LOR from:

Physics Professor
Biology Professor
Work (REU) PI
Dentist


And, for whomever wants a non-science LOR, I'll have my english professor send me a LOR there

 

[Jake8]

Your research publications should speak for themselves and if the interview committee wants to know more they can ask. I would add the Dentist's letter to the application and send in one of your research professor's letters separately. That way if they don't take additional letters you don't shoot yourself in the foot by not having a dentist write you one.

 

[luckydocy]

hey, let me tell you that I had no letters from dentists and I've been accepted at Columbia, U of Pacific, UDM, NSU, ..........
so, I don't think it's a must for a student to have that.

 

[andrewami]

Thanks for all the replies! They were helpful and I think I will risk not using a dentist LOR as one of my 4 LOR for aadsas and hope that the schools I'm applying to will accept my dentist's LOR by mail.