Is it ok to get LORs from non-PhD's?

[Twifi]

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For example, is it acceptable to have a LOR from a community college science professor who only has a Master's degree?

 

[AlteredScale]

For example, is it acceptable to have a LOR from a community college science professor who only has a Master's degree?

If you can establish good relationships with professors at the university level then that is preferred, but it is acceptable to have LOR's from the community college level, if that's the case then it's def much more preferred to get them from those who have a terminal degree (PhD) but if you have a stronger relationship with the instructor with a masters then go for that one.

I had both my science LOR's come from community college. One had an M.S. the other a PhD (department chair). Why? Because I established strong, longitudinal rapport with both of them for doing volunteer work to connect them with UCSD and while also helping them with a P01 grant proposal.

The most important aspect of an LOR is that it's strong and provides specific accounts of active work with that writer and why they feel you are fit for a career in medicine. IMO that trumps pedigree, but I'm sure you'll receive a multitude of opinions here from actually faculty on admissions, take their advise wisely 🙂.

 

[Twifi]

If you can establish good relationships with professors at the university level then that is preferred, but it is acceptable to have LOR's from the community college level, if that's the case then it's def much more preferred to get them from those who have a terminal degree (PhD) but if you have a stronger relationship with the instructor with a masters then go for that one.

I had both my science LOR's come from community college. One had an M.S. the other a PhD (department chair). Why? Because I established strong, longitudinal rapport with both of them for doing volunteer work to connect them with UCSD and while also helping them with a P01 grant proposal.

The most important aspect of an LOR is that it's strong and provides specific accounts of active work with that writer and why they feel you are fit for a career in medicine. IMO that trumps pedigree, but I'm sure you'll receive a multitude of opinions here from actually faculty on admissions, take their advise wisely 🙂.

Ok, thank you for your input! One further question. What if the teacher of one of these CC classes holds only a bachelor's degree but is also currently a graduate student at a major university? Would the fact that she has not yet attained her doctoral degree discredit her as a LOR source?

 

[s5260205]

Ok, thank you for your input! One further question. What if the teacher of one of these CC classes holds only a bachelor's degree but is also currently a graduate student at a major university? Would the fact that she has not yet attained her doctoral degree discredit her as a LOR source?

As long as the teacher is an instructor for one of your university-level courses, then the LOR should satisfy the requirement. Note I use the word "satisfy"; ideally you would want a LOR from a full time professor at your home institution. However, I personally got a LOR from a biochemistry instructor who only has a Bachelor's and was accepted into multiple schools.

Also, make sure the instructor clearly indicates in the LOR what course s/he has taught you.

 

[Twifi]

As long as the teacher is an instructor for one of your university-level courses, then the LOR should satisfy the requirement. Note I use the word "satisfy"; ideally you would want a LOR from a full time professor at your home institution. However, I personally got a LOR from a biochemistry instructor who only has a Bachelor's and was accepted into multiple schools.

Also, make sure the instructor clearly indicates in the LOR what course s/he has taught you.

I have a very competitive application otherwise, and already have a PhD letter from my Biochem professor, I just am in need of one last science letter as the professor who I had strongly leaned on for a letter may or may not grant me one. So I need a backup to just satisfy that requirement so that I can apply to the schools requiring 2 science letters.
Thank you very much for weighing in!

 

[AlteredScale]

Ok, thank you for your input! One further question. What if the teacher of one of these CC classes holds only a bachelor's degree but is also currently a graduate student at a major university? Would the fact that she has not yet attained her doctoral degree discredit her as a LOR source?

I would not suggest that one unfortunately :/ maybe @Goro or @LizzyM can give you more advice

 

[Twifi]

I would not suggest that one unfortunately :/ maybe @Goro or @LizzyM can give you more advice

I know it's not preferable, but would it still count? Because at the moment my lack of 2 science letters is greatly limiting the options of schools I am able to apply to.

 

[LizzyM]

Haven't you taken Chem, O-chem, Biology and Physics? Doesn't this mean you have at least 4 faculty members to choose from? Ideally, you want the oldest, most experienced writers as they have a greater breadth of experience with students and can compare you to a wider universe.

 

[AlteredScale]

I know it's not preferable, but would it still count? Because at the moment my lack of 2 science letters is greatly limiting the options of schools I am able to apply to.

That's a line of advice I cannot give. Message those two faculty that I just tagged in my other post to get accurate info.

 

[Twifi]

Haven't you taken Chem, O-chem, Biology and Physics? Doesn't this mean you have at least 4 faculty members to choose from? Ideally, you want the oldest, most experienced writers as they have a greater breadth of experience with students and can compare you to a wider universe.

Unfortunately I did not buddy up to those professors as I was not sure I was going to be pre-med at the time. In addition to the classes having 500+ students. While I did excel in them (some A+'s and a couple top 15 in the class) I dont think that alone would get me a good letter. Not to mention I took those classes over 3 years ago.

 

[s5260205]

Just go with the instructor who taught you a course. I received 4 interviews and accepted by 3 with two LORs from instructors who are not full-time professors at my school (one is a PhD research scientist, the other an instructor with BSc). If you have a good stats and good ECs, I don't see why the schools would reject you just because the LORs are not written by a professor with PhD.