is it worth it?

[treasure_island]

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I'm in a dilemma right now: i was done with breadth requirements a long time ago, but i never asked any of those non-science profs to write me a LOR. now since dental school requires one LOR from a non-science prof, should i take another breadth class (like psych) to get that LOR? or is that just a waste? i actually wouldn't mind since these kinda classes tend to be interesting.....but is it worth if for the sake of the LOR?

 

[Tzips]

I'm in a dilemma right now: i was done with breadth requirements a long time ago, but i never asked any of those non-science profs to write me a LOR. now since dental school requires one LOR from a non-science prof, should i take another breadth class (like psych) to get that LOR? or is that just a waste? i actually wouldn't mind since these kinda classes tend to be interesting.....but is it worth if for the sake of the LOR?

i'd say, take it. yeah, you need the lor, but the class could be worth it in and of itself, just as a break from the endless sciences.... i myself found linguistics a fun and enjoyable class, worth it just becuase it satisfied my curiosity about some things. oh, and it was very easy/non-stressful, to boot 😀

 

[J2AZ]

I was in the same situation. I contacted the schools and they had no problem accepting a letter from an additional science faculty in place of a none science faculty.

 

[trypmo]

I'm in a dilemma right now: i was done with breadth requirements a long time ago, but i never asked any of those non-science profs to write me a LOR. now since dental school requires one LOR from a non-science prof, should i take another breadth class (like psych) to get that LOR? or is that just a waste? i actually wouldn't mind since these kinda classes tend to be interesting.....but is it worth if for the sake of the LOR?

Have you considered a class in drawing, sculpting, or other artsy stuff? A letter from an art professor would really add diversity to your application (you're applying for next cycle, right?), would demonstrate that you're practicing skills relevant to dentistry, and the class itself might be a stress-reliever, which is a huge advantage. If I still had time for an elective, I'd take an art course, so there's my $0.02. Hope you enjoy whatever you choose!

 

[GatorDentist]

when i found myself in that situation, i wrote my personal statement and drew up a resume of all the things i had done as a pre-dental student (clubs, shadow, etc.)

i showed one of my no-sci teachers these and he had a better feel for the type of person i am (i had never gone to his office hours). we talked for about 30-45 min. it was like a mini-interview, but it paid off in the end 🙂

 

[ToothMonkey]

i was done with breadth requirements a long time ago, but i never asked any of those non-science profs to write me a LOR. now since dental school requires one LOR from a non-science prof, should i take another breadth class (like psych) to get that LOR?

I was in *exactly* same situation as you. I decided to take psych at a community college, and made sure to spend plenty of time with the professor outside of class. He wrote me what I'm sure was an excellent LOR, so I'd say it's definitely worth it.

And psych ended up being a pretty interesting subject IMO, so that was a nice bonus.

 

[edkNARF]

I was in the same situation. I contacted the schools and they had no problem accepting a letter from an additional science faculty in place of a none science faculty.

I think it is good to have a non-science faculty writing your recommendation. They can provide insight to you from different perspective than a science faculty. You are going to get a VERY different letter of recommendation from a history professors than a biochem professor. THose are the differences that give your application the depth necessary to "bring you out of the page," and help make you a real person in the eyes of the admissions committee.

All this is IMHO.

 

[Tzips]

I think it is good to have a non-science faculty writing your recommendation. They can provide insight to you from different perspective than a science faculty. You are going to get a VERY different letter of recommendation from a history professors than a biochem professor. THose are the differences that give your application the depth necessary to "bring you out of the page," and help make you a real person in the eyes of the admissions committee.

All this is IMHO.

second the motion. my pre-health advisor recommended that i get an lor from an english prof, simply because they tend to be more eloquent (and sometimes convincing) than one's "yo no hablo ingles" science prof.