Is this an acceptable LOR?

[TAD]

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Hi everyone,

I'm trying to satisfy the 2 LOR from science professors. Coming from a psychology background in Canada, this is going to be hard to do. However, I have conducted research with a Neuroscience professor for the past 3 years (however I have never taken an actual course with her). Would I be able to use a LOR from her as a science professor?

Thank you very much!

 

[chocltcake]

You can do a couple of things: Call a few schools and ask them. Also, you can get them from the professors you had for your pre-reqs, but I would lean toward the upper level pre-reqs (biochem, ochem, etc). I would imagine her LOR would be a good contribution to your app since you've been working with her for a while, but maybe that can be your 4th letter.

 

[CountinCavities]

Don't some schools specify that they have to be your professors? I would definitely use this in addition to others. Call the schools you are applying to and check!

 

[doc toothache]

You mean you have not taken any gen chem, organic or bio courses?

 

[TAD]

Well, I'm taking chem this summer. However, I have taken several bio courses and physiology courses. However, in choosing the courses I did the best in, I'm left with Biology and Human Physio (I'm getting an LOR from this professor). However, my bio prof had about 1500 students (I'm at a huge university) in the one course that I took with him , so suffice to say he doesnt' know me. *Sigh..... I'll take everyone's advice and call up the schools and hopeuflly they'll accept a letter from my Neuroscience prof-- who's amazing. Just wanted to check-- Neuroscience is considered a science in the states correct? I'm getting paranoid lol. Thanks a bunch peoples.

 

[artanis]

You mean you have not taken any gen chem, organic or bio courses?

Don't listen to this idiot's advice. He like's to search for the keyword "Canada" or "Canadian" and try his best to rip on you with whatever he's got.

Let me give Mr. Toothache a breakdown of University of Toronto's first year science courses so he can be more helpful and address someone's concern and not try to be a prick.

General Chemistry - 3 Professors, class size 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Organic Chemistry - 3 Professors, 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Biology - 4 Professors, class size 1300 section 1, 350 secion 2

Physics - 4 Professors, class size 700

Mr. Toothache, who would you ask for a LOR from the above?

Here's a sample of what you will likely get as a LOR from them


To Whom this may concern:

Artanis was in my class, he received an A, he sat in the front, he tried to suck up before and after class, he annoyed me at office hours asking questions to which he already knew the answers, but I recommend him.



To the OP, make sure your professor states the COURSE and that it is a SCIENCE course somewhere within the letter. One of my science professors had to re-write me a letter at a school due to not stating the course.

I hope this helps.

 

[doc3232]

Don't listen to this idiot's advice. He like's to search for the keyword "Canada" or "Canadian" and try his best to rip on you with whatever he's got.

Let me give Mr. Toothache a breakdown of University of Toronto's first year science courses so he can be more helpful and address someone's concern and not try to be a prick.

General Chemistry - 3 Professors, class size 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Organic Chemistry - 3 Professors, 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Biology - 4 Professors, class size 1300 section 1, 350 secion 2

Physics - 4 Professors, class size 700

Don't be so aggressive and please don't brag about how tough you got it.
Also, stating that there are 3-4 professors is not helping your argument. This means that it is more likely one will write the letter for you (the fact the professor taught a portion of the class does not matter). My school has 1000+ classes and getting LORs was actually possible. Sometimes the professor would even say outright that he/she will NOT write any letters. It is possible to stand out, but you have to know how.

To the OP: Some schools state they want X letters from science professors but will not immediately reject you if you supply something else. If they want you then they WILL accept you no matter what.

 

[tinman831]

What's with all the anger? Doc simply asked a question to the OP, "Why doesn't he ask a professor from one of his prereqs?" and it was helpful in nature. The insulting tone in your post doesn't really contribute much at all and you could have done without it.

Don't listen to this idiot's advice. He like's to search for the keyword "Canada" or "Canadian" and try his best to rip on you with whatever he's got.

Let me give Mr. Toothache a breakdown of University of Toronto's first year science courses so he can be more helpful and address someone's concern and not try to be a prick.

General Chemistry - 3 Professors, class size 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Organic Chemistry - 3 Professors, 500/section (2 sections/semester)

Biology - 4 Professors, class size 1300 section 1, 350 secion 2

Physics - 4 Professors, class size 700

Mr. Toothache, who would you ask for a LOR from the above?

Here's a sample of what you will likely get as a LOR from them


To Whom this may concern:

Artanis was in my class, he received an A, he sat in the front, he tried to suck up before and after class, he annoyed me at office hours asking questions to which he already knew the answers, but I recommend him.



To the OP, make sure your professor states the COURSE and that it is a SCIENCE course somewhere within the letter. One of my science professors had to re-write me a letter at a school due to not stating the course.

I hope this helps.

 

[doc toothache]

Would somebody please pass the fluoxetine?

 

[Wei87]

I felt like a similar question has been asked recently. But I can tell you that I think dental schools understand that you can only get four LORs (via AADSAS), and are relatively lenient about the "types" of LOR you get. In my personal experience, I've gotten one orgo prof, one biochem prof, one english prof, and one from my research adviser. My situation is kind of similar to you, my research adviser is a biochemistry professor at my school, but I've never taken one of his courses.

I've gotten 8 interviews this cycle, my combination were not a perfect match for all of these schools. Some schools that I've interviewed at wanted a LOR from a dentist, and some wanted 3 LORs from science profs.

So I guess I don't actually know if research advisers will count towards science professor. But, from the fact that I was invited to interview, a LOR from your research adviser probably won't hurt you.

I guess this doesn't really answer your question. 😛 I just wanted to let you know you will still get interviews without matching up, so don't stress too much over it. Though I would give a call to your "dream schools" to make sure they have leniency on LOR types.

Hope this helps!

 

[TAD]

Thanks everyone.. have contacted some schools.. my top- temple has confirmed that it's A OK! 😀