legitimate science recs?

[ramzax]

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I was made aware that some schools require two science recommendations. I'm well acquainted with one of my science professors, however I'm a little wary about my others. I was thinking about asking one of the medical students who mentored me in a lab I worked in for my science rec. Does anyone know if that generally counts as another science rec?

Thanks

 

[Mattabet]

I'm working from memory here, but I'm pretty sure that most of my schools required that a letter from a science teacher actually be from someone who has taught a course. You can get a letter from a tutor, but you can't use it in place of a real science prof's letter.

To make sure, you can always contact the school you're applying to and ask about the specifics.

 

[ramzax]

thanks. i think you're right

 

[Lukkie]

most specific: SCIENCE FACULTY WHO TAUGHT YOU IN A CLASS AND GAVE YOU A LETTER GRADE
less specific: SCIENCE FACULTY
not specific: someone who knows you well and can speak about your qualities

 

[McPoyle]

This will vary highly from school to school. Some schools will even be flexible when they state the "most specific" requirements the previous poster described. In fact I only ran into one school (BU) who would not accept one of my letters that was from my lab PI, because this was not a formal course. The one constant however is the "faculty" thing. I can't think of any school that I applied to that would accept a letter from another student.

I would start asking any science faculty, if you worked in a lab, ask the PI even if they didn't give you a letter grade and even if you feel you didn't know them well. Of course, if you are not applying this current cycle then take the time to get to know a faculty member so they may write a stronger, more personal letter.

 

[Caprica6]

Don't most of the schools have requirements like: committee letter OR two science faculty/one non-science faculty?