Letter of Rec question

[mmgggee1]

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Hey guys,

I hope all is well! I am currently waiting on my second science professors letter of rec, but have not heard from them in a little while. Two questions: do you really need two science letters to apply to med school? I checked some school websites (Baylor, uva, usc) and they only require one if any at all. My second question is if I do need another science letter, will my cognitive science professors letter count? Thanks so much for your help guys!

 

[deleted577188]

Different schools have different requirements. Many do require 2 science LOR's. I'd try my best to get another one to avoid being forced to apply to a limited/select group of schools.

 

[The Real SVB]

Committee letter trumps all. If you have that, nothing else matters. Cog sci might fly. No idea if not satisfying LOR reqs is a big deal. I would guess not.

 

[GrapesofRath]

Ask specific schools about issues with how many letters are required. They can also tell you whether cognitive science counts as what is considered "science" for a recommendation letter is defined on a school by school basis. For example, some schools want a science letter from an instructor who taught you while others will simply state a science faculty member. How strict schools are on things such as considering cognitive science a science letter despite it not counting as science GPA if it is say the psychology, communication or linguistics department varies by school as well. You simply have to find out for each school by asking. Just to give an idea of variable this is math classes are counted as science GPA and I know @gonnif has stated that math letters aren't always viewed as "science" letters by many ADCOMs.

I can't imagine how not satisfying LOR requirements if a school is specific on them or not supplying enough isn't a problem. Those involved in admission can answer this much better but there are two possibilities from not having sufficient/acceptable LORs a) your application is marked as not complete yet and hence as long as no letters are submitted it is never read b) it is read and the lack of LOR's that exist or are either acceptable is a pretty significant red flag. Not only are you not following the basic requirements/rules laid out on the website what does it say that you couldn't generate a sufficient amount of letters? Whatever the answer to that question probably isn't going to be perceived as something that is favorable for you.

 

[The Real SVB]

Will there be a hardcore school that may look at these as "lesser"? Maybe. But there is no way to predict.

I would even say **** the school that is that hardass with this kind of thing. Doesn't bode well for the administration's attitude.

 

[GrapesofRath]

@GrapesofRath has summarized it well above. My additional suggestion is use your judgement. In the OP's original question, if your cognitive science instructor has both taught you in a course and is a formal faculty member, it would be reasonable to assume him as fulfilling a science professor role for purposes of LOR. Not having all letters there, thus making file incomplete, or just not having enough letters would be the only issue that would get you rejected (or rather never marked complete thus never reviewed.). I am sure that some schools with very stringent guidelines may reject on "technical basis" but having good quality letters from professor who are not quite fulfilling the requirements are likely to be viewed OK. In other words, if you are a psych major and get two psych profs and only one Bio prof letter you likely wouldnt have an issue. If you are an engineering and math guy the same. Will there be a hardcore school that may look at these as "lesser"? Maybe. But there is no way to predict. So try as hard as you can to fill the requirements and use your judgement if you have to get some that are to the "letter of the law" on letters

I didn't realize it was often as flexible as you suggested to many schools(not all). Good to know. But it sounds like not having ENOUGH letters would mark your application as incomplete and hence pointless to send.