Letters of Rec

[medhopeful82]

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My school does not do committee letters so I must have professors write them. Most schools require 2 science and 1 non-science professor. For 1 of my science professors I was going to have the PI of my undergraduate research write the letter. I did earn class credit for this class and he was in charge of assigning me a grade. Will this count as a professor? or will some schools consider this just a research boss and not count for my 2nd science rec?

 

[vellez]

I want to say that I remember that some schools require that the prof taught you in a course. But LOR details for all the school I applied to slip my mind. I think it depends on the school; and I think some schools explicitly address this very situation. Either way, I'd try to get another science professor just in case.

 

[AgentMay]

If you had a class with him, then yeah it counts as science LOR. To be sure, you should ask your prof details both your academic achievement and research in the LOR.

 

[chemist16]

I think OP means the PI taught him in the sense that "research" was counted as a course at his/her school. OP, to be safe, I would get another LOR from a science faculty member who actually taught you in a class. I think this gives adcoms different perspectives on your science abilities and that's a good thing.

 

[Grace184]

If he taught you, it counts. If he can speak to your research, even better. That sounds like a strong letter versus someone who met you once 3 yrs ago. All 3 of my LORs taught me in class and later, I went on to do research with them.

It is to my understanding that they usually don't "trash" a letter unless it from your mom or something ridiculous. Higher tier may be a bit more picky. As gonnif said, they would love to read a PI letter rather than an awkward chemistry 1 professor whom you met in office hours a few times.