LOR - if a professor in a non-science dept taught me in a BCPM course, is the letter science or non-science?

[goldenteacup]

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Hello, I am applying this upcoming 26-27 cycle and am getting my letters together, but need a non-science letter. I have a professor who is Psychology faculty that I can ask, but he taught me in several neuroscience/BCPM courses, not psych/social science ones. Since he is faculty in a non-science department but knows me in what I presume is a science context, would this be okay to use as a non-science letter or do I need to find someone else?

Just curious about what really defines a non-science vs science letter. Also curious if anyone knows of specific schools that require matching letter writers to courses.

Thank you!

 

[LizzyM]

Generally, a letter writer will describe when you first met or how long they've known you, the circumstances under which you first met (instructor, employer, extracurricular activity, etc), and how you have interacted since then (e.g. was your instructor then later you served as TA and later worked in their lab).
In my experience, the non-science letters are often from faculty who teach courses that are more text heavy and include more class discussion and paper writing than most BCPM courses. This gives the writer the opportunity to remark on your ability to communicate verbally and in writing and how you contribute to discussions. You might want to keep this in mind as you think about who might be a good writer of that third letter.

 

[goldenteacup]

Generally, a letter writer will describe when you first met or how long they've known you, the circumstances under which you first met (instructor, employer, extracurricular activity, etc), and how you have interacted since then (e.g. was your instructor then later you served as TA and later worked in their lab).
In my experience, the non-science letters are often from faculty who teach courses that are more text heavy and include more class discussion and paper writing than most BCPM courses. This gives the writer the opportunity to remark on your ability to communicate verbally and in writing and how you contribute to discussions. You might want to keep this in mind as you think about who might be a good writer of that third letter.

Thank you, this is very helpful! So essentially likely not, and I should look for one in a more humanities context?

As of now I have one uploaded science letter, two more science on the way, and expect a letter from the supervisor I had for a student leadership role I’ve held for some time. As such I believe I am covered in the front of science letters, especially since all the professors I have asked thus far know me in both a course context and an extra-curricular/outreach context.

Thank you again for your time and detailed response!

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You should do your research. Contact each school if you have to.

UCLA: Letters of Recommendation | Medical Student Organizations
For medical school, science disciplines include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and related fields (e.g., molecular biology, microbiology, etc.). Schools often count “Mathematics” as a science, but a few do not (and I do not understand why so just be careful when you submit letters to each school).

[Non-science letters] can come from a professor in a field that is not regarded as a “Science” discipline. Examples include Economics, English, Literature, Music, etc.

CWRU: Letters of Recommendation | MD University Program | Case Western Reserve University
We will not accept letters from Psychology, Earth Sciences (Geology, Ecology, Oceanography, and Botany), and Computer Sciences as satisfying the science letters requirement but are acceptable as additional letters of recommendation.

 

[goldenteacup]

You should do your research. Contact each school if you have to.

UCLA: Letters of Recommendation | Medical Student Organizations
For medical school, science disciplines include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and related fields (e.g., molecular biology, microbiology, etc.). Schools often count “Mathematics” as a science, but a few do not (and I do not understand why so just be careful when you submit letters to each school).

[Non-science letters] can come from a professor in a field that is not regarded as a “Science” discipline. Examples include Economics, English, Literature, Music, etc.

CWRU: Letters of Recommendation | MD University Program | Case Western Reserve University
We will not accept letters from Psychology, Earth Sciences (Geology, Ecology, Oceanography, and Botany), and Computer Sciences as satisfying the science letters requirement but are acceptable as additional letters of recommendation.

I guess the concern is not so much if Psychology counts as non-science, but rather if the discrepancy between his department vs the course nature would cause an issue. He’s faculty in a department that’s generally considered non-science (psych) but taught me in science/BCPM courses (neuroscience), so I wasn’t sure if this would muddy his letter being used as non-science. If it wasn’t clear I was hoping to use his letter as non-science so I’m just more worried about the fact that I know him from a neuroscience context.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

I guess the concern is not so much if Psychology counts as non-science, but rather if the discrepancy between his department vs the course nature would cause an issue. He’s faculty in a department that’s generally considered non-science (psych) but taught me in science/BCPM courses (neuroscience), so I wasn’t sure if this would muddy his letter being used as non-science. If it wasn’t clear I was hoping to use his letter as non-science so I’m just more worried about the fact that I know him from a neuroscience context.

Have you talked with this professor about your concern? Honestly, what you describe is common: a psych professor can teach neuroscience/biological bases of behavior. Agreeing with LizzyM's response.