LOR Questions

[Liv4444]

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Hey guys,

Alright, so I'm currently in the process of earning my master's degree, and will graduate in June of 2013. I've decided to apply to medical school, and will be taking the MCAT this upcoming spring. However, I have a few questions regarding obtaining letters of recommendation. For the 3 required LORs:

1) Is it better for all 3 LORs to be written by science-based faculty, or is it ideal to have two from science and one from a non-science professor? I would assume the latter, as it would demonstrate that at least one person who isn't strictly into science has found you competent in other areas of academia.

2) If the latter is true, what if the professor whom you want to write the letter has left the institution in which they taught you? The professor I have in mind is a notable writer, and has since retired. He offered to write me a fantastic LOR, but I'm worried it would look unfavorable as he hasn't taught at my university in 3 years, and is currently not teaching elsewhere.

 

[cheechootrain]

Hey guys,

Alright, so I'm currently in the process of earning my master's degree, and will graduate in June of 2013. I've decided to apply to medical school, and will be taking the MCAT this upcoming spring. However, I have a few questions regarding obtaining letters of recommendation. For the 3 required LORs:

1) Is it better for all 3 LORs to be written by science-based faculty, or is it ideal to have two from science and one from a non-science professor? I would assume the latter, as it would demonstrate that at least one person who isn't strictly into science has found you competent in other areas of academia.

2) If the latter is true, what if the professor whom you want to write the letter has left the institution in which they taught you? The professor I have in mind is a notable writer, and has since retired. He offered to write me a fantastic LOR, but I'm worried it would look unfavorable as he hasn't taught at my university in 3 years, and is currently not teaching elsewhere.

It depends on the school. Each school has different requirements such as committee letters or pastor recommendation. So just research your top three or four schools and base your lors on it. Choo choo!

 

[theseeker4]

Hey guys,

Alright, so I'm currently in the process of earning my master's degree, and will graduate in June of 2013. I've decided to apply to medical school, and will be taking the MCAT this upcoming spring. However, I have a few questions regarding obtaining letters of recommendation. For the 3 required LORs:

1) Is it better for all 3 LORs to be written by science-based faculty, or is it ideal to have two from science and one from a non-science professor? I would assume the latter, as it would demonstrate that at least one person who isn't strictly into science has found you competent in other areas of academia.

2) If the latter is true, what if the professor whom you want to write the letter has left the institution in which they taught you? The professor I have in mind is a notable writer, and has since retired. He offered to write me a fantastic LOR, but I'm worried it would look unfavorable as he hasn't taught at my university in 3 years, and is currently not teaching elsewhere.

Most schools want a committee letter if your school has a committee, and if it doesn't, want two science and one non science. Definitely check the individual schools you want to apply to to make sure.

As long as you had that professor for a course, I wouldn't hesitate to use him as a LOR writer. The fact that he has retired shouldn't hurt you at all.