LOR Requirements

[pharmgirl]

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Hey everyone,

Like must of us in the non-traditional forum, I've been out of school a few years before deciding to go through theis crazy process. 😀 Since I didn't "plan" to do this, I hadn't made all the appropriate contacts with professors for letters of recommendaiton. I was able to get letters from 2 pharmacy professors (please let everyone count them as science) and a manager I worked for post graduation, but I am having trouble with the non-science LOR. I decided to call some schools to see who would be ok without that letter, especially since I'd been out "only" years.

I wanted to start this thread because I figured maybe some of you were in a similar situation, and we could post the schools we talked to and what they said?? Hope this helps someone!

I'll start:

Drexel - Wanted 2 science/1 non. I was told to send a letter to be put in my file.

Penn State - Wanted 2 science/1 non. Was told to email the admissions office, waiting o hear back.

Pitt - Wanted 3 academic. I was told to email the admissions office, waiting to hear back.

Indiana - needs 1 science/1 non science. They were ok with my 2 science & 1 manager rec.

 

[sneakfreak]

My pre-health committee has been zero help since I entered college in 2000. I have two non-science recs, and my science professors are telling me that they do not remember me (I took my pre reqs early in my college career).

I am not sure what to do. If anyone has any suggestions, please le me know.

 

[maishaldan]

I wanted to start this thread because I figured maybe some of you were in a similar situation, and we could post the schools we talked to and what they said?? Hope this helps someone!

I'm assuming you're applying to pharm school, correct? Regardless, I hope my situation can help. I had a similar situation; except that I applied to DO schools last year (Graduated in 2000). I took one science class in the summer to get at least one LOR. I called the admissions offices of the schools I applied to and explained my dilemma, I was then directed to email their office a formal request to submit a substitute LOR. They also told me to give them a list of people who'd write letters on my behalf. I chose old supervisors, and a friend I've known for a really long time (an ER resident...thanks T-Bone!) TOURO told me to get letters from all four people on the list. WesternU/COMP let me choose one of the four.

I am not sure what to do. If anyone has any suggestions, please le me know.

Sneak, I would make the phone call. Let them know the score; if it doesn't look good, can you afford to take 1 if not 2 classes? And seriously, keep me posted...been there, done that, took the polaroid.

Any questions? Don't hesitate to shoot me a PM.

-Bert

 

[redrabbit]

Hey everyone,

Like must of us in the non-traditional forum, I've been out of school a few years before deciding to go through theis crazy process. 😀 Since I didn't "plan" to do this, I hadn't made all the appropriate contacts with professors for letters of recommendaiton. I was able to get letters from 2 pharmacy professors (please let everyone count them as science) and a manager I worked for post graduation, but I am having trouble with the non-science LOR. I decided to call some schools to see who would be ok without that letter, especially since I'd been out "only" years.

I wanted to start this thread because I figured maybe some of you were in a similar situation, and we could post the schools we talked to and what they said?? Hope this helps someone!

I'll start:

Drexel - Wanted 2 science/1 non. I was told to send a letter to be put in my file.

Penn State - Wanted 2 science/1 non. Was told to email the admissions office, waiting o hear back.

Pitt - Wanted 3 academic. I was told to email the admissions office, waiting to hear back.

Indiana - needs 1 science/1 non science. They were ok with my 2 science & 1 manager rec.

So does drexel not care if you don't have a non-science LOR?

 

[Law2Doc]

I'm assuming you're applying to pharm school, correct?

The answer to this question is going to change the advice. If you are talking premed, they usually still want LORs from undergrad or postbac professors -- so your pharm (graduate?) prof recommendations won't do at many places. Lots of nontrads have had to go back to undergrads and try to look up past profs or get a belated committee letter. I also note that as a nontrad, if you are talking premed, then you generally will want to get recommendations in excess of what the normal rules are (i.e. undergrad/postbac plus something from grad schools/profs plus an employment LOR, if any). As always, you can check with the target schools and see what they would consider adequate.
I cannot comment on what pharm school requires.

 

[Filibuster]

As always, you can check with the target schools and see what they would consider adequate.
I cannot comment on what pharm school requires.

This is the way I did it. As a matter of fact, here's what I wrote to each target school, followed up a few days later by a phone call if no email response was received.

To whom it may concern:

I am a non-traditional applicant and have been out of college for some
time (19xx). As such, I was only able to obtain one letter of
recommendation from a college professor. I was wondering if it would be
possible to send letters of recommendation from the following people,
in lieu of your normal requirements.

1. A College Professor (Organic Chemistry)
2. A CEO of a small company I worked for (Supervisor)
3. A former Supervisor
4. A Doctor whom I have shadowed (Family practice)
5. A Peer letter (optionally)

Sincerely,
nontrad


Don't bother with Einstein or Boston University if you are applying to the medical school. They are VERY strict. Like Law2Doc I don't know about any pharm schools.