LORs Question

[raptor93]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm applying next cycle, and have 2 very generic letters of recs from science professors, and one good one from my dentist. Do you think this will have a big impact on my chances for admission to any dental school, say boston or nyu? I'm at a big state university where all classes are like 600 students and even upper divisions re like 200-400. I haven't done nay research either.

 

[J777]

Many schools weigh LORs heavily. Generic letters probably would not impress admissions committees (though your solid dentist LOR may offset that). Hopefully you can get a good committee letter if your school offers that. If not, perhaps you can get another solid letter from a professor or another dentist...

 

[y3nd0]

I also came from a large university and struggled to find letter writers when the time came. I imagined both my science letters to be generic to a little above average. But I had a character reference letter that was stunning. It was mentioned during my interview that I had a very strong character letter. So perhaps one great letter can override generic ones.

If you can't get another letter because you just don't have the connections to do so, just submit the ones you have. At least you completed the minimum letter requirements.

 

[sjv]

Yeah, if you can't get a more personal letter due to the above, there's not much else you can do, submit what you have.

 

[Sagittarius612]

You can try scheduling a meeting with your science profs and introduce yourself at a deeper level. Letting them know who you are? Why you would like to pursue dentistry, your ECs etc..

This will turn your LOR into a stronger one.

 

[Daneosaurus]

Umm, I'm sure most applicants have very generic LOR's. I tend to think most of the regulars on SDN are the higher end of average to the exceptional. Most of us will likely get in somewhere (SDN is an amazing resource/support group). We are the neurotic ones who nitpick every aspect of our application. I know LOR's matter, but they will likely not make/break you.

 

[dieanotherday]

my LORs saved me. Literally, every open file interview/call to discuss they told me it was my LOR that got me an interview not my GPA (3.4/3.5) or my DAT scores (13 in PAT)...so yeah

 

[Daneosaurus]

my LORs saved me. Literally, every open file interview/call to discuss they told me it was my LOR that got me an interview not my GPA (3.4/3.5) or my DAT scores (13 in PAT)...so yeah

N=1, but Congrats!

 

[raptor93]

my LORs saved me. Literally, every open file interview/call to discuss they told me it was my LOR that got me an interview not my GPA (3.4/3.5) or my DAT scores (13 in PAT)...so yeah

Thats amazing, yeah but I'm kind of the opposite I have above avg grades and am hoping this will compensate for my below avg LORs. I will probably try and squeeze in a better letter this semester from an upper division course. Thanks for all of your input guys.