LORs question

[orangeman25]

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So generally schools need 2 letters from science professors and one non-science letter. Can a physician you shadow replace a non science professor's letter for most schools?

Finally, is there more "weight" placed on certain letters (for example more weight place on science professor letter vs letter from employer)?

 

[pterygoideus]

Is there absolutely no non-science person you can get a solid rec from? In probably the only occasion of complex forethought I ever accomplished in undergrad, I kept in amiable contact with my freshman year writing professor all the way through senior year and graduation. If you have one who at least remembers you fondly, they might ask for a copy of your resume/CV so that they can fill in a positive but otherwise vague rec with more substance.

 

[orangeman25]

I guess I could muster one up but it wouldn't be strong. Should I look into individual schools and what kind of letters they require?

 

[pterygoideus]

Definitely. Early on, when I had a unique issue with bio labs, I made an excel spreadsheet with every school I was interested in and their admissions phone #s. I then spent 2 days calling down the list just asking the same question. It wouldn't hurt to do the same thing for this - sample as many of the schools as you think you're interested in, then go to their websites and read up on the rec letters. If anything is ambiguous, put their number on the list and call them up. The offices I talked to were always friendly-ish and sometimes pointed me to the dean when they couldn't answer my question.

 

[terp720]

check requirements at different schools as suggested, but from my experience they may still require your non-science letter to be from someone who actually taught you in an academic setting.

So generally schools need 2 letters from science professors and one non-science letter. Can a physician you shadow replace a non science professor's letter for most schools?

Finally, is there more "weight" placed on certain letters (for example more weight place on science professor letter vs letter from employer)?