Mandatory Chem LOR?

[Theta1]

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I was planning on getting my 2 science LOR's from my microbiology and embryology professor since they know me pretty well, but I noticed that some schools specifically want one science LOR from a chem professor.

The last time I took a chem course was organic(3 years ago) and the professor has no idea who I am(also got a B). I was just thinking about sending an email explaining my situation along with my resume and hoping to hear back from him.

Did any of you guys have the same problem?

 

[cowbuddha]

I was planning on getting my 2 science LOR's from my microbiology and embryology professor since they know me pretty well, but I noticed that some schools specifically want one science LOR from a chem professor.

The last time I took a chem course was organic(3 years ago) and the professor has no idea who I am(also got a B). I was just thinking about sending an email explaining my situation along with my resume and hoping to hear back from him.

Did any of you guys have the same problem?

Never heard that specific LOR requirement before. It seems unnecessarily picky. What school(s) require it?

 

[small]

Maryland wants one from Bio and one from Chem (plus another, of course).
Not really being picky, just want to see recommendations from professors of the main prereq/DAT subjects

 

[Theta1]

Maryland wants one from Bio and one from Chem (plus another, of course).
Not really being picky, just want to see recommendations from professors of the main prereq/DAT subjects

The problem is that the content will differ. My upper-level bio professors will probably write a good letter with more details, whereas my orgo professor might just write "........took my class and received a B. I would recommend him/her".

 

[Sbosu]

will these schools not consider your application complete and review it, if you dont have these extremely specific lor requirments.

 

[ummjoey]

dont apply to that school?

but if you really want to meet their requirements then just try asking the professor. remember to only send the specific school this letter. i wouldnt want the other schools to see a weak letter.

 

[I-Baby]

A question just popped up in my head...does aadsas send the letters to the respective schools based on the individual types of letters that they want or do they just send all of them?

 

[SanOnofre2002]

I had that problem with Columbia last cycle. I sent a letter explaining my circumstances and why I couldn't meet what they were asking for (they wanted 3 science letters). There's no way to know if that helped, but they never questioned me on it and I was accepted as well. Give it a try, it couldn't hurt. Also, I recommend actually mailing a real letter vice email.

 

[ummjoey]

A question just popped up in my head...does aadsas send the letters to the respective schools based on the individual types of letters that they want or do they just send all of them?

as far as i know, AADSAS will send all the letters.

 

[Ranelar]

as far as i know, AADSAS will send all the letters.

ACK really? I'm also in the same boat with Tufts, they want one letter from a bio/biochem teacher (that's fine) and one from a math/physics/chem teacher (I had NO interaction with any of those guys). I dont want my physics rec to go to my other schools...

 

[small]

How to avoid sending the odd physics/chem prof recommendation to schools that don't require them:

Get your four letters from profs and dentists you like, send those to aadsas. Then, call the school and tell them you'd like to apply to their school but have already submitted your max LOR amount and that didn't not include a letter from subject X prof. They will say, "OK, we understand, just send the letter directly to us." Problem solved. Maryland accepted my chem letter sent directly to them. These people are reasonable and sure to understand the explained situation.

If you don't really know your chem or physics prof, go talk with them a bit, explain the situation, and give them your resume and the masterpiece you wrote for your application. They might not be your best LOR, but you need it for some of these schools.

For the record, I honestly added Maryland after send my max LOR. I wasn't avoiding send a less-than great chem letter to other schools.

 

[ummjoey]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=505094

i put three links in that thread you can check out.

 

[Ranelar]

Sorta off topic, but most schools say they want letters from science teachers, some go as far as to require senior faculty. I'm wondering, do these have to be teachers that I've actually taken classes from? My old PI is a biochem teacher and head of the department, but I didn't take a class from him. I was hoping to use his letter though.

 

[ummjoey]

Sorta off topic, but most schools say they want letters from science teachers, some go as far as to require senior faculty. I'm wondering, do these have to be teachers that I've actually taken classes from? My old PI is a biochem teacher and head of the department, but I didn't take a class from him. I was hoping to use his letter though.

im pretty sure this is fine.