Need advice on my LORs!

[osumc2014]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I have been reading SDN and the consensus is that science LORs are much more important than personal letters? I figure they would get what you know about science from your grades and personal letters would be more weighted. But oh well, anyway I already have a letter from:

1 lab graded class prof (solid),
research PI/MD (so busy secretary is helping with it so dont expect much),
Volunteer coordinator (good),
Lab prof that I TA'd with, so not a class prof (good),
student organization faculty (Very very strong),

And I'm trying to ask for another from my major class (science) that I'm taking right now. I do not know him very well but I have been getting decent grades in the class. Should I just go ask to meet with him? He is a very nice guy.

Also, would I be in trouble if I do not have a nonscience professor LOR?

 

[Mattabet]

That's a solid bunch of letters. Check the websites of places you're applying to - some are going to require a nonscience class letter. If they don't, then you don't need to bother with it.

 

[osumc2014]

What if some of them say preferred? I feel like I have no way of getting one.

 

[OpalOnyx]

What if some of them say preferred? I feel like I have no way of getting one.

ask a few profs you took humanities, etc courses with - and you can mail it later on maybe.

 

[osumc2014]

ask a few profs you took humanities, etc courses with - and you can mail it later on maybe.

Hmm its been over a year since I took one haha and I really did not get to know any real well...this could be a problem

 

[tiedyeddog]

Hmm its been over a year since I took one haha and I really did not get to know any real well...this could be a problem

Maybe pick one where you did well in the class and ask if they would be receptive to getting to know you better? Sounds like you're in a rough position...

 

[osumc2014]

Maybe pick one where you did well in the class and ask if they would be receptive to getting to know you better? Sounds like you're in a rough position...

See the thing is that no school I'm applying to requires one from nonscience, just some prefer one. How important is it to get one then?

 

[tiedyeddog]

See the thing is that no school I'm applying to requires one from nonscience, just some prefer one. How important is it to get one then?

I would say important enough to not ignore. However, it is also possible that if you find someone to write it who doesn't know you well that the letter will turn out to be crap. I personally would not do it if the schools only prefer it.

 

[flip26]

I have been reading SDN and the consensus is that science LORs are much more important than personal letters? I figure they would get what you know about science from your grades and personal letters would be more weighted. But oh well, anyway I already have a letter from:

1 lab graded class prof (solid),
research PI/MD (so busy secretary is helping with it so dont expect much),
Volunteer coordinator (good),
Lab prof that I TA'd with, so not a class prof (good),
student organization faculty (Very very strong),

And I'm trying to ask for another from my major class (science) that I'm taking right now. I do not know him very well but I have been getting decent grades in the class. Should I just go ask to meet with him? He is a very nice guy.

Also, would I be in trouble if I do not have a nonscience professor LOR?

Start with the basics: you really need faculty letters from 2 science / 1 non-science. Other letters that are expected: one from a PI if you have that kind of research experience and are applying to schools that want that (Harvard, etc), or a committee letter if your school offers it. These 3 to 5 letters will cover you at 99 percent of schools.

Other than that, the extra letters you mention are OK to have, but only in addition to the basics above. As for the extras, many schools don't want to see them, and more or less say it by limiting the total number of letters to 3 or 4...