No science letters?

[Served]

Many schools require 2 letters from science professors and 1 from nonscience. I have two letters from engineering professors, but a lot of schools are telling me that they don't consider engineering as science. By "science," they mean natural science like biology, chemistry, physics, etc. So right now I have 3 letters from non-science professors. I've already submitted my secondaries, and I'm stressing out because this means most of my applications won't even be looked at by the adcoms (hence get rejected).

How in the world am I supposed to get these letters now if it's been a while since I graduated?

 

[workaholic181]

Many schools require 2 letters from science professors and 1 from nonscience. I have two letters from engineering professors, but a lot of schools are telling me that they don't consider engineering as science. By "science," they mean natural science like biology, chemistry, physics, etc. So right now I have 3 letters from non-science professors. I've already submitted my secondaries, and I'm stressing out because this means most of my applications won't even be looked at by the adcoms (hence get rejected).

How in the world am I supposed to get these letters now if it's been a while since I graduated?

I ended up not needing it, but I straight up emailed a professor from 2+ years ago, stating my situation and bringing up somethings from her class. She said yes, so it's possible one of your old profs could too.

 

[Skiiiiiing]

Many schools require 2 letters from science professors and 1 from nonscience. I have two letters from engineering professors, but a lot of schools are telling me that they don't consider engineering as science. By "science," they mean natural science like biology, chemistry, physics, etc. So right now I have 3 letters from non-science professors. I've already submitted my secondaries, and I'm stressing out because this means most of my applications won't even be looked at by the adcoms (hence get rejected).

How in the world am I supposed to get these letters now if it's been a while since I graduated?

Adcoms do not care even a single iota. For the goobers who only accept one basket of letters, you're done.

 

[Ad2b]

Adcoms do not care even a single iota. For the goobers who only accept one basket of letters, you're done.

why are you always so entirely negative, and wrong?

 

[DocJanItor]

Your making the equivalency of what is calculated for BCPM for AMCAS is a) only acceptable science and b) accepted universally by all medical schools. Since LORs are defined by each school, that would be a false equivalency. It would be impossible to discern the strictness and perception by each adcom on this issue

As for the OP's question, Einstein's requirement is "the second letter should be from a member of a science department different from the reference who is writing the first letter." First, use references from the two professors who know you best and will write you the strongest letters, even of the same department. This will be of more value than a strict interpretation of the rule. Second, Computer Science or as the Engineering suggestion above would work. Engineering of all types would be likely viewed favorably by an adcom as well as Computer Science. In others words, dont get so focused on the strict literal fulfillment of the listed requirement to the detriment of the quality

Engineering is science. They want to make sure you can handle scientific rigor. Did medical schools tell you that they don't consider it science? If so, they're pretty dumb.

 

[bears1992]

I applied to 26 DO schools and my two science letters were mechanical engineering and chemistry. Only one school initially rejected the engineering letter but they accepted it after I called. MD might be different because engineering does not count as BCPM while it does count in your sGPA for DO.

 

[Ad2b]

Engineering is science.

Just wanted to say props for Gonnifing Gonnif (quoting his entire post) because he's now deleted it

Engineering is not science, imo. Parts of the degree program are. Physics, chem, math, etc all count.

Below pics are from: Northwestern Engineering School, BU Engineering, IEEE

 

[bears1992]

Just wanted to say props for Gonnifing Gonnif (quoting his entire post) because he's now deleted it

Engineering is not science, imo. Parts of the degree program are. Physics, chem, math, etc all count.

Below pics are from: Northwestern Engineering School, BU Engineering, IEEE

Well my diploma says "bachelors of science in mechanical engineering". I understand it is not a hard science but I still think that it would fall under the science catagory.

 

[DocJanItor]

Just wanted to say props for Gonnifing Gonnif (quoting his entire post) because he's now deleted it

Engineering is not science, imo. Parts of the degree program are. Physics, chem, math, etc all count.

Below pics are from: Northwestern Engineering School, BU Engineering, IEEE

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Engineering *education* is science. I've had more physics, thermodynamics, circuits, fluid mechanics than I care to remember. All of it was science. The actual practice of engineering is generally not science, unless you are doing engineering research.

 

[Goro]

Many schools require 2 letters from science professors and 1 from nonscience. I have two letters from engineering professors, but a lot of schools are telling me that they don't consider engineering as science. By "science," they mean natural science like biology, chemistry, physics, etc. So right now I have 3 letters from non-science professors. I've already submitted my secondaries, and I'm stressing out because this means most of my applications won't even be looked at by the adcoms (hence get rejected).

How in the world am I supposed to get these letters now if it's been a while since I graduated?

By lacking the required LORs, I am worried about rejections.

BUT, the best way to find out is to double check the Admissions websites of the schools you have applied to, and also contact Admissions deans if there is any hint of ambiguity.

Suggest you take some bio classes over this year and get those LORs, just in case.