Non-science faculty?

[kkosp2451]

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Does this have to be someone who's class you actually took, or can it be an advisor/other faculty?

 

[GaStu1994]

Does this have to be someone who's class you actually took, or can it be an advisor/other faculty?

You should request LoRs only from faculty who personally know you very well, either through your taking courses under this professor, conducting research under his/her guidance, etc. LoRs from non-STEM faculty members are perfectly fine. These can serve to highlight your academic abilities outside of the sciences – an increasingly important aspect of MD/DO admissions. I had five professorial LoRs, four of which were were from STEM faculty, and one of which was from the professor I took for freshman English Composition I & II, and whom I also had for a World Literature course. In my view, I would recommend (if possible), five faculty LoRs, at least three of which should be from STEM faculty and no less than one of which should be from non-STEM faculty.

 

[kkosp2451]

You should request LoRs only from faculty who personally know you very well, either through your taking courses under this professor, conducting research under his/her guidance, etc. LoRs from non-STEM faculty members are perfectly fine. These can serve to highlight your academic abilities outside of the sciences – an increasingly important aspect of MD/DO admissions. I had five professorial LoRs, four of which were were from STEM faculty, and one of which was from the professor I took for freshman English Composition I & II, and whom I also had for a World Literature course. In my view, I would recommend (if possible), five faculty LoRs, at least three of which should be from STEM faculty and no less than one of which should be from non-STEM faculty.

Thanks! Just wondering because the individual writing my LOR isn't one that I took a class with, but one of my professor's colleagues that I came to know very well. This person is not a science faculty. He wasn't my professor, but I do meet with him frequently because he provided me with a lot of insight about the process of medical school.

 

[GaStu1994]

Thanks! Just wondering because the individual writing my LOR isn't one that I took a class with, but one of my professor's colleagues that I came to know very well. This person is not a science faculty. He wasn't my professor, but I do meet with him frequently because he provided me with a lot of insight about the process of medical school.

Since he knows you well and has mentored you along your pre-med path to medical school, my view would be that a letter from him would be appropriate.

When you ask for letters from both university faculty and physicians, don't be hesitant to explicitly ask for a "very strong letter" outright. Anyone unwilling to acknowledge that he/she will write a very strong letter of recommendation should be passed on in favor of someone who will agree to do so.


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[arc5005]

This is not directly related to the OP, but would an Environmental Science professor count as a non-science faculty LOR for DO?

 

[GaStu1994]

This is not directly related to the OP, but would an Environmental Science professor count as a non-science faculty LOR for DO?

I am not certain about the specific desires of DO schools (I was an MD applicant), but I would expect that both MD and DO would be perfectly receptive to a strong letter written by an Environmental Science professor. As an Environmental Science course would be part of your calculated BCPM GPA, I would be very surprised if any school (MD or DO) viewed it as "non-science."

 

[Goro]

We get enough LORs stating how wonderful the candidates are. We want to know how they can handle intellectual rigor. The best LORs are ones of evaluation with plusses and minuses, not merely character references.

There are times I've heard my Adcom colleagues ask "Why would he ask this person for a letter????"

Thanks! Just wondering because the individual writing my LOR isn't one that I took a class with, but one of my professor's colleagues that I came to know very well. This person is not a science faculty. He wasn't my professor, but I do meet with him frequently because he provided me with a lot of insight about the process of medical school.