Non Science LOR question

[wembanyamafan]

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Hi I had a quick question regarding non-science letters of rec. I am planning on asking my dance professor who I took a class with in University. However, she is listed as a “continuing lecturer” and not as a faculty and does not have a PhD as far as I know. Will this affect the value of the letter at all? Also, does the subject material count as a non-science LOR? Thank you in advance

 

[LizzyM]

Consider these guidelines for letter writers from AAMC. How might the instructor describe you based on these guidelines?

https://www.aamc.org/system/files?file=2019-09/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

It may vary by school but at Berkeley a continuing lecturer is one who "has passed an excellence review, after completing 12 semesters of service. Assigned ongoing appointment percentages for fall/spring teaching." Given that many schools no longer want to hire tenure eligible faculty ($$$) more and more you are going to be taught by these lecturers and medical schools, I think, will find it acceptable.

 

[wembanyamafan]

Hmm, I do go to another UC and I believe she has been teaching since at least 2009. I was wondering if her education status as having a masters rather than PhD will have any effect. I tried doing research and found little information online if schools would accept this type of letter. I truly believe that this instructor could provide a great letter to me but I am just worried that schools may not accept it for various reasons

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Hmm, I do go to another UC and I believe she has been teaching since at least 2009. I was wondering if her education status as having a masters rather than PhD will have any effect. I tried doing research and found little information online if schools would accept this type of letter. I truly believe that this instructor could provide a great letter to me but I am just worried that schools may not accept it for various reasons

You can still be a lecturer with a master's degree. If it is a strong letter, the degree won't be a problem.

 

[Z_C]

One letter I sent to all universities I applied to was written by a person who had not graduated high school but who knows me very well in my non-academic professional life. As long as you have some letters from natural science faculty I suspect this will not be an issue.

 

[AsclepiusAdvisingLLC]

The goal of non-science letters are two fold:

1) Prove that you have committed yourself to an activity in the way you outline in your primary application
2) Attest to your academic strengths in a non-science course.

If you solicit a letter from you Dance Professor, you must describe to them how to best craft the letter to highlight one or both of these aims. For example, they could attest to your commitment to dance and that you will demonstrate a similar commitment to your patients as a physician. They could also write directly about your performance in their courses and how didactic dance coursework could translate to a medical curricula in terms of your general academic strengths. These are the things you must consider. Focus less on their credentialing and more on whether they are a good choice for you to select as an advocate for your application.