non-science LORs

[stoutt]

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Hello all-

I have some questions regarding non-science LORs as i've been reading various information and am a bit confused. It seems that certain schools require one non-science LOR while other schools don't care. As of now I should 3 LORs. Two are from my major (bio) and 1 is from biochem but it is still science. I have 2 questions regarding non-science LORs:

1. I have read that if ones undergraduate institution compiles all LORs into composite letter that a non-science letter is not needed, even at institutions that usually require one. Is this universally true or only true at certain schools?

2. If it turns out that I need a non-science LOR I will be able to get one. However, for schools that do not require a non-science LOR will I be able to leave it out and only submit only my 3 science ones? Or if I have 4 scholastic LORs (3 science, 1 non-science) will I be required to submit them all to the schools I'm applying to. I ask this because I do not know the person who I will ask to write my non-science LOR as well as my science ones and figure that my 3 science LORs will be stronger.

Thanks for the info

 

[mauberley]

Hello all-

I have some questions regarding non-science LORs as i've been reading various information and am a bit confused. It seems that certain schools require one non-science LOR while other schools don't care. As of now I should 3 LORs. Two are from my major (bio) and 1 is from biochem but it is still science. I have 2 questions regarding non-science LORs:

1. I have read that if ones undergraduate institution compiles all LORs into composite letter that a non-science letter is not needed, even at institutions that usually require one. Is this universally true or only true at certain schools?

2. If it turns out that I need a non-science LOR I will be able to get one. However, for schools that do not require a non-science LOR will I be able to leave it out and only submit only my 3 science ones? Or if I have 4 scholastic LORs (3 science, 1 non-science) will I be required to submit them all to the schools I'm applying to. I ask this because I do not know the person who I will ask to write my non-science LOR as well as my science ones and figure that my 3 science LORs will be stronger.

Thanks for the info

1) Do you mean that your institution collects your letters into one packet (a "packet letter") or that you have a committee that will write a letter, perhaps using individual letters to form its opinion (a "committee letter")? If the latter, in general a committee letter is the sole letter needed for schools. If a packet letter, you still need the individual letters required by each school.

2) Yes, you can target letters to specific schools.

For future reference, there's a thread dedicated to questions on letters of recommendation. It is linked to from the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[kduck]

Just to add some more detail...
My school does letter packets, so most of my letters went everywhere together - i.e. they all went to every school. However, you also have the option to get a separate letter sent directly to AMCAS if you only want it to go to certain schools.
However, if your school does a committee letter, you pretty much have to have one, or else you are shooting yourself in the foot. If the service is offered and you choose not to use it, med schools will wonder what you were worried the committee would say about you.