non-science professor

[IzzyMarieDMD]

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So I have a family friend who is the dean of a non-science department at my school. Would a letter of rec. from him count as a non-science professor letter even though I've never actually taken a class with him? Thanks in advance.

 

[I'mFillingFine]

So I have a family friend who is the dean of a non-science department at my school. Would a letter of rec. from him count as a non-science professor letter even though I've never actually taken a class with him? Thanks in advance.

Having a non-science prof who you took a class with is fine and encouraged, since it shows that you have well-balanced interests. However, in my opinion your situation would make it painfully obvious that you were trying to get "people in high places" to liven up your application. I think that a professor who loved having you in class will do a lot more for your chances than a family friend who can shell out important names. There's always room for that later in your career 🙄

 

[SHC1984]

does he have the SAME last name as you?? if not then no one will have to know you are related.... just tell him to talk about your professional skills and things that will sound good for you.. since he is your family friend you can ask him to let you READ the letter before its send. 👍

So I have a family friend who is the dean of a non-science department at my school. Would a letter of rec. from him count as a non-science professor letter even though I've never actually taken a class with him? Thanks in advance.

 

[slashnroses19]

here's my dilemma. some schools require 3 science where some require 2 and a non-science letter. however, aadsas only lets us send 4 which i assume 1 letter should be reserved for the dentist. is anyone having the same issue?

 

[SHC1984]

YES! it sucks... you will just have to BEG one person to send it to 10 schools themselves, but make sure that person really likes you and give them alots of stamps....

 

[slashnroses19]

do we have to print out the aadsas form when they send a letter outside of aadsas? my volunteer coordinator would be glad to do it, id just help him stuff the envelopes🙂 its a little more than 10...

 

[SHC1984]

No if he is going to send it himself he will have to make 10+ copies etc.. but NO AADSAS forms needed! just his letter...

 

[Tired Pigeon]

So I have a family friend who is the dean of a non-science department at my school. Would a letter of rec. from him count as a non-science professor letter even though I've never actually taken a class with him? Thanks in advance.

Generally LORs from professors include commentary about, among other things, your performance in their class. Alternatively, there may be information about work you did for them in their lab. In any case there is some description of the professional relationship between you and the writer. This would, of course, be absent from a LOR from a family friend (if we can assume the letter writer is honest). That will look odd; even if it's not flagged during the preliminary review of your application, what will you say in an interview when they ask you about how you got to know Dr. so-and-so and how they came to write you such a good LOR?

 

[I'mFillingFine]

here's my dilemma. some schools require 3 science where some require 2 and a non-science letter. however, aadsas only lets us send 4 which i assume 1 letter should be reserved for the dentist. is anyone having the same issue?

Not many schools ask for letters from dentists. LORs from profs are much more valuable to adcoms since they show your academic motivation rather than the result of you politely shadowing for a few days. Usually schools that require PROOF of shadowing just ask for it supplementally and they'll let you know when they want it. Of course, each school is different, but I would reserve the spaces for professors.

and good point, Tired Pigeon!

 

[slashnroses19]

i think the dentist knows me better than some professors cause i worked for him for 4 months. but the academic motivation part is a good point. thanks.

 

[pmantz]

I hated getting this letter, because I took most of my general education classes my first year cause I was still deciding what the hell I was going to do with myself. By the time I got to applying I had taken prettymuch all science courses for the past three years, I had no idea who to ask and if anyone would remember me. All my non-science classes were one semester and it can be difficult to establish a relaitionship, especialy when at the time you took the class you had no idea you would be needing a favor down the road. It was kind of lame aproaching someone I hadn't talked to for years and ask for a letter, the science people were way easy, oh well.

 

[shainapunim]

A couple of the websites I saw asking for a non-sci prof also said that it could be substituted by a letter from your pre-health dean. Is there anywhere where this isnt true?