Not Meeting Letters of Recs requirements

[phillz123]

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I have 5 letters of rec but certain schools have specific requirements about who the letter writers should be...for example Hopkins requires 2 senior faculty members from science departments...I only have 1, and the other is from a Graduate Student Instructor.

Are schools usually flexible with this? or should i not even bother applying...

 

[Surf Rx]

You should call the schools and ask them. Some schools will end up being flexible about these things.

 

[jsoh432000]

When you call and ask do they make a note on your record to allow different letters?

 

[inaminute]

When you call and ask do they make a note on your record to allow different letters?

*polishing my crystal ball*


hmm, it's not coming in so clear...

 

[alok]

I know exactly what you mean. I just found that UCSD requires 3 minimum letters, 2 from science background and 1 from humanities or social science background. I don't have a letter from someone who teaches humanities or social science.

So, I called UCSD today and they told me they will look at the letters i send in and that they won't reject me just because I didn't submit a letter from humanities professor. In short, UCSD seems flexible. (Can anyone verify this statement about UCSD and their requirements on LOR?)

Just call them up and ask!

 

[inaminute]

I know exactly what you mean. I just found that UCSD requires 3 minimum letters, 2 from science background and 1 from humanities or social science background. I don't have a letter from someone who teaches humanities or social science.

So, I called UCSD today and they told me they will look at the letters i send in and that they won't reject me just because I didn't submit a letter from humanities professor. In short, UCSD seems flexible. (Can anyone verify this statement about UCSD and their requirements on LOR?)

Just call them up and ask!

I called them. They said to tell you they gotcha.

 

[alok]

I called them. They said to tell you they gotcha.

What do you mean they said to tell you they gotcha? So, they do require a LOR from humanities??

 

[inaminute]

What do you mean they said to tell you they gotcha? So, they do require a LOR from humanities??

Dang, buddy, you need to decide whether you trust the admissions folks or not. I suggest you call back and ask the same question and get a name and email addy and then email that person back with a request that they print out your email (which will succinctly summarize your understanding) and stick it in your file. Otherwise I suspect there will be no living with ya.

 

[phillz123]

Alot of schools ask for 2 science FACULTY letter writers, but in that department I have one from a TA that is Co-signed by professor, and the other one is just a TA. Other than that, my other letters are really good (they let me read them). I have one from my English teacher, one from a clinical research doctor I helped, and one from a mentoring supervisor that I worked under...

i have a good MCAT score, GPA, and my PS is pretty good I think...I hope that they can overlook this?!

worried about the 2 science faculty requirement since it is the most important thing...but I will call on monday.

 

[alok]

Dang, buddy, you need to decide whether you trust the admissions folks or not. I suggest you call back and ask the same question and get a name and email addy and then email that person back with a request that they print out your email (which will succinctly summarize your understanding) and stick it in your file. Otherwise I suspect there will be no living with ya.

You know, you're a little rude! Learn to talk a little nicer.

 

[alwaysaangel]

They're usually a bit flexible with the GSI versus senior professor thing. But call and ask to be sure.

Also to Alok, not to stress you out but a lot of schools require a humanities letter and not all are as gracious as UCSD. You might want to try to get a humanities letter if at all possible - thats a pretty common requirement - I'd say half the schools I applied to wanted a humanities.

 

[alok]

They're usually a bit flexible with the GSI versus senior professor thing. But call and ask to be sure.

Also to Alok, not to stress you out but a lot of schools require a humanities letter and not all are as gracious as UCSD. You might want to try to get a humanities letter if at all possible - thats a pretty common requirement - I'd say half the schools I applied to wanted a humanities.

Yeah, I surfed around the medical school sites right now. Some of the schools I applied to do require it. I am going to get a humanities letter.

 

[littlealex]

You have 5 letters of rec, but no humanities and only 1 science.

So what are these magical other letters from? Doctors you shadowed?

 

[phillz123]

You have 5 letters of rec, but no humanities and only 1 science.

So what are these magical other letters from? Doctors you shadowed?

I answered this a few posts earlier, but here are the 5 recs I have.

1) Cell biology lab - Co-signed by professor
2) Endocrinology - GSI written

the above two are my "two science" letters, but as you can see, only 1 has a professor endorsement...and it wasnt even written by the prof!

3) Clinical Research Supervisor from Stanford Hospital
4) Volunteer Mentoring Supervisor
5) German Literature Professor

 

[Chuck's Right Foot]

I answered this a few posts earlier, but here are the 5 recs I have.

1) Cell biology lab - Co-signed by professor
2) Endocrinology - GSI written

the above two are my "two science" letters, but as you can see, only 1 has a professor endorsement...and it wasnt even written by the prof!

3) Clinical Research Supervisor from Stanford Hospital
4) Volunteer Mentoring Supervisor
5) German Literature Professor

If you have a composite letter from a University, they accept that. If you supply individual letters, you must (without other arrangments) meet the reqs. However, other arrangements can be made with some schools.

 

[QuacksterVu]

I know exactly what you mean. I just found that UCSD requires 3 minimum letters, 2 from science background and 1 from humanities or social science background. I don't have a letter from someone who teaches humanities or social science.

So, I called UCSD today and they told me they will look at the letters i send in and that they won't reject me just because I didn't submit a letter from humanities professor. In short, UCSD seems flexible. (Can anyone verify this statement about UCSD and their requirements on LOR?)

Just call them up and ask!

I sent them an email a while back and got this response:

Hello (*snip*) -

Our preference would be to have at least one letter from outside the broad category of "science and medicine" - some examples would be professors for non-science courses, work supervisorss, community service supervisors, etc.

But if you do not feel you can get a meaningful letter from somebody, then we will accept the letters you describe.

Office of Admissions
UCSD School of Medicine

Hope that helps.

 

[phillz123]

Oh thats reassuring! How does it work though? Is it more of a general policy, or do they specifically have to allow it in your file (for UCSD)?

monday ill be calling all the schools, ill post what happens!

 

[scraibin]

going back to what the OP asked, I applied to Hopkins last year and was rejected post-interview. After talking with the Dean, she told me I had only 1 science letter when they asked for 2. Now I'm sure thats not the only reason why I got no love (applied pretty late too and I'm Canadian,), but if I were you I wouldn't risk it. Just my 2cents. Good luck!

 

[lindell12a]

Do medical schools care if the letters are from PhDs? I was going to get a letter of rec from my physics professor and he is not a PhD, he is currently in graduate school. Would that be OK?

 

[phillz123]

going back to what the OP asked, I applied to Hopkins last year and was rejected post-interview. After talking with the Dean, she told me I had only 1 science letter when they asked for 2. Now I'm sure thats not the only reason why I got no love (applied pretty late too and I'm Canadian,), but if I were you I wouldn't risk it. Just my 2cents. Good luck!

well the fact that you got an interview at all means it cant be too strict there...disadvantage yes, but by no means an auto-reject. thanks for sharing.

 

[Haemulon]

Letters from TA's usually do not carry the weight of those from Professors. I am not sure about MS versus PhD professors, but usually a PhD is a requirement to be a Professor in the sciences. Different schools have different requirements, and you may have to send different combinations of letters to different schools. You may not need all letters for all schools. But if you can, I would try to locate:

2 science LOR's (At least one life-science, but also physical science if possible). 1 humanities LOR. 1+ Others that you can think of from major activities (volunteering, research, etc ...). If you attended grad school, you will want to try and get one from there as well since many schools require a letter from your grad school advisor or committee member. Also, if your school has a pre-med commitee, some schools will require a letter from that committee (sometimes as a replacement for the individual letters, sometimes in addition to them).

Again, you won't need all of these for each school. But if you have them, it makes your life a lot easier. Everyone is different though, and most schools will work with you and circumstances. Bottom line: LOR's can be a royal pain in the buttocks.

 

[maestro1625]

Do medical schools care if the letters are from PhDs? I was going to get a letter of rec from my physics professor and he is not a PhD, he is currently in graduate school. Would that be OK?

I'd assume that would be the same thing as with a TA.

though on the PhD thing, I did have a humanities professor write me a rec when she only had a masters (however, I'm not sure that they even offer PhDs in printmaking).

 

[phillz123]

going back to what the OP asked, I applied to Hopkins last year and was rejected post-interview. After talking with the Dean, she told me I had only 1 science letter when they asked for 2. Now I'm sure thats not the only reason why I got no love (applied pretty late too and I'm Canadian,), but if I were you I wouldn't risk it. Just my 2cents. Good luck!

i just called hopkins to ask about their leniency regarding the letter requirements...the person on the phone gave me a huge attitude basically saying she couldnt understand why the heck I couldnt meet the requirements, there were no excuses and no exceptions. How did you even get an interview at hopkins then? Those interview slots are precious. unless this person I talked to is just totally off...can someone else try calling and asking? 410-955-3182 monday-wednesday 2-4 eastern time only.

anyway, every other school i have called so far has said its fine

and a side note on UCSD - i called and they said they CHANGED thier letter requirements to be more flexible, so they basically can take anything now as long as you have people that taught/supervised you.

 

[TheRealMD]

General requirements so this can be easily settled.

Usually acceptable:

Pre-med committee letter

OR

2 science profs, 1 non-science prof.

Other important things:
Grad school: Should probably get a letter here
Working: Get a letter from a supervisor
Extensive volunteering: Good letter to get
Research: Also a good letter here.

Just keep in mind that some schools like for you to ONLY give them what they want (standard committee letter or 3 recs), while others ask for upto 5 or 6. Just keep in mind the basics and go from there.

 

[alok]

and a side note on UCSD - i called and they said they CHANGED thier letter requirements to be more flexible, so they basically can take anything now as long as you have people that taught/supervised you.

I think the reason that UCSD has chaged their LOR requirements is because rest of the california schools (UCs, Stanford, USC, Loma Linda) do not require a non-science letter. Since UCSD is a state-funded school, they have to go along with other UCs.

 

[scraibin]

i just called hopkins to ask about their leniency regarding the letter requirements...the person on the phone gave me a huge attitude basically saying she couldnt understand why the heck I couldnt meet the requirements, there were no excuses and no exceptions. How did you even get an interview at hopkins then? Those interview slots are precious. unless this person I talked to is just totally off...can someone else try calling and asking? 410-955-3182 monday-wednesday 2-4 eastern time only.

anyway, every other school i have called so far has said its fine

and a side note on UCSD - i called and they said they CHANGED thier letter requirements to be more flexible, so they basically can take anything now as long as you have people that taught/supervised you.

from what that person said then I guess they are pretty strict on the LORs meeting their requirements--or maybe she's just having a bad day😕. I just remember being told first off that I made a mistake not sending the required. You might get an interview without 2 science letters but the school's so competitive, any little reason might just knock you off the acceptance list 🙁.