Post Bacc without LORs?

[esafille]

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I was wondering if there were any post bacc programs out there for career-changers (law to med) that would not require letters of recommendation. While I could get a letter or two, they would be from law professors or employers in legal jobs, so they wouldn't be all too helpful. And if I were to start volunteering or shadowing now, it wouldn't give me much time between starting and needing the letter written (to get it in on time for apps and all).

Any programs (or solutions) come to mind?

 

[akinetopsia]

For an informal post-bac, you do not usually need LORs. In my case, I just had to apply to the local university I had graduated from as a transfer student (not sure how that works, but it's online and that was the only option- it was either apply as a freshman or apply as a transfer student, there was no option for "continuing studies" or "second-degree seeker" online).

For the formal ones, you may need LORs, but I think LORs come into play more so for SMPs and actually applying to M.D./D.O. schools through their centralized services (AMCAS/AACOMAS), and people use Interfolio to collect letters a lot, it seems like (or VirtualEvals, I've heard of that as well).

Maybe someone else that went through a formal post-bac will be able to contribute something more accurate.

 

[esafille]

For an informal post-bac, you do not usually need LORs. In my case, I just had to apply to the local university I had graduated from as a transfer student (not sure how that works, but it's online and that was the only option- it was either apply as a freshman or apply as a transfer student, there was no option for "continuing studies" or "second-degree seeker" online).

For the formal ones, you may need LORs, but I think LORs come into play more so for SMPs and actually applying to M.D./D.O. schools through their centralized services (AMCAS/AACOMAS), and people use Interfolio to collect letters a lot, it seems like (or VirtualEvals, I've heard of that as well).

Maybe someone else that went through a formal post-bac will be able to contribute something more accurate.

I have been under the impression that for the informal post-baccs, where I'd just be taking the classes outside of a set program, that all I would have to do is apply to be a non-degree seeking student or whatever. But for the formal 1 or 2 year programs (even those not granting a degree or certificate), I would need to submit letters. After my original post, I contacted an employer and a professor, and asked if they could write positive, general recommendation letters for me (talking about my intellectual capacity, how I was as a student, etc., but without talking specifically about the law). I think that should be fine. If anyone out there disagrees, though, please do let me know! =)

 

[DrSmooth]

LORs from law professors and your supervisors in the legal profession should be fine for a postbacc. They are supposed to assess your character and aptitude to handle "rigorous science coursework". When I applied to my postbacc program I got 1 letter from my boss at the time (in a non-medical field) and 1 letter from a previous professor in a graduate level international development class.

 

[esafille]

LORs from law professors and your supervisors in the legal profession should be fine for a postbacc. They are supposed to assess your character and aptitude to handle "rigorous science coursework". When I applied to my postbacc program I got 1 letter from my boss at the time (in a non-medical field) and 1 letter from a previous professor in a graduate level international development class.

Fortunately, the former employer responded right away, and said he'd put together something ASAP. Waiting to hear back from the Prof, but I'll see him in a few hours for my evening class. The letters are the only things I need for my post bacc apps, so I hope he comes through quickly!