Professors of Science Letters of Recommendation- HELP!!!

[millionairemind92]

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Hi All,
I am a third time medical school applicant. I have been out of college for 2 years now, and am required to have 2 letters from "professors of science." I have thus far, emailed 5 of my closest professors from my undergraduate institution, and I got a response either saying "no, I don't remember you" or not responding at all. I have alot of research experience since college graduation and have interacted extensively with my PI and other research professors. Would any of these count as "professors of science?" Also, I have clinical experience and am planning on getting one of my letters from the MD I work with.
You all are awesome!
Any "professor of science" advice is appreciated.

 

[capit]

I would think that a research science professor counts as a science professor, but you should check with the schools you'll be applying to.

 

[Oso]

I'm pretty sure a 'science prof' means someone who taught you in a science course. Letters from PI's and physicians count as 'extra letters' (outside the core of 2 science, 1 non-science).

Since you've got nothing to lose, I would suggest emailing the profs again and trying to set up a meeting, either in person or via phone/Skype. But don't push it, if that doesn't work, then I'm afraid all you can really do is email other profs.

Also, what letters did you use the first two times you applied?? Did you apply without science letters? Note that if your school writes committee letters, then you are fine.

 

[moisne]

Hi All,
I am a third time medical school applicant. I have been out of college for 2 years now, and am required to have 2 letters from "professors of science." I have thus far, emailed 5 of my closest professors from my undergraduate institution, and I got a response either saying "no, I don't remember you" or not responding at all. I have alot of research experience since college graduation and have interacted extensively with my PI and other research professors. Would any of these count as "professors of science?" Also, I have clinical experience and am planning on getting one of my letters from the MD I work with.
You all are awesome!
Any "professor of science" advice is appreciated.

If I were you, I would visit them in person.

I was also out of school for 3.5 years, but I had visited my teachers a few times since. I also included a picture. This also had helped, I included bullet points about me such as:
- the Asian that ate every day in your class in the front row
- the Asian female that would request to see my test.
- the most important thing I learned in mass transfer was membranes
- blah blah blah

This helped her wrote a LOR bc I basically gave her hints on who I was, my accomplishments in her class, and what I have done since leaving. I think she probably just took half my bullet points and put it in paragraph form

 

[millionairemind92]

I'm pretty sure a 'science prof' means someone who taught you in a science course. Letters from PI's and physicians count as 'extra letters' (outside the core of 2 science, 1 non-science).

Since you've got nothing to lose, I would suggest emailing the profs again and trying to set up a meeting, either in person or via phone/Skype. But don't push it, if that doesn't work, then I'm afraid all you can really do is email other profs.

Also, what letters did you use the first two times you applied?? Did you apply without science letters? Note that if your school writes committee letters, then you are fine.

The first time I applied, I used three lecture science professors (all of which I have currently sent an email to). That application cycle, I was only 19 years old, and I recieved a 17 on my MCAT. The second time I applied, I used the 1. the PI I was working and 2 doctorate science mentors at the university I was currently employed at. The second cycle, I received a 21 on my MCAT. I blamed my low MCAT scores for no acceptances. I graduated from both high school and college in three years if you are curious as to why I applied to medical school at 19. I graduated from undergrad with a neuroscience degree with a 3.95 cumulative GPA (4.0 non-science, 3.92 science). I am retaking the MCAT for the third time this summer and am feeling very cofident about this one. Just curious as to if my letters may be hindering me.

 

[Keladry]

The first time I applied, I used three lecture science professors (all of which I have currently sent an email to). That application cycle, I was only 19 years old, and I recieved a 17 on my MCAT. The second time I applied, I used the 1. the PI I was working and 2 doctorate science mentors at the university I was currently employed at. The second cycle, I received a 21 on my MCAT. I blamed my low MCAT scores for no acceptances. I graduated from both high school and college in three years if you are curious as to why I applied to medical school at 19. I graduated from undergrad with a neuroscience degree with a 3.95 cumulative GPA (4.0 non-science, 3.92 science). I am retaking the MCAT for the third time this summer and am feeling very cofident about this one. Just curious as to if my letters may be hindering me.

Given those numbers, I think your MCAT is hindering you more than the letters. Obviously you still need the letters, though - perhaps asking if your previous recommenders have a saved copy of the old one could help.

Best of luck!

 

[pasdebourree]

I know there are a few schools that have different letter requirements for "non-traditional" students, and with you being out of school for two years, you might qualify as one. If so, a research letter or employer letter would suffice in place of one or more of the science faculty letters. Just be sure to check with the individual school by calling or checking their website to make sure this is the case.

 

[pasdebourree]

Also, check the Non-Trad board...they might be quite helpful to you there because they know how it is to reach out to professors once you've been out of school for awhile.

 

[mj1997]

Does it specifically state "from science professors that have taught you"? I have used science professors that I have done research with. It all depends on the schools you are applying too. I applied this cycle and had been out of school for almost 5 years. Three of the schools, I applied at required LORs from science professors I had taken class with. I couldn't find anything on their websites on LORs for non traditional students that have been out of school for a year or more, so I contacted admissions. Two of them let me substitute another letter, which I used another professor I did research with (I teach at the uni.), but one school specifically wanted one from a prof. that taught me in class. I basically emailed the prof. and provided her with as much info about me as I could (resume, cv, personal statement) and also I scheduled an interview with her. Also, the bullet points as mentioned above is a good way to go to.

 

[autodestruction]

If I were you, I would visit them in person.

I was also out of school for 3.5 years, but I had visited my teachers a few times since. I also included a picture. This also had helped, I included bullet points about me such as:
- the Asian that ate every day in your class in the front row
- the Asian female that would request to see my test.
- the most important thing I learned in mass transfer was membranes
- blah blah blah

This helped her wrote a LOR bc I basically gave her hints on who I was, my accomplishments in her class, and what I have done since leaving. I think she probably just took half my bullet points and put it in paragraph form

Sorry to dig up this thread, but you made a similar comment on another thread recommending that a student write 5 things about themselves that they would like a letter writer to include. For some reason, I wasn't able to respond to that thread, so I'm asking here!

Can you share how you were able to do that without appearing pretentious (not saying that you are in any way, but that a professor might think of it that way)? Even though I was genuinely trying to learn more than just the facts/details in order to get a good test score, for example, I would feel awkward saying that to a professor. Did you include personality traits in your list? If you could share additional examples of what you included, that would be very much appreciated. Thank you!