Ques. about "Science" recommendations

[ice_23]

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SDN'ers,

I am new poster to this forum, but I've been reading for a while, and have been impressed with the people here and their ability to answer other ppl's questions accurately and promptly. With that said, I myself have a question...

When a secondary asks for a "Science recommendation"

A.) What is considered a "science"? I know that most places say (i.e. Johns Hopkins) that they will decide if the recommendation is a science or not upon receipt of the letter (which is sorta jacked IMHO), but my pre-med advisor said that one could even use a Computer Science rec. as a "science" recommendation...

B.) Does the prof. HAVE to have taught you in a science course? I personally have a wonderful recommendation from a professor who IS a science professor, but I did research under him for many years and in those years, I believe I learned more from him than from any of my "science" professors in college...

Thanks in advance to all who replied. Given that I am an economics major, it is difficult for me to get a recommendation from a "science" prof. who has had marginal contact with me (and although I got one, it is the second rec. that I am having problems with)...

Oh, and we do not have a pre-med committee here.

Thanks again!

 

[doepug]

Research mentor from a lab = science letter.

Computer science does not necessarily = science letter.

To be safe, I'd stick with a narrow definition and consider a "science letter" to be from a faculty member in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science. If you're an engineer, this might be a little more flexible. I'd DEFINITELY include a letter from a research mentor, regardless of whether or not they've taught a class with you in it. This is a legitimate "science letter."

Hope that helps,

doepug
(MS IV, Johns Hopkins)

 

[carrigallen]

I think, any professor who could speak to your ability to do scientific coursework, whether bio, chem, physics, earth sciences, etc.

For some reason, math counts in your science gpa, but i don't think math professors count as "science lors"...