Question about Letters of Recommendation

[bball]

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Hey SDN,

I had a quick question about letters of rec. For the two science letters that are required for most med schools, do they have to be from professors that taught you in a class? I've differently from a variety of sources, so I wanted to be sure I understand this issue accurately. Personally, I have a letter from a PI that hasn't taught me in a class, but probably knows me better than any professor that's taught me would. Another one of my letters will come from my current PI who's taught me in a course, but didn't know me in that context, which means his letter would probably focus on my abilities in the lab. Would that count as a "professor that taught me"?

Thanks,
bball

 

[Hemichordate]

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[Isoprop]

It varies from school to school but generally, it must be from professors who taught you in a science class. Your second PI letter should work as a "science" letter even if he mainly speaks about your character outside of class.

 

[Isoprop]

Also, science letters mean BCPM, and not just "natural sciences", right?

Some schools specifically say BCPM while other say science. It varies from school to school.

 

[Spiker]

You only need two science letters IF you dont have a Committee Letter right?

 

[Isoprop]

I thought a committee letter requires 2 science letters?

Typically, a committee letter is acceptable in lieu of other LOR requirements.

I don't have a premed committee (THANK GOD) so I'm not sure.

 

[bball]

So the bottom line is that both letters need to be from a professor that taught you, even if it was minimally so in that context?

 

[Isoprop]

The bottom line is, you have to see what each school specifically wants. Some leave it vague like "faculty from science" and some specifically ask for one from a professor in a course you took.