Recommendation Letters (Science vs. non-science)

[YeezyQ]

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Hey guys,

My undergraduate school does not have a pre-med committee. So, looking at AACOMA's school guide I see that almost all of the osteopathic schools require two-letters of recommendation from science professors in its place. In spite of this, some of the professors that I have received recommendation letters from are involved in my degree program which is listed as an "Other Science". These classes that I took are counted towards my ACOMMA's science gpa but are not (according to my pre-med advisor) qualified as a science rec-letter. This puts me in a tough position as I now have to try and get two-rec letters from previous BCMP courses. In your experiences do you guys think these previous rec-letters still count? Additionally, I'm curious what program you guys are using for recommendation letters. I know some people use Interfollio, however, I have seen that you must waive your right to view the letter.

 

[AnxietyNation]

What "other science" are they?

 

[workaholic181]

Regardless of the schools different letter requirements, your app will be majorly served by having LORs from professors who taught you in a class an adcom would recognize and understand the significance of - ie biochem, orgo, etc

 

[festivespartan]

I think it depends what "Other Science" means and what the specific requirements for the schools are. I remember seeing one school (idr which) requiring a letter specifically from a basic science professor, which I didn't have so that was ruled out for me. I had two DO letters and an upper level science professor (physiology lab + special topics course) in place of the committee LOR.

So if your other science letter is from something like physio or microbio and "other science" just means not basic science, then you're probably ok. If it's something obscure that adcoms won't recognize, you're probably better serve finding another letter if you're able to.

 

[YeezyQ]

The letters I have are from "Behavioral Science Classes" in particular Psychology Professors. @festivespartan how did you get away with only one basic science letter? Almost all of the schools on AACOMAS in the secondary section say they need two science letters minimum.

 

[festivespartan]

The letters I have are from "Behavioral Science Classes" in particular Psychology Professors. @festivespartan how did you get away with only one basic science letter? Almost all of the schools on AACOMAS in the secondary section say they need two science letters minimum.

The schools that I applied to all specifically noted that you could do an additional science letter OR additional physician letter (some specifically DO) in place of the committee letter, rather than limiting it to two science professors. So I had two letters from physicians that I had a solid relationship with.

And that school I referenced was looking specifically for the like freshman/sophomore chem/bio/orgo kind of classes, rather than upper level biochem/physio/etc, not that that really matters just a little anecdote.