Reference letters! from whom!?

[sbesbesbe]

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Hi there SDN,

I have a question regarding reference letters.
I am planning to apply in June 2013
First of all, how many do we need?
So far I have:
chemistry professor (have done research but not taken his course),
dentist (paediatric specialist, shadowed),
physiotherapist (university hospital volunteer),
probably need one professor that I've have taken a course with.
BUT the problem is that I have NO chemistry, biology, professors to ask...

DO I need a biology/chemistry professor? computer science professor is not as good i guess?
What is the recommended/ideal list of reference letters?
as an example
1 from biology professor
1 from chemistry professor
1 from professor you've done research under
1 from dentist you've shadowed

 

[aggiegirl12809]

My knowledge of what most schools require:

2 from science professors (chem, bio, etc)
1 from a dentist
1 from a person of your choice.

I would recommend that the 2 from science profs be from those whom you took classes with. The reason being because they can better evaluate your academic performance. You don't really need to be buddy buddy with a prof to ask, they are used to getting requests for letters.

 

[HeadgearBraces]

Person of our choice could be like our boss or something, or has to be someone associated within the college? And would asking them 2-3 months before applying be enough time?

 

[aggiegirl12809]

person of choice can be anyone other than a family member who knows you well. I usually gave people a packet with a typed letter with instructions/thank you, a stamped and addressed envelope and a copy of my personal statement. I usually asked them in person and when they said yes I handed over the packet. I asked them about 3 months before the due date and tell them an earlier date before the letter was to be submitted. Its also a good thing to send them a reminder email a week before they are to submit the letter.

 

[sbesbesbe]

hey guys
thanks for your input
so for 2 science professors, can it be ANY science professors?
probably biology or chemistry professors look the best though i guess

 

[Longcatislong]

hey guys
thanks for your input
so for 2 science professors, can it be ANY science professors?
probably biology or chemistry professors look the best though i guess

Any science professors. Though I'm not sure it can be a math professor (I could be wrong).

 

[CedarZ4]

It really depends on the school, but generally it is:
2 Science
1 Non-science
1 Dentist
and, 1 Other (extracurricular, boss, etc.) if you want, but not required (except Loma Linda off the top of my head that requires one from a spiritual leader)

Or, a committee letter will satisfy all those requirements at most schools.

 

[Longcatislong]

I have a related question:

Is it best to have your science lors from upper division sciences only? For instance, i have one from physiology (an upper div) while I am waiting on another from a general bio course (lower div).

 

[CedarZ4]

I have a related question:

Is it best to have your science lors from upper division sciences only? For instance, i have one from physiology (an upper div) while I am waiting on another from a general bio course (lower div).

The more recent, the higher the division, the better. But of course, what is most important is the quality of the LOR. A very positive LOR from GenBio is better than a mediocre one from Physiology. Find the teachers that will write you the best LOR, then from those pick the higher division and most recent one.

 

[UCSFx2017]

My version of an ideal list is.
1 Dentist
1 Your basic-science research PI who hopefully has gotten the chance to really know your personality, work ethic, lab work, and class work.
1 Biology professor
1 Chemistry professor

All four of these recommenders should know you as a person and student, both outside and inside the classroom.

http://studentdoctor.net/2010/03/the-art-of-obtaining-a-stellar-letter-of-recommendation/

 

[ktran17]

^ I did something similar.

LOR:
1. Dentist
2. PI who also instructed my qchem class (so double counts 😍)
3. upper div physio
4. boss at tutoring center