Science letters and classes

[TheLadyVanishes]

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Most medical schools seem to want 2 science letters and 1 non-science letter. I know some non-trads have requested exemption from it. How often do schools grant exemptions? And if they do, does it have a good effect, a bad effect, or none at all?

Also, for fall semester I was considering taking another science class because I only have one science letter in the bag. I have been out of college for about 3 years and have taken a few classes because they are prereqs. I'm a bit concerned about proving that I can still "cut it" academically - hence the decision to take another science class. My GPA is about average (3.7, sci 3.65, strong upward trend) so I don't need grade repair.

However, that takes precious time away from ECs/shadowing/MCAT study time. Do I really need that second science letter and are adcoms going to be concerned that my brains have turned to mush in the few years I've been away from school?

 

[aerodoc]

Call the schools you are interested in and ask them about it. Usually (in my experience anyway) they will let you substitute a letter from your work or something like that for one of your academic letters. I never had anybody tell me that it wasn't acceptable to do that, and I called quite a few schools.

 

[MedPR]

Most medical schools seem to want 2 science letters and 1 non-science letter. I know some non-trads have requested exemption from it. How often do schools grant exemptions? And if they do, does it have a good effect, a bad effect, or none at all?

Also, for fall semester I was considering taking another science class because I only have one science letter in the bag. I have been out of college for about 3 years and have taken a few classes because they are prereqs. I'm a bit concerned about proving that I can still "cut it" academically - hence the decision to take another science class. My GPA is about average (3.7, sci 3.65, strong upward trend) so I don't need grade repair.

However, that takes precious time away from ECs/shadowing/MCAT study time. Do I really need that second science letter and are adcoms going to be concerned that my brains have turned to mush in the few years I've been away from school?

I've gotten an exemption (kind of) from every school I've requested one from. I don't have a non-science letter, but I do have 3 science letters, an employer letter, and a DO letter. Every school who normally requries 1 non-science is accepting either my third science or employer letter in lieu of a non-science. So based on my experience alone, I think you have a good chance of being able to replace the non-science, but I don't know if you'll have any luck getting by with only 1 or 2 science letters.

 

[Geoffro]

So how do they know you got an exemption? Do they give you some form to submit with secondaries?

 

[charmedj7]

In my experience most of the schools are NOT willing to waive the requirement if you are <5 years out of school. But they are willing to look at professional references, etc as well if you have them. Most seem flexible though abotu science vs. non-science. I asked 5-6 schools I was interested in, and not one was willing to be flexible on it.

 

[kpb]

I've gotten an exemption (kind of) from every school I've requested one from. I don't have a non-science letter, but I do have 3 science letters, an employer letter, and a DO letter. Every school who normally requries 1 non-science is accepting either my third science or employer letter in lieu of a non-science. So based on my experience alone, I think you have a good chance of being able to replace the non-science, but I don't know if you'll have any luck getting by with only 1 or 2 science letters.

In your specific situation, do you know how the schools would be able to tell if you were granted exemption? For example, do they put a special note in your applicant profile? I'm interested in the method schools use to keep track of their 'tweaks' to certain requirements if that makes sense.

I'd hate to find out by the late stage of the application cycle that I don't have sufficient or appropriate letters (even though I was granted exemption by the school) <-- This is just a hypothetical situation, by the way. I'm not applying this cycle, but it's helpful to know in advance.

Thank you for your time.

 

[notbobtrustme]

It may be different for people out of school longer, but I was able to substitute research LORs for class LORs. I was out of school for 6 years when I applied.

When I was preparing this year's app, I called about 15 schools to see their LOR requirements for non-trads and every single one of them said I could substitute research/work LORs in lieu of a committee packet or 2 science/1 non-science.