Science letters of recommendation

[ibro1996]

Hi all,

Im in the process of asking my professors for letters of recommendation but i wasnt sure if my professor in the chemistry department, whom i do research with, counts as a science letter or an extracurricular letter. I know dental schools require 2 science and 1 non-science. Also would my calculus professor fall into science or non-science? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[nowaysurvey]

Someone should correct me on this as I'm not too certain about some things but here's what I think...

1) The letter from the professor you're doing research with will probably count as an extra letter since schools want science letters from professors that actually taught you (lectures).

2) The letter from your calculus professor would be considered as a non-science letter.

Best of luck~

 

[WaveRace]

Someone should correct me on this as I'm not too certain about some things but here's what I think...

1) The letter from the professor you're doing research with will probably count as an extra letter since schools want science letters from professors that actually taught you (lectures).

2) The letter from your calculus professor would be considered as a non-science letter.

Best of luck~

These answers are correct. A research professor will only count as science if you have taken a course with them and have a grade on your transcript.

A science letter is typically considered to be a professor who taught you in a basic science course (i.e. bio, chem, physics, etc).

 

[Roy Williams]

Someone should correct me on this as I'm not too certain about some things but here's what I think...

1) The letter from the professor you're doing research with will probably count as an extra letter since schools want science letters from professors that actually taught you (lectures).

2) The letter from your calculus professor would be considered as a non-science letter.

Best of luck~

I was able to use a stats professor as a science teacher at a school that just required two science teachers and didn't specify bio/chem, so probably just depends on the school.

OP, best bet is to just call the schools you're applying to and ask.

 

[Stanelz]

does the whole science teacher requirement matter if youre getting a committee letter? I dont know who is on my commitee but I know I am getting one science professor personally writing on my behalf

 

[nowaysurvey]

I was able to use a stats professor as a science teacher at a school that just required two science teachers and didn't specify bio/chem, so probably just depends on the school.

OP, best bet is to just call the schools you're applying to and ask.

Yup, I second this. If you're unsure, it definitely doesn't hurt to ask.

But what makes it a little confusing is that some math classes (ex: calculus and statistics) are included in the sGPA calculation of the AADSAS application (if I remember correctly) even though they aren't considered as your general "science" classes.

does the whole science teacher requirement matter if youre getting a committee letter? I dont know who is on my commitee but I know I am getting one science professor personally writing on my behalf

I think this varies from dental school to dental school, but all the schools I applied to asked specifically for two basic science letters or a committee letter (this is preferred). So based on this phrasing, I think it's safe to say a committee letter will override the two basic science letter rule. Committee letters vary from school to school, but generally the committee will either have you submit a few individual letters to them, personal evaluation, and or an interview. From here they either compile the letters or make a new letter that summarizes all your individual letters and submits them to AADSAS.

Again, if unsure, it definitely doesn't hurt to ask the school directly.

Best of luck~

 

[Faefly]

Math is science too! why they don't recognize it. This is infuriating 🙁

 

[Incis0r]

does the whole science teacher requirement matter if youre getting a committee letter? I dont know who is on my commitee but I know I am getting one science professor personally writing on my behalf

All of my schools had different letter requirements, and I just used a committee letter for all of them. I would follow @Roy Williams ' advice and double-check with the schools, but I think you'll be fine just using a committee letter.

 

[Master Yoda]

Hi all,

Im in the process of asking my professors for letters of recommendation but i wasnt sure if my professor in the chemistry department, whom i do research with, counts as a science letter or an extracurricular letter. I know dental schools require 2 science and 1 non-science. Also would my calculus professor fall into science or non-science? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

He is a science professor but he is not your science professor. His letter counts towards extracurricular letter. Science LOR comes from a professor who instructed a science class and he/she can evaluate you on your performance in that class.

 

[osker246]

I personally think it doesn't matter if you get it from a research professor. 1 of my 2 science letters came from a professor who's lab i volunteered in, the kicker is I never met the guy either. I didn't have any issues gaining interviews or acceptances.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

 

[ibro1996]

I was able to use a stats professor as a science teacher at a school that just required two science teachers and didn't specify bio/chem, so probably just depends on the school.

OP, best bet is to just call the schools you're applying to and ask.

I was able to use a stats professor as a science teacher at a school that just required two science teachers and didn't specify bio/chem, so probably just depends on the school.

OP, best bet is to just call the schools you're applying to and ask.

So my top choices for schools are basically all the ones in the midwest. Ive read all of their LOR requirements and none of them directly state that my science letter have to be from a professor who ive taken for lecture. It simply states "a science professor".

 

[Roy Williams]

So my top choices for schools are basically all the ones in the midwest. Ive read all of their LOR requirements and none of them directly state that my science letter have to be from a professor who ive taken for lecture. It simply states "a science professor".

Like I said, I'd just call up the admissions office and ask. Some may say no, they need it from a BCP professor. Others may say that math/stats is okay. I'd just make a spreadsheet and keep track of your answers so you know what is okay for each school you call. Good luck!