Science prof letter query

[MrLebowski]

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I have a question for those who have applied before or might know what's up regarding the specifics of LoR requirements:

Many schools I am applying to ask for "2 letters from a science professor". I tend to interpret this statement literally, and have letters from two people who are science professors. One taught me in lecture, and the other is a lecturing, tenured professor who has supervised around 500 hours of my research and given me 12 graded credits of lab (though hasn't taught me in a lecture setting).

My worry is this: I contacted USC, who blatantly states on their website "two letters from a science professor in a lecture based course" and they said I needed another one (understandably, because they were pretty articulate) from someone who lectured me. What I'd like to know is whether those other schools who just say "two science professors" are likely to mean what they say, or if they really mean the same thing USC said?

I know you'll probably say "call each school and ask", but I was hoping someone might have an idea from experience that could save me a few hours.

Thanks!!

 

[ucla2134]

Did you email AADSAS?
They told me that when they tell you "lecture based", it mean professors taught you biology or chemistry "in a classroom."
Thats what they told me. But in order to be sure, you should ask the individual schools.

 

[MrLebowski]

Right, like with USC, who specifies "lecture based", that makes perfect sense.

The problem lies with the other 7 who just say "2 science professors", which to me is a designation of their employment status and merit as an individual.

What say you about those schools?

 

[flegg]

I'm in the EXACT same boat. But not applying to USC. And I too have no idea.

 

[MrLebowski]

Can anyone help a couple brothas out?

 

[sl2obel2ts]

I called bunch of schools because of the same problem. Most schools said (other than tuft and USC) that they take research as science but *prefer* lecture based. Thank god, i asked aadsas last year... I started going to office hour and scored an extra letter.