Science Professor LOR technicallities

[yocharlie]

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So I have been out of school for about 3 years and I have one science letter for my professor which I think is an okay letter. But I am struggling to get another science professor letter and I have emailed them all. No response still. But my question is, what are the technicalities of a science letter. Does it necessarily need to be from a professor that gave you a grade in a class? Or in my case, I have two professors, one is an MD and my PI who is a professor/faculty at Stanford SOM (not my undergrad) and a DDS who is a professors/faculty at UCSF Dental School. Would those suffice as a science letter?

Anyone have experience with this that maybe have advice on how to obtain a letter without having to take a course? (It's tough here in California because classes tend to fill up at Universities and being a post-grad, you have last priority to take a course). I'm also trying to apply this year.

 

[pre med 2014]

You are lucky to get 1 after 3 years. I am in need as well. I've emailed everyone pleading

 

[Cinclus]

If you're applying to medical school, I would not get one from a dentist. Getting letters from science faculty you've worked with in some way will work, whether you've taken a class from them, done research in their lab, TA'd their courses, etc.

 

[yocharlie]

Yeah, I got that one science letter my senior year so that was a bit easier.

If you're applying to medical school, I would not get one from a dentist. Getting letters from science faculty you've worked with in some way will work, whether you've taken a class from them, done research in their lab, TA'd their courses, etc.

Cinclus, yeah I was thinking that as well but the DDS I worked with wants to write me a letter on behalf of this event/trip that I organized when I was a club president that involved medical and dental, which I was involved in for 5 years (2 years after I graduated and was my fulltime job), particularly and ironically a dental focused program (but I mainly did more of the educational/public health aspect of it). I dont think it would hurt if he was a well known faculty at UCSF and I definitely know it will be very strong. Though he is wanting to convince me to go into dentistry instead. I did consider it but spoke with many health professionals and finally decided on the med route.

 

[Girly X]

If there is a pre-med/pre-health advising office at your undergrad, or even a faculty advisor for pre-med/pre-health students, you could try reaching out to them. They are usually responsive and may reach out to your professors on your behalf. Or worse case, sometimes, that individual can write a brief statement/letter detailing your time at the school, saying you left in good standing, took rigorous course load etc. Most undergrads offer some sort of services for alumni, so try that route.

 

[yocharlie]

If there is a pre-med/pre-health advising office at your undergrad, or even a faculty advisor for pre-med/pre-health students, you could try reaching out to them. They are usually responsive and may reach out to your professors on your behalf. Or worse case, sometimes, that individual can write a brief statement/letter detailing your time at the school, saying you left in good standing, took rigorous course load etc. Most undergrads offer some sort of services for alumni, so try that route.

Thanks, I'll give that a shot. Though my campus sucks at pre-health advising and have no resources whatsoever.....