Some minor questions

[stevenboi27]

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Hello all, I just have a couple of small questions that I hope someone can answer for me.

1) I go to a big state school so the class sizes are rather large. As a result, it is hard to make personal connections with professors. However, it is much easier to talk to TAs who run the smaller discussion sections. So would pod schools accept letters of recs that are written by TAs but co-signed by the professor or is it best to get the letter written by the professor?

2) I am not planning to apply until next August. However, can I ask my instructors to write me letters right after I take the class so they won't forget about me? I am planning to have them upload the letter onto interfolio. I would rather have my letters written right after I take a class rather than ask for a letter a year later when I apply since the instructor might not remember me anymore. Would schools care if the letter is a year old?

3) So at my school, we have the option of having a certain number our classes graded on a pass/no pass basis so they don't get factored into my gpa. I am planning to take some elective classes for fun on a p/np basis rather than letter grade because I don't really need these classes and would rather worry about my core science classes instead. Do pod schools care if i get a pass in these classes? I heard that law schools count these classes as C when calculating gpa's but what about for pod schools?

 

[UVAallday]

I had a TA write a letter of rec. for me and I got into the schools that I applied to. I also had letters from professors and dpms so if you have both I'm not sure that it matters

 

[EK18]

I think his problem is that he can't get a letter of rec from science professors so he wants to know if a TA letter would suffice.

To OP, I don't think it would (meaning you would NEED letters from science faculty professors) but you should contact AACPMAS or the individual schools that you are applying to just to be sure.

 

[Sabin]

I had a TA write a letter of rec. for me and I got into the schools that I applied to. I also had letters from professors and dpms so if you have both I'm not sure that it matters

I would agree with UVA. To be honest, I don't think any school would mind even if they appear to. I know of acceptances without any letters at all (not extremely rare or anything).

Edit: I also did "Pass" classes for fun. They essentially don't count as anything, even though you list them. Make sure you pass though, haha.

 

[MaxillofacialMN]

Edit: I also did "Pass" classes for fun. They essentially don't count as anything, even though you list them. Make sure you pass though, haha.

Haha I took genetics this past semester just merely for knowledge and a little MCAT prep, and I got a bit too comfortable with the class, and after the first three tests I had like a 77% in the class, and I knew the final was notoriously hard, so I had to actually study for the 4th test to make sure I didn't end up with a big "U" on my transcript for unsatisfactory.

I got like a 95 on that last test, so everything worked out and I think if I had the class graded I would have ended with a B or B- probably. But yeah, don't get a U or whatever your schools writes down.