Ticked off about my LORs

[MrBeans]

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So I have several stellar LORs from science and non-science faculty, and dentists.

However, it came to my attention that I am required 2-3 LOR from science instructors/professors who taught me.

Sadly, because of this last minute scramble, it seems while I will fortunately get these LORs from instructors/professors, they will be not very powerful.

I'm hoping that these less stellar letters will play a neutral role rather than a negative role on my application. Furthermore, I'm hoping to offset some of the neutrality with a couple stellar letters mentioned foremost.

Although there's not much I can do at this point, what are your thoughts on my situation?

I'm hoping for the best 🙂

 

[jstar86]

First off, who are the science letters you have that didn't teach you? Is it research you did? If so, that's not qualified to be "science" for several schools but rather, fits under "research". Of course, I cannot speak for all schools...just several I applied to.

Second, many schools will only read the first three letters they have...So, if they require 2 from science profs and a non-science, they will stop right there and will not read anymore. I know this goes for many schools and makes sense, as they cannot read extra letters from each applicant.

Third, you can only submit 4 letters on AADSAS. That said, you now have 2 science letters from profs that TAUGHT you, one non-science, and a dentist's letter. Anything else schools will probably not accept.

Sorry if this is kind of a downer...I just know from experience because I had an extra letter, as well.

 

[MrBeans]

Yes, they were research letters.

Hopefully I can still use at least 1 research and 1 dentist letter...

 

[MrBeans]

So my plan for LORs to AADSAS is:

- Science Professor
- Science Instructor
- Research PI
- Dentist

Optional switches or additional:

- English Instructor

Undoubtedly I'm going to have to submit more than what AADSAS allows in order to fulfill some schools requirements (e.g. - some schools require 3 profs/instructors).

 

[mashinka]

im in the same boat. it freakin' sucks.....the research LOR are so clutch and yet kind of a waste.

 

[MrBeans]

im in the same boat. it freakin' sucks.....the research LOR are so clutch and yet kind of a waste.

I take it you have the same/similar plan of action that I just laid out?

 

[TeethandLakers]

I have the same problem. I'm going to have 2 Science (1 strong, 1 somewhat weak), 1 Research, 1 Dentist

 

[DATlongshui]

As a non-traditional applicant who has left undergrad long time ago, I am only able to get LORs from professors that I did/do research with (for my Ph.D and postdoc) plus a dentist. Does that mean I am screwed up, even though the professors still belong to academic faculty who know me really well?

 

[MrBeans]

As a non-traditional applicant who has left undergrad long time ago, I am only able to get LORs from professors that I did/do research with (for my Ph.D and postdoc) plus a dentist. Does that mean I am screwed up, even though the professors still belong to academic faculty who know me really well?

Some schools require, under no exceptions, that you have instructors that have directly taught you to write your letters of evaluation/recommendation. Knowing people (through research or otherwise) is generally not enough.

I suggest contacting the schools you intend to apply to.

I have the same dilemma, seeing that I've been actively involved in research and I know a lot of faculty very well. However, my schools were emphatic: You need letters from people who have taught you!

 

[Vicviper]

Did you take research for class credit? If so, I think that would count. My research PI wrote me an amazing letter, and I took research for class credit.

 

[armorshell]

Did you take research for class credit? If so, I think that would count. My research PI wrote me an amazing letter, and I took research for class credit.

Same here. Go 1 credit P/F research course!

 

[DATlongshui]

Did you take research for class credit? If so, I think that would count. My research PI wrote me an amazing letter, and I took research for class credit.

For my Ph.D, there was always some lines in my transcript as " Ph.D Dissertation Research" which has credits but doesn't count toward GPA, i.e. it shows up sth like " 4.0 A 0.0. I did have to sign up for those credit in order to keep my full-time enrollment, but it was not considered a course. Do you think that counts?

Well, worst case, I guess I will just have to submit whatever I can get. Too bad I did my undergrad ages ago, even though my grades were great!

Any other thoughts? Many thanks,

 

[TeethandLakers]

Did you take research for class credit? If so, I think that would count. My research PI wrote me an amazing letter, and I took research for class credit.

I go to UCI (it says you did too on Predents) and I am doing Bio 199. So you're saying that can count for a science professor letter?

 

[Vicviper]

I go to UCI (it says you did too on Predents) and I am doing Bio 199. So you're saying that can count for a science professor letter?

I think so. I already had two science letters (Chem and Bio) and then I had my third letter from my Research PI for Bio 199 (Dr. Wilder-Smith), and I was still accepted to Columbia, which says you need three science letters. If you want to talk about the particulars of this a bit more, I'll be at the ASDA meeting t/m at UCI.

 

[LittleTomato]

How far in advance can you have your letters written? Does anyone know? plan to apply for fall 2012 and I will be transferring from a two-year campus to a four-year campus. I have made some very good connections here and would love to get some LOR before I go. It would certainly help me meet these LOR reqs for the best of my advantage.

 

[MrBeans]

How far in advance can you have your letters written? Does anyone know? plan to apply for fall 2012 and I will be transferring from a two-year campus to a four-year campus. I have made some very good connections here and would love to get some LOR before I go. It would certainly help me meet these LOR reqs for the best of my advantage.

Keep up your connections, ask for your letters 6 months to 3 months before you apply to dental.

Just my suggestion.

 

[2ne1]

I think so. I already had two science letters (Chem and Bio) and then I had my third letter from my Research PI for Bio 199 (Dr. Wilder-Smith), and I was still accepted to Columbia, which says you need three science letters. If you want to talk about the particulars of this a bit more, I'll be at the ASDA meeting t/m at UCI.

That is a good news to hear. I have 2 science letters, 1 from research prof, which I took as class credit (p/f).I will have to check with Columbia to be sure, but I was having hard time to get the third science prof letter.