U of Houston against non-trads ???

[t-bone007]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a bit frustrated with Houston. For my letter of recs, I submitted 2 letters for optometrists, 1 letter from a microbio teacher, and 1 letter from a health professional. The admissions officer said that I need a total of 3 academic LORs or a committee letter. I finished my undergrad in '97 so you can see how difficult it is to get an academic LOR. She spoke to the Dean on my behalf but he was not willing to budge.

Am I wrong in feeling that Houston discourages applicants who take the non-traditional route? Are there any non-trads who made it successfully into Houston?

 

[cpw]

Half of my graduating class was non-trads.. and no, they wont budge on their 3 academic letters. (even though I had two academics and two ODs) Since I was taking some night classes I just got my night class profs to do it.

I graduated in 1998 so I had been out three years. And yes, it sucks. But, half the class is non-trad (at least half the class)

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I'm curious as to why they demand three academic LOR's. I think that a letter or two from an optometrist who has worked with you or who you have shadowed under would be able to tell a lot more about your work ethic, people skills, character, etc. I personally never made the effort to get to know any of my professors very well... yes... it is my own fault and I realize that. But, the people who know me best in life are the people I spend all day every day with at work... they see exactly what kind of person I am and what type of optometrist I'll become. I was very interested in applying to UHCO, but will not be because of the LOR requirements. I have even emailed them to see if they would accept letters from TA's co-signed by the professor, and I was told that only one of my letters could be in this format. I'm not a non-trad, but I disagree with the policy in general. 🙁

 

[tnn]

I'm curious as to why they demand three academic LOR's. I think that a letter or two from an optometrist who has worked with you or who you have shadowed under would be able to tell a lot more about your work ethic, people skills, character, etc. I personally never made the effort to get to know any of my professors very well... yes... it is my own fault and I realize that. But, the people who know me best in life are the people I spend all day every day with at work... they see exactly what kind of person I am and what type of optometrist I'll become. I was very interested in applying to UHCO, but will not be because of the LOR requirements. I have even emailed them to see if they would accept letters from TA's co-signed by the professor, and I was told that only one of my letters could be in this format. I'm not a non-trad, but I disagree with the policy in general. 🙁

that's odd. the UHCO website says that the LORs only had to be from three undergraduate faculty memebers who were familar with your work. i'm assuming that TAs would qualify.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

that's odd. the UHCO website says that the LORs only had to be from three undergraduate faculty memebers who were familar with your work. i'm assuming that TAs would qualify.

I think that because TA's are still graduate students who are pursuing their masters/PhD, they aren't considered faculty because they are not professors of any sort. Odd is a good word for it! Oh well... I reap what I sow...