Using "research" letter of recommendation

[angldrps]

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Did any of you guys use a letter of rec. by your research professor to fulfill the letter of recommendation by a science faculty requirement?

]The research I did is offered as a course (bio199) by my undergrad's biology department. This course is taken for units, and I received letter grade for it. I took bio199 for 2 years so my research professor was able to write me a strong letter. Also this professor is currently listed as a faculty member in my school's directory.

I was thinking about emailing my research professor to request him to add an updated note to the letter that he wrote for me stating that the research was done as part of a science course. But, if schools won't have a problem with my research letter without the updated note, then I wouldn't want to annoy him regarding this matter.

Do you guys think I should request the research professor to add this update?

I would really like to hear from people who have had experience with using a letter of rec. by a research professor to fulfill the requirements.

 

[HotandCold]

I took a research class at WSU through their Medical School as an undergrad, and ended up researching for a pretty well known DMC hospital- One semester was through WSU, the following 2 years were independently through the Hospital. My research mentor wrote me a fantastic letter. He was employed by the DMC, but he was an assistant professor (conscripted for the course you could say) at WSU.

Apparently, he didn't even mention that I first got the research job through WSU... So from my experience, no, I wouldn't bother him about putting in "This guy/girl took a class that allowed him/her to research here"

 

[angldrps]

I took a research class at WSU through their Medical School as an undergrad, and ended up researching for a pretty well known DMC hospital- One semester was through WSU, the following 2 years were independently through the Hospital. My research mentor wrote me a fantastic letter. He was employed by the DMC, but he was an assistant professor (conscripted for the course you could say) at WSU.

Apparently, he didn't even mention that I first got the research job through WSU... So from my experience, no, I wouldn't bother him about putting in "This guy/girl took a class that allowed him/her to research here"

So, you only had 2 'science' letters , and your research letter was one of them?

 

[HotandCold]

So, you only had 2 'science' letters , and your research letter was one of them?

No, I had more but I see what you're getting at. He's still science faculty, and it should still work. In fact, it'll work a lot better than some distant orgo professor what spoke to you once or twice.

I guess wait for someone else to answer this if you want full closure.

 

[chiddler]

misunderstood. nvm

 

[michow87]

Bio 199? I'm assuming you go to a UC. I had the same dilemma and the schools accepted my research letter as a science faculty letter.

 

[angldrps]

Bio 199? I'm assuming you go to a UC. I had the same dilemma and the schools accepted my research letter as a science faculty letter.

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[angldrps]

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[angldrps]

has anyone else has any experience with this?

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I did this. I had a letter from my ochem professor and a letter from a professor I performed research under as my second science letter. Most of the schools I applied to either only wanted one science professor letter, or they wanted two science faculty letters. Science faculty does not necessarily have to be someone that has taught you in a science course.


One school that did not accept this was DMU. They wanted two science professors that have taught you in a class. My PI letter did not count for them.

 

[Ravizzle]

I plan on doing the same. I have an extra science faculty LOR just in case some schools don't accept it though.

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[NeuroLAX]

I used a research mentor as one of my science faculty letters, but she also was my professor in a science course. She didn't include the fact that she was my professor in my letter and the issue was settled at a couple schools after she emailed them stating that she was in fact a science professor of mine. I waived my rights to the letters so I only found out because the schools contacted me.

 

[cckeys]

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[angldrps]

i am thinking I might get a letter from another science professor to be on the safe side. The problem is that I went to a large university and graduated a year ago so not sure how well my professors may remember me.

Has any of you had any experience with contacting old professors who don't have a fresh memory of you and asking for a letter? I am thinking about emailing some and ask to meet with them, bring copy of CV, personal statement. I just hope doing this won't be too awkward..

 

[Ravizzle]

i am thinking I might get a letter from another science professor to be on the safe side. The problem is that I went to a large university and graduated a year ago so not sure how well my professors may remember me.

Has any of you had any experience with contacting old professors who don't have a fresh memory of you and asking for a letter? I am thinking about emailing some and ask to meet with them, bring copy of CV, personal statement. I just hope doing this won't be too awkward..

That's exactly what i did. I used my bio prof from freshman year who i hadn't been in touch with for like almost 3 years. Just meet with him, give him cv and you should be fine. That professor was super chill though so ymmv.

Sent from my Galaxy S2 via tapatalk

 

[virtuoso735]

One school that did not accept this was DMU. They wanted two science professors that have taught you in a class. My PI letter did not count for them.

Shoot, DMU is one of my top DO choices, and I'm submitting one PI letter for the two science professors requirement. I did get grades from the research classes though. If I have a committee letter, would that make up for it?

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Shoot, DMU is one of my top DO choices, and I'm submitting one PI letter for the two science professors requirement. I did get grades from the research classes though. If I have a committee letter, would that make up for it?

Not sure. The fact that you got graded in your research class might make it count. I only got credit/no credit for my research course. It's worth a shot though.

 

[virtuoso735]

Not sure. The fact that you got graded in your research class might make it count. I only got credit/no credit for my research course. It's worth a shot though.

Hopefully getting grades in the research courses will make the letter count. I took two semesters of research for my senior project and got A's both semester, so hopefully the letter counts towards the science requirement.

I also checked DMU's website and they say that they will take a committee letter in lieu of two science LORs. Since I will be getting a committee letter in addition to the individual letters, I think I should be okay. 🙂