What if I have no science LOR?

[wowsers]

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Hello SDN, long-time lurker, first-time poster. Did some searching but the intel is quite old.
3.8/36, spectacular ECs, 3+ years research (1 pub), going top-heavy on schools.

I'm a year out of school applying next cycle (2016 matriculation) and having a lot of trouble finding a science LOR. I'll have a committee letter (they don't care if I submit a science letter) and I understand most schools waive their individual LOR reqs in this case?

My other LORs are pretty solid imo: research PI (MD), academic advisor, 2 supervisors from ECs. I was an intensive history major so my science classes were big and I never got to know anyone beyond the occasional pre-midterm office hours visit. I would have to ask a grad student TA I had in freshman year (who may or may not remember me anymore) for anything resembling an adequate LOR. 90% it's cookie cutter and doesn't add much besides "Bob participated in recitation and eventually got an A and tutored later on."

On the other hand, I'm considering asking for an LOR from a non-science prof who works in my non-medicine field of interest with whom I had a seminar and kept in contact. Older dude who's written multiple LORs for med school applicants. He'd speak to my prowess in the academic subject and related field.

Would getting this LOR add too much "extra stuff" to my app? How much would not having a science LOR hurt me?

 

[ridethecliche]

Depends on the school. Have you looked at the requirements for the med schools you're interested in? Some require a science LOR. Others don't care as much.

 

[ERK123]

I would consider emailing one of you professors and saying that his/her course was instrumental in your growth towards becoming a physician (or scientist if this is more appropriate for the given course). Give some detail as to why this is the case, and say that you want his/her influence reflected in your application to medical school through a letter of recommendation. Be very humble and gracious for the professors potential time and dedication to your letter for this important occasion in your career. I would say give them enough material in your letter request for them to be able to turn it into a solid letter/or if it gets too long write them a short email and attach your more in-depth request as a cover letter. Offer to speak with them on the phone or in person (if possible) if they would like more information about your ambitions to become a physician.

This is how I went about requesting a letter from a science professor that I did not know very well. I had done some research in this professor's field so I just said her course had been instrumental in my growth as a scientist etc etc. I am sure the letter wasn't overly personal, but this can be made up with other letters.

 

[wowsers]

Depends on the school. Have you looked at the requirements for the med schools you're interested in? Some require a science LOR. Others don't care as much.

Most of them say that any individual requirements are superseded by a committee letter. However, idk if that means that science LOR can be completely ignored?

 

[medic86]

Most of them say that any individual requirements are superseded by a committee letter. However, idk if that means that science LOR can be completely ignored?

It does.

However, I'm unsure if someone reviewing your committee letter would think it's weird that there are no comments about the sciences.

Then again, your GPA and MCAT speak for themselves.

Edit: maybe an adcom will chime in.

 

[ridethecliche]

My committee required science LOR's. I think you need to have atleast one. Didn't you take pre-reqs...?

 

[wowsers]

My committee required science LOR's. I think you need to have atleast one. Didn't you take pre-reqs...?

I did...they were big classes and I did not gun to office hours and "get to know" my professors. I seriously do not know what they would write about me...

Can any adcoms chime in?

 

[gyngyn]

If you have a committee letter you have fulfilled requirements.

 

[wowsers]

If you have a committee letter you have fulfilled requirements.

So it wouldn't matter, as a general rule, if I had no science prof LOR?

 

[BuckyBadger!]

So it wouldn't matter, as a general rule, if I had no science prof LOR?

Yep. You're good (at most schools I believe).

If you have a committee letter you have fulfilled requirements.

But more importantly, gyngyn says you're good.

 

[ridethecliche]

And there you have it.

But i suggest taking 10 science classes this summer so you can get to know a few science professors and get a good LOR.

And yeah, I said 10. No typo.

 

[mimelim]

Your PI letter would have qualified as a 'Science' letter where I was at.