Will this count as a science letter of rec?

[LordKek90]

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I really want a letter of rec from a particular professor I did independent research with and took a cognitive neuroscience course with. I have a strong relationship with him and he'll write me a very strong letter of recommendation. The class, however, is under the psychology department (like all neuroscience courses in my school). I know students in the past (some of my friends) have gotten all their neuroscience classes under the psych department to count towards their BCPM gpa so I'm not worried about that aspect. I'm mainly asking if this would count as a science letter of rec if the professor is in the psych department but teaches neuroscience classes. Thanks.


EDIT: on the university directory page and on his website he goes by "professor of neuroscience and psychology".

 

[MCATISEZ]

I really want a letter of rec from a particular professor I didn't independent research with and took a cognitive neuroscience course with. I have a strong relationship with him and he'll write me a very strong letter of recommendation. The class, however, is under the psychology department (like all neuroscience courses in my school). I know students in the past (some of my friends) have gotten all their neuroscience classes under the psych department to count towards their BCPM gpa so I'm not worried about that aspect. I'm mainly asking if this would count as a science letter of rec if the professor is in the psych department but teaches neuroscience classes. Thanks.

Unfortunately it does not seem like a yes or no question... which is honestly frustrating but it seems like that is the way it is. I feel like it is up to the school as to how they would count it.

 

[DameJulie]

my 2 cents:
This LOR falls in the gray area in sci/non-sci letter. My rule of thumb is, if that "neuroscience" course is calculated in your BPCM GPA, then it is very likely count as a science letter.

I would call each school to find out if your case is acceptable. If not, say thank you and look for another sci professor.

A similar scenario on myself is that, I took a BPCM class with a professor who's affiliate in a clearly non-sci department. Most schools told me it is okay to have that LOR to be science. Looks like the professor's affiliation isn't important, what matter is the course.

 

[efle]

Interesting. I always assumed that a psych professor letter would count as a science letter anyways. Is "science letter" as listed on med school web sites really "BCPM letter" ?

 

[vellez]

No. The term neuroscience is nebulous as it is; people familiar with the field know it's very psych heavy, anyway.

 

[LordKek90]

It will be ok. How does the professor describe his position (check his school directory or dept listing) it will ve something like this

Dr. John Smith
Professor of Neuroscience
Dept of Psychology

On his lab's website which I just visited he does this:

Dr. John Smith
Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology
Dept of Psychology

Also, on the school's website it says the same thing. "Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience".

 

[LordKek90]

Any more input would be greatly appreciated. As a side question: I just looked at all the schools in a state that i'll be applying to and only one has a science letter requirement. the others just say "we want 3 letters". is this normal?

 

[LordKek90]

Yes. The rule of thumb of is 2 science letters and 1 non science. However, each school has its own specific requirements.

Your Neuroscience prof is fine as a science letter

Yes. The rule of thumb of is 2 science letters and 1 non science. However, each school has its own specific requirements.

Your Neuroscience prof is fine as a science letter

thanks, i already called 2 of the schools out of the 25 im planning to apply to and they confirmed it's not a problem.