Would this count?

[connie95]

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Would an LOR from my research PI count as one of the required science letters? In essence, it is an LOR from a BIOL class (Biomedical Internship towards my Neuroscience degree), but the class itself entails research and some lectures pertaining to the scientific method and how to present research...

 

[LizzyM]

Yes, IMO it would count as a science letter.

 

[connie95]

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[connie95]

Yes, IMO it would count as a science letter.

Thanks! I was under the impression they all had to be from hard-core science classes, but this is great news! My PI knows me much better than my physics or chemistry professors 🙂Is this valid for every medical school though? I read these posts from another thread that kind of confused me regarding this...

It's school dependent. Some are very strict about science LORs that come from someone who has taught you in a science class (not lab, not research, and sometimes it has to specifically come from one of the pre-req science courses). Some are ok with research PIs as your science LOR writer. Just read the school's instructions carefully and/or ask the school before applying.

Very school dependent, I'd check with your state/top choice to make sure they do. Some schools will let you sub a PI letter for a science (or at least a non-science), others you need to specifically petition the dean and others won't budge. Better to figure it out now than apply and have to scramble for a letter or waste $30 because you can't complete the secondary.

I ended up getting 2 science and 1 non-science on top of the 2 PI letters I had. Worked out well since it gave me the flexibility to use my PI letters (very strong) over the academic ones (probably weaker, it's been 2-5years since I was in some of those classes) if the school would let me.

 

[LizzyM]

If you are using a committee letter, the question is moot.... If you are not using a committee letter and have any concerns about whether a specific school will accept a letter from a specific person, the best idea is to contact the med school at get clarification. My school is not anal about where the letters come although it specifies committee letter or 2 science/1 non-science but other schools may be more picky.

 

[Omppu27]

I had multiple schools not mark my application as complete after I paid for my secondary because they didn't count my PI as one of their two science letters. One of these was even after I called the ADCOM and was told it would be okay... I'd just try to be as sure as you possibility can before you start wasting time and money applying.

 

[connie95]

I had multiple schools not mark my application as complete after I paid for my secondary because they didn't count my PI as one of their two science letters. One of these was even after I called the ADCOM and was told it would be okay... I'd just try to be as sure as you possibility can before you start wasting time and money applying.

Do you know if this applies to a research class? I'm currently doing lab research with my PI, but it's part of a Biology internship class…also, what do you think of a science letter from a professor who does not have a Ph.D? I will only be able to get one science letter from a Ph.D professor 🤔 the other one will probably be from a professor who is currently pursuing a PhD

 

[Omppu27]

Do you know if this applies to a research class? I'm currently doing lab research with my PI, but it's part of a Biology internship class…also, what do you think of a science letter from a professor who does not have a Ph.D? I will only be able to get one science letter from a Ph.D professor 🤔 the other one will probably be from a professor who is currently pursuing a PhD

Not 100% sure about the science letter from a non PhD. But is your PI also teaching the class? Or is the research just for credit through your department?