sky_blue2000 Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 I, unfortunately, really poorly planned my schedule and still have most of my science pre reqs left. My physics prof said he'd love to write one for me, but my chem class is 500 students, and the prof isn't too welcoming let alone willing to write a LOR for me. So I'm just wondering...I know that most schools require 2 science LORs, but what if you don't? Would they not even read my application? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keith_015 Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Sounds like trouble...some schools may be a little more forgiving (ie Jeff as some of us know) as to the LOR requirements; however, schools will probably want science LOR if they ask for it. Just like the sGPA has relevant meaning, so would a science LOR. It is likely a confirmation that you can truly do science coursework and have a thinking style cohesive to science. Because you are also not out of school for a few years, you won't be able to get any leeway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmitch8 Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 The LOR doesn't have to be from a pre req science prof. It can actually be from any science prof. Have you taken any other science courses that aren't necessarily pre-reqs (lower level interest science classes)? Or have you spent any time in a basic science or clinical research lab? Any prof you work for in these labs will be counted as a "science" prof by most schools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayne67 Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 it really depends.... schools can be flexible in regards to their LOR requirements, but some definitely aren't (i.e. NYMC, SUNY Upstate, Mount Sinai). To be absolutely sure, just email them. I wasn't able to fulfil the 2 science LOR requirement either and I did get in. But I don't know if they counted my LOR's engineering profs as "science" LOR's per se or not. But do your best to get LOR's from any science profs if you can. It may not be an issue if you have killer stats, but if you are around the average then it could bring you down in the eyes of the admissions committees in some cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rach Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 I never checked with individual schools (just applied and hoped for the best), but I used a math prof's letter as one of my science letters. Either lots of schools were flexible with the requirement, or they accepted math as a science. So a math prof might be a last-resort option for you if you absolutely can't get a chem/bio letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moo Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Math is considered a science. Hence, the acronym BCPM when I was applying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rach Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Math is considered a science. Hence, the acronym BCPM when I was applying. Not always. BCPM always applies to sGPA calculations but some schools specify that they want LORs from Bio/Chem/Physics as science. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sv3 Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 I, unfortunately, really poorly planned my schedule and still have most of my science pre reqs left. My physics prof said he'd love to write one for me, but my chem class is 500 students, and the prof isn't too welcoming let alone willing to write a LOR for me. So I'm just wondering...I know that most schools require 2 science LORs, but what if you don't? Would they not even read my application? Thanks Jesus that sucks. I just started researching the US process and I haven't taken a science course in 7 years. Guess I'll be looking at the rare schools that don't ask for this. I'm surprised that there is that much emphasis on science LORs - not sure why grades can't speak to your ability or the MCAT. Seems like a load...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky_blue2000 Posted January 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 Thanks for all the helpful advice guys!! I just emailed my human phys prof from last semester to ask for an appointment. I wasn't goig to ask her because she told me I had no chance of being accepted (she used to be on the board of admissions at U of T). Pretty harsh eh? But after I told her I was applying to US, she said there's maybe a chance!! So needless to say, that's why I wasn't going to ask her. I ended up getting an A in the course, and after reading all your posts I thought I should at least try my luck to see what she says. Here's hoping **crossing fingers** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky_blue2000 Posted January 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2010 I'm wondering a mediocre letter from a science prof compared to excellent from non-science...which one would be better? Again taking into account that the mediocre science would be used to fulfill that requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayne67 Posted January 30, 2010 Report Share Posted January 30, 2010 You could always add supplemental letters (i.e. from non-science profs) to offset a required "mediocre" science letter. But have you actually tried meeting with your science profs to discuss the situation. Even if they don't know you, some may agree to write a letter - especially if you come prepared with a CV or something that they can use to write the letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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