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Recommendations from non-faculty
Recommendations from non-faculty -- Posted by Rob Use on 10-13-04 16:23
I am a non-traditional applicant who did somewhat well as an
undergraduate (3.7 GPA) in pre-med/Comp Sci but had some reservations
about how well the letters of reference were written for me originally
(the advisor who wrote the group letter stated several times he did
not believe Comp Sci was a valid major for medical school admissions).
I applied to med school straight out and was rejected - that was 15
years ago.
Fast forward to now - I've accomplished quite a bit on the comp sci
side (MS, successful job as an IT executive, published expert in one
area of the field) but still haven't given up on my medical education
and want to give it another shot. I can't take one of the PostBac
classes since I've already taken the prereqs and applied, so I'm self
studying to take the MCAT's a second time (no problems here either -
doing pretty well on the practice exams).
Here my issue: I can't get faculty recommendations! My core faculty
are dead, moved on, or just plain wouldn't remember me at this point
(15 years + 4 year = 19 years ago for freshman Bio!) Even my MS
faculty are 13 years past and wouldn't have much to provide. Has
anyone subimitted with only professional references (these I can get
in spades - since I'm an Adjunct Professor in my spare time some of
these can come from folks in the Engineering space as well)? Am I
completely out of luck (e.g. should I go back for another MS is
Physiology or the like just to get faculty references)?
Any similar experiences would be helpful!
Re: Recommendations from non-faculty -- Posted by beachhouse on 10-29-04 13:41
"Rob Use"
wrote in message
news:97ee37a7.0410131523.36f95c2e@posting.google.com...
> II can't take one of the PostBac classes since I've already taken the
prereqs and applied, so I'm self
> studying to take the MCAT's a second time (no problems here either -
> doing pretty well on the practice exams).
>
I think your reasoning is faulty here -- there is no reason why -- and you
should be strongly encouraged -- to retake or take new basic science classes
to demonstrate continued competency in the basic sciences -- especially
after nearly 20 years.... this will also enable you to get your letters of
recommendation. recommendations from computer science colleagues and
engineers won't cut it.
another option is to enter a graduate program -- such as public health or in
a clinical science. this will be more expensive and likely lengthier
however... it may be that this will be necessary to demonstrate your
strong interest, commitment, and most importantly -- achievement -- in the
natural sciences.
Re: Recommendations from non-faculty -- Posted by beachhouse on 10-29-04 13:41
to clarify, there is no reason why you cannot take post-bacc courses.
"beachhouse" wrote in message
news:clu9su$13nm$1@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
>
> "Rob Use" wrote in message
> news:97ee37a7.0410131523.36f95c2e@posting.google.com...
> > II can't take one of the PostBac classes since I've already taken the
> prereqs and applied, so I'm self
> > studying to take the MCAT's a second time (no problems here either -
> > doing pretty well on the practice exams).
> >
> I think your reasoning is faulty here -- there is no reason why -- and you
> should be strongly encouraged -- to retake or take new basic science
classes
> to demonstrate continued competency in the basic sciences -- especially
> after nearly 20 years.... this will also enable you to get your letters of
> recommendation. recommendations from computer science colleagues and
> engineers won't cut it.
>
> another option is to enter a graduate program -- such as public health or
in
> a clinical science. this will be more expensive and likely lengthier
> however... it may be that this will be necessary to demonstrate your
> strong interest, commitment, and most importantly -- achievement -- in the
> natural sciences.
>
>
>
Re: Recommendations from non-faculty -- Posted by Rob Use on 11-02-04 11:54
Thanks for the encouraging note - I'm now looking at other post-bacc
programs (biomed specifically!)
"beachhouse" wrote in message news:...
> to clarify, there is no reason why you cannot take post-bacc courses.
>
>
> "beachhouse" wrote in message
> news:clu9su$13nm$1@spnode25.nerdc.ufl.edu...
> >
> > "Rob Use" wrote in message
> > news:97ee37a7.0410131523.36f95c2e@posting.google.com...
> > > II can't take one of the PostBac classes since I've already taken the
> prereqs and applied, so I'm self
> > > studying to take the MCAT's a second time (no problems here either -
> > > doing pretty well on the practice exams).
> > >
> > I think your reasoning is faulty here -- there is no reason why -- and you
> > should be strongly encouraged -- to retake or take new basic science
> classes
> > to demonstrate continued competency in the basic sciences -- especially
> > after nearly 20 years.... this will also enable you to get your letters of
> > recommendation. recommendations from computer science colleagues and
> > engineers won't cut it.
> >
> > another option is to enter a graduate program -- such as public health or
> in
> > a clinical science. this will be more expensive and likely lengthier
> > however... it may be that this will be necessary to demonstrate your
> > strong interest, commitment, and most importantly -- achievement -- in the
> > natural sciences.
> >
> >
> >
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