Question for those who go into USC

I was wondering about the letter of recommendations that are required for USC. I called them today, and I've been told that there has to be 2 from lecture based science professors. Since I'm not sure if I'll be able to get another lecture based professor's LOR, I was wondering if there is any leniency regarding this requirement? Because I'm pretty sure I can get other science professors LOR, but just not lecture based, but USC says no to those. But I'm sure they know that we can't fullfill every dental school's requirement on LOR since all the schools get the same LORs.

So my question to those who go into USC, did you have to fufill the 2 lecture based science professor LOR requirement? Or did they give you guys some slack?

THanks!

I see. The thing is, I already have one from my ochem prof, but I just need one more, which I want to get from a bio prof. But the thing is, I think I can get a letter from a bio prof that I've worked with, but never took his class. I called other schools, like Midwestern, and they don't mind if I have a LOR from a professor that I've worked with, but haven't taken the class. So I was like "yay!" until I found out USC and Case specifically require science professors that are lecture based.

I did talk to one sci prof that was lecture based, and what he basically told me was that there's only so much to talk about, went to office hours, got a good grade, ECs..and that's about it. On the other hand, if I got one from a sci prof that I've worked with, it would be kinda better because he can comment on my work habits, attention to detail, etc, which I think would help gauge how one's work ethiics in the dental office.

So I guess I have no choice to just somehow get one from a lecture based biosci prof then..I did ask two bio profs by email, but they never responded, so I'm guess that's a no? Or should I go ask them in person in their office?

I just don't have that many options for LOR from bio profs because I have a hard time getting As in bio, haha. It's mostly in physical science where my As are at.

Somehow I was always under the impression that you must have an A in the course to get a strong LOR.

I'm trying to get a LOR from a bio prof because some schools require one from bio, and one from physical science. So hard to try and satisfy them all! lol.

Yeah, thanks for the advice, it definitely opened up my possibilities a bit. Now I'm just hoping at least one bio prof is nice enough to write me a good one

Yeah, USC didn't specify, but I would like to hit 2 birds w/ one stone you know?

That's good to hear! I wish many prof. were like your bio one. I'm in really good relations with my ochem prof, too bad that's not the case with my bio ones. The thing is, for my school, they change professors every 5 weeks into the quarter(10wk quarter) sometimes they even have 3 professors teaching one course, and it's so hard to know them, and it doesn't help when they won't make extra office hours for students who have schedule conflicts -__-.
Anyway, when I go ask, and if they're like "who are you?" I'll just be like "you don't remember me? I always go to your office hours" LOL. I mean, they have a tone of students that go to office hours, so I doubt they'll remember each and every one. XD

Cool, thanks for your help! Good luck at USC~!

xhamburgersamx said:

USC doesn't place extreme emphasis on LOR's because at my interview, MANY people were missing the correct letters of rec from science professors. At the interview they will give you a sheet of paper detailing the missing or required letters (if you didn't already satisfy them). Of course its better to your package sent out sooner than later and then fix the formalities later - this is for USC specifically, other schools need them upfront.

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Oh, wow, so they don't give any slack on the fact that it must be from lecture based profs. huh?

Crap, I got turned down from every lecture bio prof I asked. They just told me the same thing that if they do want to write me a letter, it won't be strong because they don't know me, yet there's always 40ish students at their office hours. Gah...I don't know if a non lecture bio professor will do..

Hrm, I want to take a smaller upper div bio class, but I don't want to overload myself with classes when I have to study for the DAT. So I don't think I can go that route.

Well, the prof I talked to today said something like it's impossible to like just sit down for 2 hours to get to know me. ARgh....I mean, if it wasn't for the LOR being from lecture profs, I don't have a problem...hrm..since USC doesn't specify the requirements on their website(unless they do, but I couldn't find it) unless you call and ask them, could I just get one from a non lecture bio prof and be like "oh, I didn't know about the LOR requirements because I couldn't find it on the website"

Okay...I mean, if I do get a LOR from a non-lecture prof, I guess I can tell them not to mention that they aren't a prof from my lectures right? So then..everything works out? Haha..hopefully.

Thanks for all the input Ma Grillz, you're probably tired of hearing about my woes, lol. But it's stressing me out.

I'll try everything, I guess I just have my play my cards right, and very carefully.