LOR from a professor in my major (Biology)? Forum

khs0109 · Post by **khs0109** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:31 pm

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nutella3000 · Post by **nutella3000** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:16 pm

I can think of two pieces of advice that might prove applicable here:

1. Closeness and familiarity to the letter-writer is key.
2. Academic letters trump work-related letters.

That said, I would say that the professor in the law class might be a good choice, but you should make sure he knows you well enough to write an excellent letter.

The teaching assistant might be worth looking to if you have no one else in mind at all. At least you might have more time to interact with him.

And the internship supervisor's letter might not be worth consideration (maybe for loci purposes, it might be useful).

But I don't think that it matters whether you have letters from a biology professor or not as long as the person knows you and your work well enough.

khs0109 · Post by **khs0109** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:40 pm

edited

bp shinners · Post by **bp shinners** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:24 pm

As an anecdote for you, I was a biochem major. My three letters of recommendation came from:

1) Professor of Western Cultural Traditions
2) Professor of class on Russian literature
3) First year honors program professor

There's no need to find a recommender from your major. Go with the advice in the previous post, as it's solid.

SciDoc · Post by **SciDoc** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:03 pm

khs0109 wrote:I am a junior majoring in Biology at a very large public university... I want to pursue IP legal field.

Are you sure you want to do IP? Just want to give you a heads-up that you will be competing with those carrying a masters and/or a PhD in Bio.

The general rule for someone wanting to pursue a career in IP - from what I have gathered thus far - is that they need a Bachelors for Engineering/Computer Science or a Masters for Biology/Chemistry (obviously, preference is given to a Ph.D).

sorry if I burst any bubble...

as for LOR:

Personally, I think they should come from people who you have talked to more than three times outside the classroom. When you go to ask for the letter, I would suggest meeting them in person instead of shooting an email. At least then you can gauge whether or not they seem comfortable writing a substantial letter for you. Doesn't matter what class you had them for, as long as they can express in the letter that you are a fantastic student.

Best of Luck!!

Crowing · Post by **Crowing** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 11:22 pm

Biology is one of my majors and none of my LoRs came from Biology profs. I don't think it matters at all.

bp shinners · Post by **bp shinners** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:19 pm

SciDoc wrote:
khs0109 wrote:I am a junior majoring in Biology at a very large public university... I want to pursue IP legal field.
Are you sure you want to do IP? Just want to give you a heads-up that you will be competing with those carrying a masters and/or a PhD in Bio.

The general rule for someone wanting to pursue a career in IP - from what I have gathered thus far - is that they need a Bachelors for Engineering/Computer Science or a Masters for Biology/Chemistry (obviously, preference is given to a Ph.D).

That's true if you want to practice IP law in that field. A BS in Bio/Chem won't have you analyzing pharmaceutical patents, but you'll still be able to find a job doing medical device work, or something else that only requires a basic understanding of the science involved.

Br3v · Post by **Br3v** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:21 pm

nutella3000 wrote:I can think of two pieces of advice that might prove applicable here:

1. Closeness and familiarity to the letter-writer is key.
2. Academic letters trump work-related letters.

RedBirds2011 · Post by **RedBirds2011** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 12:22 pm

That's true if you want to practice IP law in that field. A BS in Bio/Chem won't have you analyzing pharmaceutical patents, but you'll still be able to find a job doing medical device work, or something else that only requires a basic understanding of the science involved.[/quote]

Really? I thought for medical device work you needed some sort of engineering background? Can a bio major really get into this stuff?

khs0109 · Post by **khs0109** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 1:29 pm

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SciDoc · Post by **SciDoc** » Mon Mar 26, 2012 2:51 pm

khs0109 wrote:yeah.. I am aware of all the warnings about having only bachelors in bio/chem won't give me any job in IP field. So I am considering doing a masters degree in biotechnology after my JD if that is going to be helpful.. I did an internship at patent law firm and I really liked what they were doing but sometimes I get so depressed about this bleak prospect. But I am definitely not going to do phD.. that's just... too much.

I would consider getting the masters before law school...spend time on your masters, increase your LSAT score meanwhile, get a good LOR from a professor during your Masters and you will be set. Honestly, might not be what you want to hear, but I wouldn't take shortcuts on something like this hoping that it will all "just fall into place"...

If IP isn't completely set in stone for you, then just go straight to law school, but if it is, then like you know, and what others have said, a Bachelors in Bio won't get you very in far in IP (if BigLaw is what you are aiming for.)

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