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[Wolvvs]

This seems a bit weird. I think it's okay to set expectations when you're working for someone, but for a professor I think it's best to build rapport naturally. Depending on your performance/relationship with the professor you may not want a letter from them anyway.

 

[907914]

At the beginning of the school year go to the prof's office hours and tell them straight up "I want a reference letter from you at the end of the semester and want to build rapport with you so that you'll be able to write me a good one", and then ask them how they think we could establish that rapport. Good idea or not?

*calls Doctor I have never met with*
“Yes, hello Doctor. I have a brain tumor and I know you are a neurosurgeon. You are going to perform my surgery in 6 months.”

Sounds weird, right? Apply same logic.

 

[imbesrs]

At the beginning of the school year go to the prof's office hours and tell them straight up "I want a reference letter from you at the end of the semester and want to build rapport with you so that you'll be able to write me a good one", and then ask them how they think we could establish that rapport. Good idea or not?

I think its best done organically and not.... forced or pre-established with the intention of faking your kindness and attentiveness for an expected reward. Rather just attend office hours, ask questions, sit close-ish in class, look attentive, and and do well in the course and ask for it at the end

 

[907914]

You don't think it's a good idea at ALL to initially mention that I'm looking to get an LOR? To maybe prime his/her expectations? I mean it's a professional relationship, I would think that establishing a reason for me to play kiss-up isn't all that unmerited.

No. They likely have the presumption that every well performing premed is a potential candidate for LOR request. It is professional like a mentor to mentee, not like a business transaction.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Get to know the Professor first. You may not want a recommendation from this person. I would be more inclined to agree to write a letter for someone I worked with and knew better

 

[GoBlue2019]

This is straight-up creepy lol

 

[Wolvvs]

Lol, the great irony is that I got this idea from a post on this forum. Someone posted the age-old question of how to know your profs better and the post was met with replies like my proposal.

Haha what post was that?

 

[Wolvvs]

Getting to know science professors

I've been browsing through some old threads about getting to know science professors, but I feel like I still have some questions I didn't find answers to. 1. I'm planning to get to know my biochemistry professor this semester, but so far the material in the class has been relatively easy so I...

forums.studentdoctor.net

The first thread shown when I searched "how to get to know profs", and the first two replies from that thread.

Thanks for posting that! Yes the first two people agree, many of the others throughout the thread do not.

I think there are certain professors that would be receptive to this, but ironically you wouldn't know until you get to know them first. Professors talk to each other, and if you make yourself look silly/creepy word may spread. This is high risk with very limited upside, there's no real benefit to asking for a letter when you meet your prof vs after you get to know them.

Things are a little different if you're working in a lab/on research. Because this is more transactional, you can let them know that you're hoping to get a good letter of recommendation and ask for feedback on what to do to make that happen. The student teacher relationship is different from employer/employee, and should be treated differently.

 

[Wolvvs]

Yeah you know what, maybe it isn't a good idea. I mean personally I can't possibly fathom why it would seem arrogant/distasteful/'creepy' (lol...), but if so many people are in agreement then I'm inclined to cave in to the majority.

Haha creepy's probably the wrong word. But keep in mind that you're basically asking if it's okay to violate societal norms. Professors know that many of their students will be looking for LORs, it's just a bit presumptuous to bring it up the first time you meet them. Imagine asking for a raise on the first day of a new job..

 

[himalayansaltlamp]

I think a better approach is to go in with some genuine questions during office hours. If you feel solid about course content, maybe ask your professor about their research/research related to what you've learned in class

 

[Smolpuppo21]

Yeah you know what, maybe it isn't a good idea. I mean personally I can't possibly fathom why it would seem arrogant/distasteful/'creepy' (lol...), but if so many people are in agreement then I'm inclined to cave in to the majority.

To me, it sounds like you’re only attempting to develop a relationship with them because you’re seeking a LOR in the future. You may have those intentions, but just be attentive, go to class, go to office hours, and do well. You don’t have to lay it all out there in the beginning because then your relationship won’t have that organic vibe that leads to very strong LORs.

EDIT: my strongest LORs came from relationships with docs/profs where I didn’t even plan on receiving one from them anyways. I had genuine interest in their research and class, and it just kinda fell together.

 

[Goro]

At the beginning of the school year go to the prof's office hours and tell them straight up "I want a reference letter from you at the end of the semester and want to build rapport with you so that you'll be able to write me a good one", and then ask them how they think we could establish that rapport. Good idea or not?

SCREAMS of entitlement.. Do NOT do this

 

[993444]

If you did that to me, I would immediately agree and write that you are a pompous arrogant ass who has a personality I wouldnt trust to walk my dog

Get to know the Professor first. You may not want a recommendation from this person. I would be more inclined to agree to write a letter for someone I worked with and knew better

SCREAMS of entitlement.. Do NOT do this

While we are on the topic, what do you guys think of students who always show up to office hours and force themselves to ask a million questions to impress the professors. Is it brown nosing? Annoying?

This may or may not have been me 😳

 

[Goro]

While we are on the topic, what do you guys think of students who always show up to office hours and force themselves to ask a million questions to impress the professors. Is it brown nosing? Annoying?

Since I haven't experienced this with UG students, I can't answer.

My students are keenly interested when they come talk to me. They're never annoying. A few of my SMP students are though, especially the weakest ones.