Anyone else hate asking for LORs???

[Mackchops]

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I don't really feel like I know any of my professors well enough to ask them to write a letter that will contribute to my application at all. I'll probably end up asking anyway, but it seems like a lost cause. Anyone else feel this way about recommendation letters? 😳

Mack

 

[Beta Blocker]

I know exactly how you feel. I would simply email them and say "I know you don't know me very well but I'm in your class and I am in need of a letter for dental school." Tell them your scores on exams in their classes and maybe add, "All I need is a professor to state that I have performed adequately in your class and you would recommend me for further studies in a professional program such as dental school." I have found that the professors are more open when you tell them what you're looking for them to say about you. They really don't need to know you personally. Letters like this have worked for me.

 

[Beta Blocker]

I know exactly how you feel. I would simply email them and say "I know you don't know me very well but I'm in your class and I am in need of a letter for dental school." Tell them your scores on exams in their classes and maybe add, "All I need is for you to state that I have performed adequately in your class and you would recommend me for further studies in a professional program such as dental school." I have found that the professors are more open when you tell them what you're looking for them to say about you. They really don't need to know you personally. Letters like this have worked for me.

 

[tinman831]

It's better to ask them in person, rather than email. It's too easy for them to just delete an email. Visit their office and ask them if they would consider writing you a letter of recommendation. Give them anything that would help them write a good one, like transcripts, personal statements, CV's, or what not. I actually had to schedule an appointment to "interview" with one of my professors before she would write me one. It's hard to get to know teachers on a personal level so sometimes you have to help them along. I'm sure most of the professors have been through it before. 🙂

 

[asd]

Ask your professors if they are willing to write you a STRONG recommendation. Be sure to give them enough time to write it, not just a week.

 

[Generallee]

I don't really feel like I know any of my professors well enough to ask them to write a letter that will contribute to my application at all. I'll probably end up asking anyway, but it seems like a lost cause. Anyone else feel this way about recommendation letters? 😳

Mack

You might try emailing one of your professors and tell them about your situation and see if they would be willing to sit down with you and "interview" you to get a better idea of who you are so they can write a decent LOR. Or simply start going to your professor's office hours and nicely ask them what you would need to do to get a recommendation letter. Usually they'll be more than happy to help you.

 

[Mackchops]

Wouldn't an LOR that just says something like "this student performed well in my class and should do well in dental school" actually hurt an application? I would think that it would be as worthless as saying the same sort of thing in your personal statement and would leave the adcoms to believe that there is nothing special about you?

...although it is comforting to know that not everyone is on a first-name basis with their professor...

What about a lab instructor? I know my gen chem instructor quite well, although she is a PhD candidate -- not a doctor. Any thoughts??

Thanks a ton guys... really appreciate all the advice.

Mack

 

[NerdIAm]

this might be too late of an advice for you but I always KNEW which professors I'd like to have LOR's from before the semester ended. For example, anatomy, physio, or biochem professors' LOR's will probably look favorable to dental schools so I already had my targets set beforehand. I then show up regularly at these professors' office hours so we can get to know each other better... provided I did well in these classes, I usually didn't have a problem asking for LOR's since they already kind of know me. Professors are generally pretty nice and they will be more than happy to write one for you. If they don't know you too well, they might ask you to send them a copy of your personal statement or resume. Just schedule an appointment with the professor to have some alone time to talk about your goals (why you wanna go to dental school etc.) so they understand how important their letter is for you.

 

[Arsenalista]

What about a lab instructor? I know my gen chem instructor quite well, although she is a PhD candidate -- not a doctor. Any thoughts??

Mack

If you get a letter of rec from a grad student, make sure it is co-signed by a professor who is in charge of the class. At my school, we meet with TA's for gen chem but exams are written by the professor. Ask around, you'll be surprised by how some people will want to help as much as you'll have to deal with prof's who will say "This student did well in my class." A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 👍

 

[Beta Blocker]

Wouldn't an LOR that just says something like "this student performed well in my class and should do well in dental school" actually hurt an application? I would think that it would be as worthless as saying the same sort of thing in your personal statement and would leave the adcoms to believe that there is nothing special about you?

...although it is comforting to know that not everyone is on a first-name basis with their professor...

What about a lab instructor? I know my gen chem instructor quite well, although she is a PhD candidate -- not a doctor. Any thoughts??

Thanks a ton guys... really appreciate all the advice.

Mack

It hasn't hurt me. I really don't think it's that necessary to be best friends with your professors, especially if you go to a big university. I think it is much more important to spend your time getting to know a practicing DENTIST. That's what you want to do right? A Dentist? Of course, it can't hurt you to kiss the professors ass, get to know them, and have them write an awesome LOR for you. I'm just saying I really don't think it's absolutely necessary.