asking LORs from professors you hardly know

Started by Isoprop
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Isoprop

Isoprop

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How can I approach a professor from years ago about an LOR? Turns out, one of my science LOR writers bailed on me after stringing me along for months. I was expecting a strong letter from her (not really her fault, just an unfortunate situation).

I've been out of school for 1.5 years now and I think I have to go back to from professors 3-4 years ago. Anyone been in this situation? Any pointers without saying "hey, I know it's been a while, but you remember when I asked you those questions in office hours in 2008?"
 
Isoprop said:
How can I approach a professor from years ago about an LOR? Turns out, one of my science LOR writers bailed on me after stringing me along for months. I was expecting a strong letter from her (not really her fault, just an unfortunate situation).

I've been out of school for 1.5 years now and I think I have to go back to from professors 3-4 years ago. Anyone been in this situation? Any pointers without saying "hey, I know it's been a while, but you remember when I asked you those questions in office hours in 2008?"
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I'm not a nontrad, but I think I remember hearing about a similar situation before. A good idea may be to contact one of your old professors and ask to set up a face-to-face meeting -- this way you can fill them in about your goals and what you've been up to lately. After a meeting like that they could possibly write a good LOR for you, I would think.
 
Isoprop said:
How can I approach a professor from years ago about an LOR? Turns out, one of my science LOR writers bailed on me after stringing me along for months. I was expecting a strong letter from her (not really her fault, just an unfortunate situation).

I've been out of school for 1.5 years now and I think I have to go back to from professors 3-4 years ago. Anyone been in this situation? Any pointers without saying "hey, I know it's been a while, but you remember when I asked you those questions in office hours in 2008?"
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I've had to do the same thing. I went back to one of my professors after 1.5 years and said something along the lines of 'hey, remember me?'. That's all it took. He was really glad to write a letter for me. It seems like it will be awkward when you think about going up there but most professors are glad to see you. Most of my teachers have said they hate being in their office for office hours because students don't come.
 
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I'm really sorry. That is a tough situation. If you're applying this round that really puts you in a bind. Unfortunately, the problem with getting LORs from professors from years ago who hardly know you is, that often a lukewarm or "blah" LOR can be interpreted as the equivalent of a bad LOR. LORs are generally expected to be glowing which is why they so rarely impact the app process unless they contain specifics that are impressive or the writer is someone with clout with the adcom.

If this is your only recourse, I'd make sure that when you find a professor you give them the following:

1)A brief recollection of the class you took with them. Lectures your remember. Things the professor said that impacted you. Interactions you had with them. If it was a class you really enjoyed, be sincere and tell them why you still remember this class years later. Professors are teachers and they really appreciate hearing what things stuck in students' minds and what affected them the most. Plus, a little flattery won't hurt.
2)Your CV - Also, relate to him the activities you were doing while you were taking their class.
3)Your PS
4)Give them a brief description of what med schools expect from a "Good" LOR. I did this for my letter writers and all of them said they were glad I did. You'd be surprised how many professors just don't know what to put into an LOR. Do a google search for Medical school letters of reference guidelines at various pre-med committee websites. Many of them give guidelines to letter writers so they can write the best letter possible.
5)Whatever your deadline is, tell the professor that you need it 2 weeks earlier then that. Trust me. Even writers who I was friends with still dragged their feet with LORs. People have busy lives an LORs tend to be low on people's things to get done. Even when I gave deadlines many of my LOR writers still gave them to me a week late. Good thing for me that was still a week early.

Best of luck.
 
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Thanks for the advice guys. The biggest hurdle for me is that I don't live close to my alma mater but I'm willing to make the drive if it means a good chance at a letter.

Should I try to explain the situation to my potential LOR writers? Tell them that one of my letter writers could not write it for me and that is why I am turning to them. Or do you feel that it would be inappropriate?
 
Ugh, another problem is that for a lot of my science courses, I had 4 or 5 professors teaching one course. So I would meet one for 2-3 weeks and move on to another. If I don't get in this year, I feel like I should take a CC science class to fulfill it for next year.

It's okay. I'm relaxed. 😎 No stress here.
 
NTF said:
If this is your only recourse, I'd make sure that when you find a professor you give them the following:

1)A brief recollection of the class you took with them. Lectures your remember. Things the professor said that impacted you. Interactions you had with them. If it was a class you really enjoyed, be sincere and tell them why you still remember this class years later. Professors are teachers and they really appreciate hearing what things stuck in students' minds and what affected them the most. Plus, a little flattery won't hurt.
2)Your CV - Also, relate to him the activities you were doing while you were taking their class.
3)Your PS
4)Give them a brief description of what med schools expect from a "Good" LOR. I did this for my letter writers and all of them said they were glad I did. You'd be surprised how many professors just don't know what to put into an LOR. Do a google search for Medical school letters of reference guidelines at various pre-med committee websites. Many of them give guidelines to letter writers so they can write the best letter possible.
5)Whatever your deadline is, tell the professor that you need it 2 weeks earlier then that. Trust me. Even writers who I was friends with still dragged their feet with LORs. People have busy lives an LORs tend to be low on people's things to get done. Even when I gave deadlines many of my LOR writers still gave them to me a week late. Good thing for me that was still a week early.

Best of luck.
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Quoted for truth. Follow this advice, exactly!

Isoprop said:
Should I try to explain the situation to my potential LOR writers? Tell them that one of my letter writers could not write it for me and that is why I am turning to them. Or do you feel that it would be inappropriate?
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That's tacky. How would you feel if an ex called you up because they got dumped by the person they were currently dating? :meanie:

Better to say that you had always wanted an LOR from them and apologize for not asking earlier when their memory of you was fresher. 🙂
 
the letter writer should be someone who knows you and someone who you interacted with that can attest to you.

A letter from a professor who says that you were in their quantum mechanics class and that you were diligent with your questions and did well in their class is not a letter that is going to help you.

Try finding a letter writer who knows you skills and who you are as a person and how they believe you will succeed in medical school .
 
Dianyla said:
Quoted for truth⸮ Follow this advice, exactly⸮


That's tacky. How would you feel if an ex called you up because they got dumped by the person they were currently dating⸮ :meanie:

Better to say that you had always wanted an LOR from them and apologize for not asking earlier when their memory of you was fresher⸮ 🙂
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The ends justify the means. Lie to your professor in hopes that the LOR will get you into the best med school possible. Also, cheat on the Mcat, too!
 
Seriously, professors don't deserve to be lied to. If you believe you are entitled to manipulative behavior and that your self-serving behavior is permissable, then you should become a lawyer, not a doctor. If you don't put people first, then you'll never put patients first. If you don't even have enough respect for professors, then how are you going to respect would-be patients that are engineers, fire-fighters, teachers, and musicians? You gotta respect all people while you're a doctor and before becoming a doctor. With the advice that NTF has written, pick a relevant virtue and kindly ask your professor to elaborate on that virtue. Make sure you actually have the particular virtue or else the adcom will sniff you out, but the benefit of this approach is that the professor will gladly write a LOR for a virtuous alum. The tables will turn from the prof doing you a favor to them being reminded how lucky they were to have you as a former student! They like teaching because it helps students like you. With this perspective considered, the professor should be a lot easier for you to approach them.

It is very unfortunate about your last LOR writer who bailed. I hope this minor obstacle is the last hoop you gotta jump through for awhile. :luck:
 
This is tough. I've called a few and have gotten a few responses that have read "I don't really know you so I don't know what to write." Not surprising since it's been a few years and I only had you as a professor for 3 weeks.

I'll keep trying but it looks like I'm out for the count this round. Just a few schools ask for at least 1 science LOR so perhaps I'll try there and then try again next year.

Hmmm, these post-bacc classes for 2010-11 are expensive.
 
Isoprop said:
This is tough. I've called a few and have gotten a few responses that have read "I don't really know you so I don't know what to write." Not surprising since it's been a few years and I only had you as a professor for 3 weeks.

I'll keep trying but it looks like I'm out for the count this round. Just a few schools ask for at least 1 science LOR so perhaps I'll try there and then try again next year.

Hmmm, these post-bacc classes for 2010-11 are expensive.
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Don't call, that will creep them out! Nothing beats knocking politely on their door, greeting them with a friendly smile, warm handshake and act like you're happy to spend a few minutes with a former professor.

If they don't recognize, surely they can get clues from your body language right? Tell them you took their class, planning on med school, and needed a LOR from them if they're willing to write one for you.

I tell you this advice seriously and ask you to think about how much of a faux pas it is to do it over the phone. I also imagine you may have had a creepy/awkward voice because the phone call was definitely a bad idea.

If there are a couple science professors you haven't called yet, then go drive there in person. Nobody is going to tell you "yes" over the phone, especially when they're squirming in their seat and being made to feel uncomfortable. Do you see the viewpoint from their perspective? You are some worried student looking for help for his problem.

Since you probably ruined your best candidates, what you need to do now is own up to the fact you ruined your best candidates. The full list of teachers who are now to be considered your candidates are:

EVERY SCIENCE PROFESSOR YOU HAVE EVER HAD, WHO YOU HAVE NOT YET CALLED
​

Exhaust this list of candidates until you get one LOR that you need, and you do accurately need a LOR from a science prof, given your facts proffered in this thread. If you exhaust this list (in person) then you should try one final chance at the professors who you have already called.

C'mon, you can do this! If you have any more questions, I've added this thread to my watch-list! :luck:
 
Also, lol, if you truly follow my advice, you can tell the original people you called to write about how tenacious you are. :meanie:

But seriously, try to relax tomorrow and start this dilemma fresh on Monday. You have no idea how much better it is to completely forget about this headache, take a 24 hour period to recharge ur mind, then come back to the problem on Monday with a relaxed, focused, and diligent state of mind.
 
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