Asking Tutor for LOR?

[migi23]

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My school has a tutoring service open to all students where teachers teach an additional class of 10-15 students to help them with the material. There is also a time after the class if students want to stay and ask specific questions but it is not like one-on-one tutoring which you pay for and have the tutor to yourself. I have been going to these classes for every biology class that they offer and I have been attending all throughout my 4 years in college. I have developed a good relationship with one of the teachers in particular and was wondering if it would be appropriate to ask him for a letter of rec. I am hesitating because he is technically a tutor not a teacher and he is younger (29 I think). He is a teacher for the organic chemistry series and knows me very well. I think he would be able to speak on not only my work ethic but also my personality. But again I'm scared he's too young and not technically a professor at the university.

 

[Goro]

Do not do this; med schools want LOR from your faculty, and many explicitly say so.

 

[LondonVibes]

Don’t do that. Keep him in mind as a reference for future jobs and opportunities maybe but definitely not as a LoR writer.

 

[migi23]

Do not do this; med schools want LOR from your faculty, and many explicitly say so.

I mean he is UCSB faculty just not a professor

 

[Goro]

I mean he is UCSB faculty just not a professor

Its not the same

 

[Hyein]

My school has a tutoring service open to all students where teachers teach an additional class of 10-15 students to help them with the material. There is also a time after the class if students want to stay and ask specific questions but it is not like one-on-one tutoring which you pay for and have the tutor to yourself. I have been going to these classes for every biology class that they offer and I have been attending all throughout my 4 years in college. I have developed a good relationship with one of the teachers in particular and was wondering if it would be appropriate to ask him for a letter of rec. I am hesitating because he is technically a tutor not a teacher and he is younger (29 I think). He is a teacher for the organic chemistry series and knows me very well. I think he would be able to speak on not only my work ethic but also my personality. But again I'm scared he's too young and not technically a professor at the university.

Can you have them write it and have it signed by the faculty member above them? Sometimes TAs write letters and have the prof sign them; I've had advisors tell me that's acceptable if you think the TA will provide an excellent letter. I do think it's preferable to have actual faculty write the letter but if you don't have any alternatives ...

 

[LizzyM]

This sounds somewhat like "office hours". If this person is the instructor for the course and has these additional tutoring sessions, I don't see the problem.