B in class- should I ask the prof for a LOR?

[Mistress S]

I was recently disappointed to find out I got a B in my genetics class last term. I went into the final with a 96% in the class, but that last test was worth 50% of the grade and apparently I didn't exactly ace it. I was planning to ask the prof for a LOR because I really liked both him and the class, but now I'm not sure if I should. I know in most situations this wouldn't be advisable unless there were some kind of extenuating circumstances, but my school has kind of a weird system- our pre-med comittee which writes our letters asks for 5-6 letters from profs plus as many non-university letters as you want, so I'm probably going to be submitting 7-8 letters total, which I have to do by April. So far, I only have 1 letter from a science prof, and I'm not planning to take more science classes before I have to submit letters to the comittee, so I kind of feel like I should ask my genetics prof even though I didn't get an A in the class. I spoke to my pre-med advisor about it, and she said that they ask for so many letters just to get a feel for you as a student and don't expect all six of them to be amazing. I know my letters from humanities profs and from "outside" sources will be great, but as an english major at a large university where all of my science classes have had >100 people in them, it is difficult to get to know science profs well enough to get a good letter from them. I am pretty sure if I ask this prof he will write a letter for me- they actually have a form for profs from our university to fill out rather than have to sit down and write out an entire letter, so it's not such a big deal- and while I doubt it would be stellar, I'm reasonably sure he would have good things to say about me. Given that it is only one of several letters I will be getting and the importance for me of having at least one other science letter in my file, do you think I should go ahead and ask him? I am leaning towards doing this but am still hesitant, and unsure of exactly how to approach him about it.

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[ivyleague22ny]

Hello,
Based on my experience, both of my professors, whom
I asked for recommendations, were in classes where
I got a B+, but I still got accepted to med school (allopathic, US, top 15 schools). Although I could have asked recommendations from my professors who gave me A's, I opted for the two that I got a B+ because they simply knew my academic potential, intellectual curiosity, and my personal attributes. The classes were I got A's in were intro premed classes of 500+ students, where I never really got to know the professor.

I judged this from the positive remarks I would get from them about my progress and their critiques on my papers. Although I waived my access to the letters, I was confident that they would write a thoughtful, insightful letters of recommendation that would stand out in the eyes of the adcoms.

Bottom line, get people who know you well and can clearly articulate your strengths (not always by grades, but by the quality of your work, your progress in the class, your personal traits that are important in a physician, etc.).

Good luck!

 

[Pickle Salt]

Do it. Ask.

i got a B+ in my physiology class but enjoyed the hell out of it and interacted alot with the prof. when i went to ask him if he'd be comfortable writing me a letter even though I got a B, he said sure, because he could tell I had gotten alot out of the class.

I've gotten 6 interviews in Texas (with average stats) and the letter was brought up more than once by interviewers commenting on how impressive it was.

hope this helps.

 

[michmaki]

There is no doubt in my mind that you should ask!!!
Like someone said before, the grade really is not significant as long as the professor truly feels that you tried your best in his/her class. If you showed that you tried your hardest, then, the teacher would have no excuse to give you a bad recommendation, regardless of the grade.

 

[DAL]

if you truly feel that professor can speak about your academic potential and you as a person then i say go for it.

but be wary, i've talked to some professors who write lots of letters and they say they often include the grade you got and your rank in that class.

you say you're short of letters of recs. from science profs. so i say go for it if you really feel your genetics prof. can give you a good letter. plus, there's nothing wrong with a B+.

 

[samyjay]

I got a B- in one of my upper level bio classes and asked the prof for a recommendation. I think it is important to go in and talk to the professor, makes sure he knows you as a person, and say that you worked hard in the class, after all, that is what they want to see; potential. So far, i guess it has worked for me as i have been accepted to 2 med school, and a total of 6 interviews. Good luck

 

[XCanadianRagwee]

I made a mid C in my histology class, but I still got a LOr of rec from my prof. He knew all about me, he looked after all of us, and even when I went to see him after my final, since he said he wouldn't post grades, but to come in and get them from him, he offered me a TA spot that I'm finally taking advantage of this year.

There's nothign wrong with getting a LOR of rec from a class you received a bad grade in. As long as the prof can talk about your abilities and make the letter more personal than having them say yeah this kid is in my class and he did this this and this (blah blah blah), then it's perfectly all right.