Best time to ask for LORs?

[Samin23]

I plan on applying to Dental school during the next cycle (beginning summer 2017). My pre-dental advisor at my school said that I should have my 2 LORs from science professors ready by January when I spoke with her a few weeks before spring break. With that in mind, I decided to ask my OChem 2 professor for a letter today (I went to office hours throughout the semester, I volunteered to do problems on the board most classes, and I made an A). After speaking with her, she was surprised to see me because I don't apply for another 10-11 months, and she said to remind her again in February or March, even though my advisor said to have them ready by January.

Is January too early, or should I aim to get all of my letters during the middle of the Spring 2017 semester?

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[workofshart]

No way you need to ask a year early..the best thing to do would be keep building a relationship with your professor so your letter is even stronger. They aren't going to slave over it for weeks on end so no reason to ask that early unless it's impossible for you to keep up your interactions. Plus it will be dated and I believe schools like letters within one year of you applying.

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[deleted696582]

I'm applying in the next week, and I asked all of my letter writers about a month ago. It's probably best to ask at least two months in advance, so you'll be fine if you ask during the middle of your Spring 2017 semester like you suggested.

 

[JLT223]

At least 1.5 months prior to the semester ending.

 

[SrJulio]

Give your profs enough time to write a strong letter for you. I would say at least 2 months in advance. Give them your CV and talk about anything you want them to include on the letter when you ask them


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[sharkteethdentist]

I made good relationship one year before and asked them 4 months before the cycle opens. I gave them my hand written chirstmas cards to say thank you.


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