Freaking out as application gets closer...

[amar314]

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So I'm freaking out about two things, first letters of rec. I am wanting to ask my psychology professor for the non-science and I want to ask through email and let them know that I'd meet with them to give them my information/ talk. The issue is that I only went to office hours once but I usually participated in class (about 75% of the classes I said something) and I had him for another class my freshman year and so I went to office hours during this class to tell him and introduce myself and we talked for about 30 minutes. I don't care that the letter isn't perfect because I just need to fulfill these professor letters and the rest of the letters will be great.
I'm worried since I feel like they won't remember me etc, the class just ended and I'm currently in winter break. I wanted to send the email before going back because I know he has an event that will keep him busy these next few months.

Second worry is that this semester I got a C in biochemistry and my GPA already sucks (3.47/3.2 sci) and I don't know if I should move on or possibly retake it...I'm graduating next semester

Please help :/ thank you.

 

[787593]

So I'm freaking out about two things, first letters of rec. I am wanting to ask my psychology professor for the non-science and I want to ask through email and let them know that I'd meet with them to give them my information/ talk. The issue is that I only went to office hours once but I usually participated in class (about 75% of the classes I said something) and I had him for another class my freshman year and so I went to office hours during this class to tell him and introduce myself and we talked for about 30 minutes. I don't care that the letter isn't perfect because I just need to fulfill these professor letters and the rest of the letters will be great.
I'm worried since I feel like they won't remember me etc, the class just ended and I'm currently in winter break. I wanted to send the email before going back because I know he has an event that will keep him busy these next few months.

Second worry is that this semester I got a C in biochemistry and my GPA already sucks (3.47/3.2 sci) and I don't know if I should move on or possibly retake it...I'm graduating next semester

Please help :/ thank you.

How are your ECs and MCAT?

 

[amar314]

How are your ECs and MCAT?

I'm taking the MCAT in April and my ECs are very good, long term volunteering where I gained leadership roles, lots of research (got scholarship, presented in different states, most likely publishing)
Thanks!

 

[libertyyne]

That gpa is going to be problematic. Can you boost your scigpa ? A very strong MCAT and an upward trend d would help. Good luck.

 

[amar314]

That gpa is going to be problematic. Can you boost your scigpa ? A very strong MCAT and an upward trend d would help. Good luck.

It should be a 3.3 sci and 3.5 overall by next semester. I'm wondering if graduating in the summer and taking another science class would help? Would you recommend I retook biochem for the chance to get an A?

I know I can do better but I've struggled with personal problems this past year

 

[libertyyne]

It should be a 3.3 sci and 3.5 overall by next semester. I'm wondering if graduating in the summer and taking another science class would help? Would you recommend I retook biochem for the chance to get an A?

I know I can do better but I've struggled with personal problems this past year

Totals and trends matter, I am unsure they will pay close attention to biochemistry. At 3.4 you are almost 2 SD below the matriculant mean. What state are you from? Urm/ORM.

 

[amar314]

Totals and trends matter, I am unsure they will pay close attention to biochemistry. At 3.4 you are almost 2 SD below the matriculant mean. What state are you from? Urm/ORM.

Well my trends aren't very good either. I'm URM in Florida.

 

[libertyyne]

Well my trends aren't very good either. I'm URM in Florida.

Get a 4.0 last semester, if you can do another semester with 4.0 I would aim for that as well. Study for the MCAT and only take it when You are ready, aim for greater than 508. Take a gap year if you do the feel ready to take the MCAT. 508+ 3.5+ should put you in a good spot for state schools and hbcu imho.

 

[amar314]

Get a 4.0 last semester, if you can do another semester with 4.0 I would aim for that as well. Study for the MCAT and only take it when You are ready, aim for greater than 508. Take a gap year if you do the feel ready to take the MCAT. 508+ 3.5+ should put you in a good spot for state schools and hbcu imho.

I'm already taking a gap year so I'm definitely applying this cycle, in any case I'd reapply. Thank you lots!

 

[libertyyne]

I'm already taking a gap year so I'm definitely applying this cycle, in any case I'd reapply. Thank you lots!

It's a marathon not a race. Make your app the best it can be and apply once.

 

[freak7]

Well my trends aren't very good either. I'm URM in Florida.

Just so we're clear and because you mentioned FL. You fall into the category of Mexican-American, Black, Native American, or mainland Puerto Rican, correct? Not all Hispanics are URM.

 

[ac62994]

As long as you did well (A) in that professor's class, they should be receptive in writing you a letter. Good luck!

 

[ciucia53]

first letters of rec. I am wanting to ask my psychology professor for the non-science and I want to ask through email and let them know that I'd meet with them to give them my information/ talk. The issue is that I only went to office hours once but I usually participated in class (about 75% of the classes I said something) and I had him for another class my freshman year and so I went to office hours during this class to tell him and introduce myself and we talked for about 30 minutes. I don't care that the letter isn't perfect because I just need to fulfill these professor letters and the rest of the letters will be great.

I asked 4/5 of my recommenders through email and I had absolutely no problems. Send a very gracious email, talk about what you enjoyed about your classes with him, and definitely ask to meet up, just like you said. I don't think the fact that you only went to office hours once is a problem at all. You talked in class and so he'll most likely recognize your face when you guys meet! Since he has that event coming up, send that email ASAP!!! Good luck 🙂

 

[amar314]

I asked 4/5 of my recommenders through email and I had absolutely no problems. Send a very gracious email, talk about what you enjoyed about your classes with him, and definitely ask to meet up, just like you said. I don't think the fact that you only went to office hours once is a problem at all. You talked in class and so he'll most likely recognize your face when you guys meet! Since he has that event coming up, send that email ASAP!!! Good luck 🙂

Thanks everybody!

So I emailed the professor and here's the response :/

Ideally, you would have letter writers who really know you personally, even if they aren’t Phd’s but perhaps grad students you have worked with. But if you have no one else that qualifies I can write you a letter. Basically, you would write talking about what I would legitimately know about you then I would review it. It probably wouldn’t be long since I don’t know you that well, se let me know if you want to go this route. Cheers.

Not sure what to do 🙁

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

It's a marathon not a sprint. Make your app the best it can be and apply once.

FTFY. A marathon is a race, albeit a long one that requires proper pacing.

 

[wanderingorion]

Thanks everybody!

So I emailed the professor and here's the response :/

Ideally, you would have letter writers who really know you personally, even if they aren’t Phd’s but perhaps grad students you have worked with. But if you have no one else that qualifies I can write you a letter. Basically, you would write talking about what I would legitimately know about you then I would review it. It probably wouldn’t be long since I don’t know you that well, se let me know if you want to go this route. Cheers.

Not sure what to do 🙁

Yikes, doesn't sound like a good LOR source. I'd look for someone else

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Thanks everybody!

So I emailed the professor and here's the response :/

Ideally, you would have letter writers who really know you personally, even if they aren’t Phd’s but perhaps grad students you have worked with. But if you have no one else that qualifies I can write you a letter. Basically, you would write talking about what I would legitimately know about you then I would review it. It probably wouldn’t be long since I don’t know you that well, se let me know if you want to go this route. Cheers.

Not sure what to do 🙁

Find someone else. This letter will be bland at best.

 

[amar314]

Thank you both! I guess I'll have to literally take a non science class for a letter next semester because I don't know any other humanities profs.

I'm trying to figure out if I should ask (for a science letter) my orgo professor, I had him for orgo 1 and 2 and went to office hours pretty regularly but I got a B- and B+ respectively. Bad idea? Also it was over a year ago and I haven't kept up with him.

 

[freak7]

Be glad they were honest with you right off the bat!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Thank you both! I guess I'll have to literally take a non science class for a letter next semester because I don't know any other humanities profs.

I'm trying to figure out if I should ask (for a science letter) my orgo professor, I had him for orgo 1 and 2 and went to office hours pretty regularly but I got a B- and B+ respectively. Bad idea? Also it was over a year ago and I haven't kept up with him.

Depends on what your relationship was like. I have a few professors I haven't talked to in 7-8 years who I'm sure would still write me great letters. I also have professors I just had this year who I wouldn't ask because we never spoke.