Getting a rec letter from a professor who's class you got a B in

[someone9820]

Hey all,
Rising junior here. So I recently got the opportunity to be a TA for Gen Chem I. This is for a professor whom I've never taken a class with. However, at my school there is an opening to TA for Gen Chem II, which I believe I would also be able to do if I asked to switch and changed around my schedule. The GC II prof has taught me gen chem, and I got a B in his class, but we have a really good relationship and I believe we would get closer through the semester if I TAed for him and don't mess up. I believe that there's a chance he would write a strong letter of rec for me. So my question is should I try to switch to GC II to get this rec letter even though I got a B in this class?

I do have other classes that I've gotten A's in but I haven't developed as good of relationships yet so I feel like i gotta plan and have lots of oppurtunities

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[wut?]

No reason why you shouldn't ask especially if you believe the letter of rec will be a strong one. A strong letter of rec from a prof who gave you a B > a mediocre letter of rec from a prof who gave you an A.

 

[Knight in shining armor]

Getting a B in a chemistry course is not a bad thing. And having a great letter from a teacher you have a relationship with is FAR superior to a mediocre letter from a professor who gave you a slightly better grade. Med schools aren’t looking for a 4.00 student, they are looking for a smart, capable student who is also a good person that is capable of forming good relationships with others

 

[freedoctor17]

Are you sure you can TA for the class? I know some professors require you to have gotten an A in the course but not all of them so if you can do it I think it's a good idea as long as you're sure they'll write a great letter.

 

[Catalystik]

Rising junior here. So I recently got the opportunity to be a TA for Gen Chem I. This is for a professor whom I've never taken a class with. However, at my school there is an opening to TA for Gen Chem II, which I believe I would also be able to do if I asked to switch and changed around my schedule. The GC II prof has taught me gen chem, and I got a B in his class, but we have a really good relationship and I believe we would get closer through the semester if I TAed for him and don't mess up. I believe that there's a chance he would write a strong letter of rec for me. So my question is should I try to switch to GC II to get this rec letter even though I got a B in this class?

I do have other classes that I've gotten A's in but I haven't developed as good of relationships yet so I feel like i gotta plan and have lots of oppurtunities

A strong letter about your academic potential is more important than a strong letter about your ability to teach (equivalent to an employer LOR), which would be the focus of the narrative you'd get from this professor. Strategize to get a better letters from other faculty members who have taught you.

 

[buckoh24]

I got my only 2 academic letters from classes where I got B/B+ and got 2 IIs. It especially helps if you start out weak at the beginning of the class and finish out strong because then they can talk about resilience and all that stuff. Honestly I feel like schools care more about work ethic/personal qualities in those letters. They can see your academic performance in your GPA but they cant tell if you slacked off and got that B or if you worked your way from a D to a B.

 

[someone9820]

Are you sure you can TA for the class? I know some professors require you to have gotten an A in the course but not all of them so if you can do it I think it's a good idea as long as you're sure they'll write a great letter.

Yeah I can!

 

[someone9820]

A strong letter about your academic potential is more important than a strong letter about your ability to teach (equivalent to an employer LOR), which would be the focus of the narrative you'd get from this professor. Strategize to get a better letters from other faculty members who have taught you.

Hmmm gotcha. I will strategize but idk I feel like I dont have many other options :/

 

[Catalystik]

Hmmm gotcha. I will strategize but idk I feel like I dont have many other options :/

You do what you've got to do, but with any luck the prof might make comments like those alluded to by @buckoh24 .