Help about Letter of Recommendation?!

[chemdoctor]

Hello. I have a quick question about letters of recommendation.

So, I am thinking about asking my Gen Chem II professor, Psych professor and English professor for LORS but was wondering how to go about it? I understand that there is a guideline that I have to request them to follow but I was wondering what type of letter it should be? Does it have to be written electronically or a physical copy or both? Also, how would they even sign it? Sorry for the silly question. Just really confused about it. Another problem I have, is that I am considering asking my Orgo II professor for next semester, with whom I may be doing research with as well as Gen Chem I. Would it be weird for both science professors to be from Chemistry?

I understand that Chemistry and Orgo are different but do you think it would raise an eyebrow? I am not very close with my Bio professor nor am I close with my Physics professor.

Another option is that I can do research with a different professor, (who is not going to be teaching me any courses next semester) and get a LOR from him, the Orgo II professor and the Gen CHem II professor?

In terms of non science, I feel that I will be able to obtain great LORS from my English professor because I did very well in her class and from my Psych professor because I did a psych project with her that entailed a presentation last semester!

What advice do you guys have? Thank you so much. Appreciate any feedback!!

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[CloverBale]

I would recommend going to office hours (if possible) and have your application/CV/Personal Statement ready along with this brochure from AAMC: https://www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf
It's a general guideline for letter writers that should be helpful. You can do a simple google search and pull up more documents if you want to give them more resources for your letter.
I know it's a scary process..but what I did was tell them how I enjoyed their class and learned a lot from them..blah..blah.blah, and how I was applying to medical school and would really appreciate it if they could write me a strong letter of recommendation because they really knew me well/other reason...
If they say yes, ask them if there is anything else you could do to help them out write a letter. Suggest meeting in a week or two if they need to ask you more questions. Also give them a deadline.

The two chemistry LORs will be fine. Also, it's never a bad thing to get several LORs from multiple professors. That way when you receive them and read them over (ask for a copy when you're all said and done), you can choose the stronger one. You'd be surprised how great some letter writers can be and how some aren't. Just keep your options open that way!.

 

[MCATISEZ]

I would recommend going to office hours (if possible) and have your application/CV/Personal Statement ready along with this brochure from AAMC: https://www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf
It's a general guideline for letter writers that should be helpful. You can do a simple google search and pull up more documents if you want to give them more resources for your letter.
I know it's a scary process..but what I did was tell them how I enjoyed their class and learned a lot from them..blah..blah.blah, and how I was applying to medical school and would really appreciate it if they could write me a strong letter of recommendation because they really knew me well/other reason...
If they say yes, ask them if there is anything else you could do to help them out write a letter. Suggest meeting in a week or two if they need to ask you more questions. Also give them a deadline.

The two chemistry LORs will be fine. Also, it's never a bad thing to get several LORs from multiple professors. That way when you receive them and read them over (ask for a copy when you're all said and done), you can choose the stronger one. You'd be surprised how great some letter writers can be and how some aren't. Just keep your options open that way!.

I wouldn't recommend asking for copies unless they offer. At least for medical school, where you are waiving your rights to see them. It is not the done thing to do.

One of my letter writers was on a committee (not for medical school) and used letters to hire faculty. She told me most letters come across overwhelming positive, which do not tend to be very useful. Asking to see your letter puts you at risk of this... or perhaps upsetting your letter writer (ultimately you do not know what they submit to AMCAS/Interfolio... unless you watch them submit it).

OP should pick letter writers he/she trusts and if the writer allows him/her to see it... perhaps more power to them.

 

[CloverBale]

I wouldn't recommend asking for copies unless they offer. At least for medical school, where you are waiving your rights to see them. It is not the done thing to do.

One of my letter writers was on a committee (not for medical school) and used letters to hire faculty. She told me most letters come across overwhelming positive, which do not tend to be very useful. Asking to see your letter puts you at risk of this... or perhaps upsetting your letter writer (ultimately you do not know what they submit to AMCAS/Interfolio... unless you watch them submit it).

OP should pick letter writers he/she trusts and if the writer allows him/her to see it... perhaps more power to them.

Most of my letter writers gave me a copy of their letters without me even asking for them! Weird you had such a different experience.

 

[MCATISEZ]

Most of my letter writers gave me a copy of their letters without me even asking for them! Weird you had such a different experience.

For sure! The culture is different at every school. I went to a large state school. Truth is.. you have to judge the culture of where you are. Although I guess seeing your letters takes away any anxiety about a "bad" LOR.

 

[CloverBale]

For sure! The culture is different at every school. I went to a large state school. Truth is.. you have to judge the culture of where you are.

So did I! But yeah I guess just be cautious about asking. Perhaps ask your professors after the letter is submitted to AMCAS and then if you get a copy, you can chose which letters to push through to schools.

 

[calivianya]

Two chemistry professors will be fine. Props to you for getting this done early; it's going to make your life so much easier.

Also - use interfolio!!!

I didn't know about interfolio before I applied. It will keep your letters for multiple years. AMCAS/AACOMAS require you to resubmit letters every year if you have to reapply... one of my biggest anxieties about reapplying is having to ask my letter writers to resubmit my letters next year. I had such a difficult time pulling the letters out of them in the first place that having to contact them about letters AGAIN would just be excruciating.

Also, mention to them that the letter needs to be on school letterhead and physically signed, then scanned/uploaded to interfolio. Some schools are funny about letters being on school letterhead, and will make you resubmit your letter if it's not.

 

[MCATISEZ]

Hello. I have a quick question about letters of recommendation.

So, I am thinking about asking my Gen Chem II professor, Psych professor and English professor for LORS but was wondering how to go about it? I understand that there is a guideline that I have to request them to follow but I was wondering what type of letter it should be? Does it have to be written electronically or a physical copy or both? Also, how would they even sign it? Sorry for the silly question. Just really confused about it. Another problem I have, is that I am considering asking my Orgo II professor for next semester, with whom I may be doing research with as well as Gen Chem I. Would it be weird for both science professors to be from Chemistry?

I understand that Chemistry and Orgo are different but do you think it would raise an eyebrow? I am not very close with my Bio professor nor am I close with my Physics professor.

Another option is that I can do research with a different professor, (who is not going to be teaching me any courses next semester) and get a LOR from him, the Orgo II professor and the Gen CHem II professor?

In terms of non science, I feel that I will be able to obtain great LORS from my English professor because I did very well in her class and from my Psych professor because I did a psych project with her that entailed a presentation last semester!

What advice do you guys have? Thank you so much. Appreciate any feedback!!

Two chemistry professors will be fine. Props to you for getting this done early; it's going to make your life so much easier.

Also - use interfolio!!!

I didn't know about interfolio before I applied. It will keep your letters for multiple years. AMCAS/AACOMAS require you to resubmit letters every year if you have to reapply... one of my biggest anxieties about reapplying is having to ask my letter writers to resubmit my letters next year. I had such a difficult time pulling the letters out of them in the first place that having to contact them about letters AGAIN would just be excruciating.

Also, mention to them that the letter needs to be on school letterhead and physically signed, then scanned/uploaded to interfolio. Some schools are funny about letters being on school letterhead, and will make you resubmit your letter if it's not.

This advice is golden. Use Interfolio!!!! I had the same experience. It was excruciating getting my letter writers to submit them so I could submit my applications early (which of course is very important!). Plus you can submit your letters from Interfolio to both AMCAS and AACOMAS for both MD and DO schools.

To make it better (a pro tip I feel like many do not know)... You can ask Interfolio if your letter writer physically signed your letter and uploaded it on letterhead. Great peace of mind when you do not want to bug your letter writer again (and trust their response... because they are busy people) after you already had them write your letter and politely bugged them to submit it.

 

[chemdoctor]

Wow thanks for the advice guys!! The thing is, all these professors have already willingly asked me if I need a LOR. So they're willing to write one for me. I didn't know it'd be weird if I were to read it?! Sorry but what is inter folio? Should I make an AMCAS account?! Can I see a signed copy through interfolio?!

Also, I always thought giving a Cv was a bad idea. Med schools will have my CV tho right? Does it make sense for professors to essentially regurgitate everything from my CV?

The Chem professor oversees the Chem club that I take part in and do events for. I also did a presentation with him and created an assignment for his students to write. I was gonna just have him give me a physical copy and have him send me an electronic one that I would upload to interfolio on my own??? What is interfolio anyway? How does it work? Do I email them for the LOR through interfolio? Sorry guys.

Just an uninformed new neurotic premed. Quite common tho huh?

 

[chemdoctor]

Also, I'm like two-three years away from applying guys... I don't have a personal statement yet haha.

I just figured I could get these LORs early. Or is that a bad idea because I could do so much more with the professors? Like for the Gen Chem professor, I am planning on TAing for him next Fall..

 

[chemdoctor]

NOTE: I am also VP of the Chem Club that one of them oversees 😀

 

[MCATISEZ]

Also, I'm like two-three years away from applying guys... I don't have a personal statement yet haha.

I just figured I could get these LORs early. Or is that a bad idea because I could do so much more with the professors? Like for the Gen Chem professor, I am planning on TAing for him next Fall..

Slow down! You are way too premature. Think about your letters and personal statement and well... most of the application process junior year (or even later if you need to!) If you want to collect your letters now.. do so for an internship or something else. Not only will your letters be stronger in a couple/few years, but they won't be so old (you want to avoid 2-3 old letters in your application). Enjoy undergrad!!

 

[chemdoctor]

Slow down! You are way too premature. Think about your letters and personal statement and well... most of the application process junior year (or even later if you need to!) If you want to collect your letters now.. do so for an internship or something else. Not only will your letters be stronger in a couple/few years, but they won't be so old (you want to avoid 2-3 old letters in your application). Enjoy undergrad!!

Hmm good point. I just don't want the professors to forget about me. The Chem professors won't, I inow that bc of research + Chem Club and I see them often. But I rarely see the English professor and the Psych professor. I'll most likely never take a course with either of them again. I know they'll remember me of course but you're right. I don't want LORs to be old 🙁

 

[MCATISEZ]

Hmm good point. I just don't want the professors to forget about me. The Chem professors won't, I inow that bc of research + Chem Club and I see them often. But I rarely see the English professor and the Psych professor. I'll most likely never take a course with either of them again. I know they'll remember me of course but you're right. I don't want LORs to be old 🙁

I understand the feeling, I felt the same way. You will want to develop a network of relationships through your undergrad experience. It does not hurt sharing with your career goals with your professors (and even mentioning you will be requesting a letter for your applications in the future). When the time comes you will have many mentors to ask and several strong letters to choose from! The letters are one of the few mysterious parts of the process (if not CASPer... assuming you'll take it), you may have to learn to accept that. When you have 8+ letters, you can pick and choose which schools get which (for MD schools at least... you cannot for DO schools at this time).

 

[chemdoctor]

CASPer?! What do you mean???

And yeah I suppose so. I think I'll just check in the office hours. All these professors know I wanna go to medical school and offered to write the letters for me. But I guess it doesn't matter. I'll go to their office hours just to say hello and talk to them just so they remember me lmao.

So far I'm thinking
Orgo II + research professor
Gen Chem professor VP of club, events, create assignment and presentation + MAYBE TA
English professor. Took a Lit class with her as well and got over a 100% in her class
Psych: presentation and easy cool professor.

What else would you guys recommend? I'm thinking of waiting a year or two. I'll prob be applying 2019/2020. Most likely 2020 so I'll ask for them in 2019 after knowing them for so long. Do you think I should try to get to know more professors?

 

[MCATISEZ]

CASPer?! What do you mean???

And yeah I suppose so. I think I'll just check in the office hours. All these professors know I wanna go to medical school and offered to write the letters for me. But I guess it doesn't matter. I'll go to their office hours just to say hello and talk to them just so they remember me lmao.

So far I'm thinking
Orgo II + research professor
Gen Chem professor VP of club, events, create assignment and presentation + MAYBE TA
English professor. Took a Lit class with her as well and got over a 100% in her class
Psych: presentation and easy cool professor.

What else would you guys recommend? I'm thinking of waiting a year or two. I'll prob be applying 2019/2020. Most likely 2020 so I'll ask for them in 2019 after knowing them for so long. Do you think I should try to get to know more professors?

I think you should do just that. Get to know more professors and try and keep in contact with the ones you already have built relationships with. Not just for the purpose of obtaining letters either (you never know who could hook you up with a cool TA position, job, research opportunity etc.) I would suggest not worrying about it right now. Keep your grades up, gain more experiences, and grow as a person.