How did you connect with profs in office hours?

[Mavs88]

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Well, I have a prof for Bio 1 who also teaches bio 2 and is an incredible teacher with a rather rigorous course.

He is known to write fantastic LOR and invites students to TA his labs as well.

I really want to get to know him, but what do I say? I ask a question this obvious because I understand everything in the class and am doing well....I'm almost looking for an excuse to go in but don't want to look like a fool...any suggestiones?

 

[ChuckSlayer]

Honestly what I can tell you is ace your tests and be in that small percentile who is showing that you want to succeed and are succeeding. You already said that your grades are good so thats a start.

From my experience with professors is if you are doing well in their class they take the time out for you.

I busted my hump through general chem and organic and ended up with over a 100% in all of them. It helped that I had the same professor for Chem 1&2 and the same for Organic 1&2.

You know what? When I would goto office hours I would see students who just don't care getting brushed off when they were trying to talk to the prof. When myself or anyone else who was really busting hump went in, they would take time to sit and chat and do anythibg for you and I have a good friendship with these profs.

Dont be afraid to approach them. Generally they like it when a student is interested in research in their field or just generally.

I hope this made sense as I am in a rush this morning.

Good luck!

 

[eizeral]

I never went to office hours once and still got 6 excellent recommendations. I just made sure that I was an active participant in every class and sat in one of the first 3 rows so that I would be seen. I'm pretty outgoing and had no problem engaging professors even during lecture, so I didn't think it was necessary for me to waste time waiting for help in office hours. This did kind of make things harder though when trying to figure out who to ask for recs.

My advice to you is to go to office hours and while your receive help, try and share some more information about yourself. And in regard to your current dilemma, just ask him if you can TA for him. Better than sitting around waiting for something to happen!

 

[Escape_Goat]

First, get to know the professor because he/she is a nice person and good professor, not because you want him/her to do something for you. They, like most reasonably intelligent people, can smell disingenuousness a mile away.

Second, stop by office hours with well-informed questions about topics covered in the course. Know something about what you are asking so you can have a conversation. You can also ask about his/her research, provided you are interested in it in some way.

 

[eizeral]

Yeah I was never part of office hours. I often felt like it was a cultish gathering of sycophants who were there in hopes of getting an LOR letter. I was always surprised at how many people were in office hours who just didn't need to be. Many people who were there were genuinely struggling, and I felt bad for them because all the premeds would ask questions about things they had already finished. "Is this right? I think it is but I just wanted to check" really detracted from the time the professor had to help the genuinely struggling people who just needed to pass one chemistry course for their dietetics major or something. Anyway....thats the end of my office hours rant.

I got all of my science LORs (except from my research PI) from small upper level classes in which I would sit in the front, be active, and ace my exams. I also show up very early to everything so that helps in a small class setting because the professor will chit chat with you whether you before class starts. I also took tons of honors humanities courses which are an excellent source of LORs because the professor REALLY knows how you think, how you articulate yourself, and your personality to an extent based on your essays and course discussion.

I think many premeds think a million science letters are crucial, but I disagree because those classes are huge and many times and you will get a generic letter despite your best efforts to "connect" in office hours. I only had the bare minimum (one I think for most schools) and the rest came from humanities professors. Due to the nature of humanities courses, those professors are going to be able to insightfully comment on aspects of your identify as a student and person that science professors won't.

Exactly. I got LOR's from Spanish teachers, my study abroad professor, and an English professor, as well as from profs in Chem, O-chem, and biochem. Arriving early to talk to the professor helps too! I had one approach me and ask me if he saw me at a restaurant on campus and we talked about that as well, lol. Lots of professors used to use pick on me on class jokingly because they knew they could haha. Definitely speak up and don't be afraid to be wrong! Showing confidence and interest in the lecture means something to your professors!

 

[Mavs88]

Thanks for all the advice, people!

Some notes: I really didn't want to get to know the prof for LOR, he really is an interesting guy and incredible educator. I also really want to be an undergrad TA for his labs.

He's gotten mixed reviews from students on "approachability", from "total a$$" to "incredible to talk to"...this may be the spectra between the D and A students lol.

I think one place to start is to go discuss some questions on the previous exam that I missed.

 

[Goro]

We profs tend to get to know those students who sit up front, and those who do well. You can always go and ask something on this order: "Dr Goro, can you tell me about your research?"

Well, I have a prof for Bio 1 who also teaches bio 2 and is an incredible teacher with a rather rigorous course.

He is known to write fantastic LOR and invites students to TA his labs as well.

I really want to get to know him, but what do I say? I ask a question this obvious because I understand everything in the class and am doing well....I'm almost looking for an excuse to go in but don't want to look like a fool...any suggestiones?

 

[circulus vitios]

15) Q: I want all of my LOR's to be TOTALLY AWESOME! How can I get to really know all of my professors?

A: Unless you're an incredibly hot female and your would-be LOR author is a single male, your professor has absolutely no interest in getting to know you. Unless, of course, you have something meaningful to contribute to his field or life, such as a productive research assistant.

16) Q: Can't I just go to his office hours to get to know him?

A: Sure, go this person you don't know and try to start up a conversation about something that would interest him. I'm sure someone 20-30 years older than you would love to postpone his busy schedule of writing exams, failing premed students, research activities, grant writing, or going home, to entertain whatever irrelevant bull**** someone half his age has to converse about. Your inorganic chemistry professor doesn't care about getting to know you, he just wants you to get the hell out of his office so he can work or go home, or get to know the incredibly-hot-yet-stupid premed peer of yours.

 

[deleted303591]

Yeah, professors love when you ask them about his or her research.

Visit them during office hours at least once a week.

 

[papi89]

I'd try to discuss something with them (research, paper for the class, etc.) that has a subjective component to it so it can lead to an actual discussion. Just going in to discuss a quiz, problem set, etc. is probably going to lead to a quicker, less interesting conversation. Or, if that isn't possible, at least express some interest in the prof's research interests and try to strike up a conversation about that.

 

[DokterMom]

Well, I have a prof for Bio 1 who also teaches bio 2 and is an incredible teacher with a rather rigorous course.

He is known to write fantastic LOR and invites students to TA his labs as well.

I really want to get to know him, but what do I say? I ask a question this obvious because I understand everything in the class and am doing well....I'm almost looking for an excuse to go in but don't want to look like a fool...any suggestiones?

Does he ever mention something in his lectures that sounds interesting but is somewhat tangential to the class? Follow up on that --

 

[Mavs88]

Thanks for responses, this prof doesn't do research so that's out the window.

 

[zacharyw]

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[Mr Roboto]

Get a very high A, sit in or near to the front of the class, ask questions about exams, be an active participant in his lectures (respond to his Q's, ask Q's up front after lecture). Find out what they like and talk to them about it. I went to my premed advisor/professors office once a week for 7 months before he started remembering me consistently. Now I'm one of his favorite students, he wrote me an LOR, he seeks me out to talk to... you gotta put in the time. Don't be a suck up, but make yourself familiar.

 

[DoctorLacrosse]

Wow never thought of the research question. totally using it! great info.

 

[otterxavier]

Office hours are one thing, but I've also had good relationships with professors start by e-mail. "I was curious about this thing that you mentioned during class, is there any additional reading on that topic that you'd recommend?" Or, conversely, "I just read this article that ties in really well with last week's lecture -- thought you might find it interesting." That way you're not wasting their time (time that other students might really need) during office hours, but you're showing additional interest in the subject and opening the door for them to invite you to have a longer conversation, talk about relevant research opportunities if they come up, etc.

 

[The Buff OP]

Since I go to CC, I wait for class to be over and chat with them about current events about science. Also, just start with a question about them and then carry on a normal conversation. With my bio professor I spoke about my life and stuff (struggles).

 

[ciestar]

Assuming you're not perfect in the class, when you get an exam back, go in and discuss it with him! It's a good way to lead into a conversation.

 

[zacharyw]

Since I go to CC, I wait for class to be over and chat with them about current events about science. Also, just start with a question about them and then carry on a normal conversation. With my bio professor I spoke about my life and stuff (struggles).

+1. Some professors enjoy chitchat, I frequently showed her the latest cool/cute/funny video on youtube or buzzfeed articles.

 

[The Buff OP]

+1. Some professors enjoy chitchat, I frequently showed her the latest cool/cute/funny video on youtube or buzzfeed articles.

Yup. Just make sure you guys are being real about the conversation. My EMT professor from summer (teaches on the side) is finishing a master's in communications. I believe he said he is studying micro-expressions (like the guy from Lie to me), so whenever he talk to me I had to be 100% truthful. Hahaha.

 

[youmed]

Thanks for responses, this prof doesn't do research so that's out the window.

What you can do is to email the professor to arrange for a 15~20-long one-on-one meeting. Even if he doesn't do research now, he probably did some of his own during his younger days. You can start off the conversation with questions regarding the types of research he may have done during his undergraduate or graduate years (I'm sure he did). During the meeting, show your genuine interest in wanting to TA his labs. Remember, most professor LOVE to talk about their works, whether they be his research projects or the courses (including his labs) that he teaches.

 

[CognitiveCheese]

You could be completely upfront about your intentions and he might be willing to help you out with a good recommendation letter. I did this with one professor this semester, telling her that I will be taking her course next semester and will be asking her for a recommendation letter sometime next year. She was very willing to schedule a meeting with me because I have been doing good work in her class.

Another professor of mine completely understands how important letters of recommendation can be for grad applications (who doesn't?) and informed me that I would want a recommendation letter from him over another lab director's (I am in both their labs) when I told him of my plans. It really helps to have academic interests and goals that match your professor's interests. It is equally important to be passionate about learning. Be honest and respectful, not manipulative.

Some professors may just not like you, unfortunately. I've had some bad relationships with people who might have been really important letter writers, but what can you do if they just don't like you?

 

[ThisCouldBeYou]

First, get to know the professor because he/she is a nice person and good professor, not because you want him/her to do something for you. They, like most reasonably intelligent people, can smell disingenuousness a mile away.

Second, stop by office hours with well-informed questions about topics covered in the course. Know something about what you are asking so you can have a conversation. You can also ask about his/her research, provided you are interested in it in some way.

I like this advice. Others have suggested you go in with an exam to talk about some question you missed and this is a TERRIBLE idea! Okay, it's fine to get clarification, but not so good if you want to be remembered for how well you did. Also, if you did this, be prepared. You may be making that professor feels defensive. If you ever do this, don't expect your grade for that exam to be raised.

 

[jm192]

The two most obvious things have already been mentioned. You can talk to them about things before/after lecture. I've had countless professors that several of the students have cut up with and swapped stories with.

Office hours are good--I wouldn't go just to form a connection. But, if I had any questions on the material, I'd go and ask ask ask. Then they get to know who you are, they'll start asking you stuff, and the relationships just kinda grow.

Get involved in organizations that include faculty--you'll get a chance to rub elbows and talk outside of class/office hours.