How do I ask a professor for a LOR?

[CDevil]

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Hi, first-time poster. I'm unsure of how to ask a professor for a letter of recommendation. I was told not to e-mail them, but then how do I ask them? Do I just show up at their office unannounced and hope they are not busy at the time? Or should I call them first?

Thanks in advance

 

[redlight]

(i would) schedule an appointment in person or through an email. i suggest you schedule it in person, then bring the packet w/ all the info the prof will need (addresses, your resume/cv, why you are applying and why their rec letter would be beneficial to your app. some writers want to know specifically what you want to speak about). some people ask questions to get familiar with the nature of your application and your motives, etc, but if the person really knows you i think there will be fewer questions.

just make sure you think about the obvious questions you'll get beforehand and be clear and concise when describing what you are applying for. also be VERY SPECIFIC with the wording of the request. "would you feel comfortable writing me a supportive and strong recommendation letter," for example.

 

[CDevil]

If they ask why I want an appointment, what should I say? I don't really want to be cryptic.

 

[redlight]

i was straightforward about it, but i knew the prof pretty well.
i needed the letters for programs, though, so i could have said i was interested in some research programs and wanted some input.

you could say.. 'i have a few questions i wanted to ask in a private setting,' or 'i have a request,' or something. hopefully the prof doesn't inquire about it i guess! heh

 

[Naijaba]

Hi CDevil,

If you have a strong relationship with the professor, it should be absolutely fine to ask him in person to write a letter and then follow up with the packet, as redlight mentioned, about yourself. In my experience there is nothing to be nervous about when it comes to LOR, because professors receive requests all the time. Whether they grant the requests is simply a matter of their existing time commitments and how well they know (and like) you. Moral of the story: If you strive to develop strong relationships with your instructors they will start to expect you to ask for a letter down the road.

 

[CDevil]

I won't be able to ask one of my professors in person because I don't have a class with his and I don't want to show up to his office unannounced. How is this for a primer e-mail:

*Again, I would truly appreciate feedback, as I'm very nervous about this

Dear Professor [his name],

Its [my name]. I hope everything has been going well for you since
the last time we spoke. As you may remember, I am planning on applying to medical school this coming summer, and I was wondering if I could perhaps meet with you to concerning these future plans and possibly discuss a potential letter of recommendation. Do you think you would be able to write a helpful letter of recommendation on my behalf? If so,
I would love to come in and provide you with any materials you need as well as answer any questions you may have for me.

Thank you
[my name]

 

[justdoit31]

I liked it til the end about the "helpful letter"... I wrote my professors and just said I would like to schedule a time to discuss a letter of recommendation for medical school from you. When would be a good time to come by? Most likely if you ask for a letter you know them well enough to trust that they will write you a good letter and that if they don't feel they can write a positive letter they will let you know when you are in their office.

Then brought a packet with the letter info (I used interfolio) and resume.

I used a history prof I researched with (actually didn't even go to her office to me she had offered a long time ago and ended up emailing me asking if their was anything I wanted her to target for me)

organic prof (didn't know him very well but during our conversation he told me he felt very confident about me applying and would write a great letter),

my favorite bio prof/adviser- he asked if I wanted the letter to be the truth or the good stuff (jokingly of course)... he knew me well (3 courses including one abroad)

community service organizer- she cranked it out very quickly I assumed it was a pretty formulated letter she uses for most people

personal physician- she knows my medical history and has had me shadow hers took the longest but she told me it was glowing and was two pages long- and for her letter I gave her the packet one of the days I shadowed her.

 

[cpants]

No need to be cryptic in the email. Just say you would like to meet up to discuss your plans for the future and the possibility of a letter of recommendation. The prof will either reply with a time to meet or tell you they can't write the letter.

 

[DrWookie]

I won't be able to ask one of my professors in person because I don't have a class with his and I don't want to show up to his office unannounced. How is this for a primer e-mail:

While some professors may not do this, most professors i've taken classes from utilize an "open door policy". If their door is open, just knock and ask if they have time to talk. The worst that can happen is they say "No i'm really busy" and then you can say "Well can we make an appointment?"

 

[Rach83]

Good luck CDevil. I just emailed two of my profs asking for the same thing and I get why you are so nervous! I'm kind of terrified they will flat-out deny me before even meeting with me, in which case I would be screwed! 🙁

 

[mbe36]

Be straight forward.

It would be in your favor to give them a resume and copy of your PS.

 

[atomi]

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