how do i get recommendation letters

[oatoptometry]

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So, basically do I just email one of my profs and discuss with them my future endeavors (optometry) and ask them to write me a letter of reference?

Problem is, I don't know any of them, never really cared to personally that is. What if they don't remember me, since all my class sizes were large etc?

Also, do I get to see what my instructors wrote on the reference letter? What is the format etc?

thanks!

 

[Shnurek]

Don't email them. Talk to them in person unless you are like hours away now.

 

[luckyfeet]

If you waive your rights you can't view it, you should waive your rights if you are asking them to write your LOR you should ask someone trustworthy enough to write a good letter for you.

 

[usechopstix]

Pick a professor you did well in (A/A- preferably, B+ should be the very least you did in the class) and go to their office hours and speak to them. Explain to them when you took the class, how you did, future goals, etc. This will be hard for them if they do not know who you are so pick a professor you've spoken to outside of class before. If you do not know any of your professors well, you risk having them write you a very generic LOR. Some may ask you to send them an autobiography about yourself or key points you would like them to mention if you are lucky enough to have a cool professor. To make up for not excellent LORs, ask an optometrist or employer or whomever; since this is not an academic setting, they should know you a lot better.

 

[tmoney35]

Like usechopstix said, I went and talked to a professor whose class I got an A in. It was a large class and he didn't know me at all, but he was happy to write a letter based on the grade I got.

Basically, if you never got to know any professors personally, just make up for it with letter's from optometrists you've shadowed (the one's who will actually take some time to sit down and talk with you) and an awesome OAT score and you'll be fine.

 

[mattosu]

one thing to keep in mind is that you wont be the first person to ask for a LOR. most people wont know their old professors as well as they would like when they ask for a letter. I suggest that you email or call them and ask to set up a meeting to discuss them writing a letter. this is when they can get to know you better. You should also bring with you a copy of you resume and a draft of you admissions essay. this shows that you have given some thought as to what they need. But the biggest thing to remember is that if you go to a large school there will be a large number of people asking for letters and it may take them a while to get through all the request that they get. So get to them early so if they have to take a long time it won't be too much of a problem for the rest of your application.

 

[CuteSclera]

Go to a Professor you got a Good grade in. Dont email them just go in person with some cookies or something ^^