How do you approach a professor to write you a LOR

[chrisp]

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Not necessarily for med school but to have on record for me if I needed it for a job or club. Also, when people write LOR is their a template I need to hand them or do I just ask them?

Thanks and appreciate any comments on LOR

 

[88pich14]

I emailed my recommenders and asked them if they would meet with me to discuss writing a LOR. We met for about 1/2 hour and talked about my background, ECs, interest in medicine, etc. My premed committee made us write an autobiography for our committee letters so I brought that with me along with my CV.

 

[Amadelphous]

If you pick an established professor/researcher/employer they have most likely been approached several times. It's not as awkward as you think. As mentioned above just send an email asking for a meeting and bring all your papers for them then.

 

[CYP4a]

Don't send emails asking for letters. Go meet with your Prof. in person. And don't just ask because they are a prof. make sure you like the person and are confident he/she will write wonderful things about you. Also don't ask for a generic letter "to have on file." They have better things to do then write one of those, make the letter for something specific. Be smart not annoying.

 

[gte770m]

Definitely meet in person, and you have to make sure it's someone that you have had a regular contact with outside the classroom. If your recommender either does not know you well or does not have a strong, positive relationship with you, don't even bother asking. This is one reason why you need to make it a point to approach your professors with questions and other things outside the classroom regularly. Don't overdo it, but it has to be done.

As far as asking for a LOR, I have found that all the professors I approached were very willing to write one for me. As one of the posters above said, I would usually end up having a 10- to 15-minute chat with them about why I want to go to med school, what have I been doing to prepare for it, and etc. Bring your resume with you when you meet with your professor.

It shouldn't be that hard. Good luck.

 

[cfx]

Stop by their office. If they aren't there, or don't have time to talk, email and ask if you can set up an appointment (or do this beforehand like others have said, but I preferred the drop-in). Then go speak with them in person (unless it isn't possible), and explain to them what you will be doing, and ask if they'd be willing to write you the letter. I was inexplicably really nervous when it was my time to do this, but I definitely blew it way out of proportion. No one hesitated, no one grilled me, no one gave me a hard time or said they didn't know me well enough. It was just an immediate "sure, I'd be happy to". Not a big deal...they do it all the time.

As someone else said, though, I would absolutely not ask them for a letter just in case you MIGHT need one at some point. That's ridiculous. Wait until you actually need one, and can let them know specifically what you need it for. If it's your current professor, and you want to get in there before they forget you, I don't see any problem "planting the seed" by letting them know that you're going to be applying at such-and-such time and are wondering if they'd be willing to write you a letter at that time.

 

[sonia1177]

I knew of the Professors I asked very well because we already had regular email communication and office hour communication. So for my internship, I literally just sent a polite email asking for one.

 

[mfrizzo3]

My method:

 

[ascarybear]

How do you get to know your professors well enough for them to write about you? I just finished my freshman year and all my classes were 150+, no way a professor would know me well enough to write me a letter.

 

[AlexB]

make it happen! Remember, the older they get, the worse their memories get, so for them to remember you, you have to really put yourself out there!!!

 

[lolasmommy]

Not necessarily for med school but to have on record for me if I needed it for a job or club. Also, when people write LOR is their a template I need to hand them or do I just ask them?

Thanks and appreciate any comments on LOR

I simply approached my professors and explained that I was applying to Med. school. They knew exactly what I was going to ask them and they had no problem preparing a letter. Just be straight forward. Let them know what you're upto, let them know what you need from them, and make the process as easy for them as possible. For example, when I was requesting LORs for med. school apps. I prepared a preaddressed/prepaid envelope and gave it to each letter writer. All the writer has to do is simply write the letter, place it in the envelope, and put it in the mail box.
As far as a template, most of my professors had written LORs before and are familiar with a template that they personally use. Some schools request that the letter be written on an official letterhead. Hope this helps.

 

[chrisp]

I simply approached my professors and explained that I was applying to Med. school. They knew exactly what I was going to ask them and they had no problem preparing a letter. Just be straight forward. Let them know what you're upto, let them know what you need from them, and make the process as easy for them as possible. For example, when I was requesting LORs for med. school apps. I prepared a preaddressed/prepaid envelope and gave it to each letter writer. All the writer has to do is simply write the letter, place it in the envelope, and put it in the mail box.
As far as a template, most of my professors had written LORs before and are familiar with a template that they personally use. Some schools request that the letter be written on an official letterhead. Hope this helps.

do you ever have the letter yourself? On the pre addressed letter, did you have it sent to you or the place that you intended to use it ? (ie. job, med school)

 

[cfx]

do you ever have the letter yourself? On the pre addressed letter, did you have it sent to you or the place that you intended to use it ? (ie. job, med school)

For AMCAS, they upload the letter to your application electronically. Very few schools still want hard copies but, even then, they will likely send it through a pre-health committee/service or whatever you have at your school. You should never be in possession of it.

 

[Handinhand]

Bumping this thread instead of starting a new thread.

As far as emailing a professor you've had in the past to set up a meeting, should you be explicit in the email on your intentions for the meeting? I've got two professor from last semester I'd like to set up a meeting with, just confused how to word my email.

 

[iusesharpies]

In my experience, it is always best to be VERY explicit... 👍 Tell them what you need from them in the e-mail and it makes the actual meeting less awkward since you both know what to expect and you're not dropping a bomb on them in case they really just do not have the time.

 

[Handinhand]

.

 

[mishaS]

This is a lot easier than it seems, but I understand, I was nervous my first time getting a LOR. All you have to do is follow them, see where they park, and the kind of car they drive, as well as the license plate number. After the next class, rush to the lot they park at, find the car, get in (buying one of those cop tools might be useful, but a hanger can suffice if you're practiced). When they're about halfway home, pop up, and ask. It's fool proof.

 

[Buttermellow]

This is a lot easier than it seems, but I understand, I was nervous my first time getting a LOR. All you have to do is follow them, see where they park, and the kind of car they drive, as well as the license plate number. After the next class, rush to the lot they park at, find the car, get in (buying one of those cop tools might be useful, but a hanger can suffice if you're practiced). When they're about halfway home, pop up, and ask. It's fool proof.

This made my day 😀

 

[greenlights]

In my experience, it is always best to be VERY explicit... 👍 Tell them what you need from them in the e-mail and it makes the actual meeting less awkward since you both know what to expect and you're not dropping a bomb on them in case they really just do not have the time.

Completely agree. My school's premed advising told us not to mention a LOR anywhere in an email and to say something like "I'd like to meet to discuss my plans after graduation." Well, I tried this with one of my writers and she got really confused, thinking that I was having doubts about my future plans. After all the embarrassment that ensued, I made sure I was very clear to my other letter-writers, haha.

 

[apoptosis123]

A couple related questions:

1. I know most science professors write LOR's for pre-meds all the time and are used to the process, but are nonscience professors equally willing? i.e. is there a sense of "what you're going into is completely different from what I do, why would I write you one"

2. Did most people go to every single office hour when they were trying to get to know a professor? For the nonscience prof I'm seeking out right now, practically nobody goes to his office hours although he is very nice when I talk to him, I just don't know if I'd be over-doing it going in every week.

 

[Handinhand]

So how do you guys suggest wording an email to send to one of these professors? It seems like I should be explicit about why I want to meet with them, but I'm trying to think of how to do that without it seeming like I'm already asking them for it through an email.

 

[karafox]

Dear [Dr.],

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of
recommendation for me.

[your name, your major, when you took the class, what grade you got in the class, detail what you're applying for and deadlines, ask if he wants you to bring CV/transcripts/essays/etc, and when will be a good time to meet him]

Thank you in advance for your time.

[your name]
[contact info]

If he doesn't answer back in a few weeks, just drop by his office. Do not mention the e-mail. Just say, "Hi my name is [], I was in your [] during the [] semester. I am applying to [] and was wondering if you would be willing to write a recommendation for me."

Trust me. You don't have to be best friends with these guys. As long as you're polite and you don't look like a huge dumb ass on paper, most professors WILL write you a letter. They understand how these things work. You don't need to feign interest (but if you truly are interested in them, you can small talk). Just be professional, have your **** ready, and thank them.

One other thing to note. I'm in the process of LORs and it's a huge bite in the ass. Suck up your pride and just ask everyone you made an A in if you're desperate. You have nothing to lose except your feelings when you get rejected. I haven't been rejected yet, because most professors at my school aren't dicks. Granted, these won't be stellar LORs, but they are better than nothing. Another thing is the WAITING and ANXIETY. You never know if they'll make the deadline, which is why it's OK to ask them politely to send you an email when it's sent, or just show up to their office and ask for a follow-up. End it by a thanks again.

Also, I know a lot of people like to give thank you cards/gifts. I honestly think a solid thank you is fine, and from what I read and heard most professors feel uncomfortable accepting gifts. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to thank the professor again after the letters are sent and follow-up with the professor if you've been accepted/rejected (trust me, they want to know!).

 

[Handinhand]

Hi Professor _________,

____________ here from last semester's class. I was wondering if you have any time in the next week or two where I could come in and talk with you for a few minutes about a letter of recommendation.


How's this for an email?

 

[TheMagician17]

How long have you known the professor? That matters and also how large your class size is.

For example, I'm asking my biology professor from 1st semester to write a LOR for me. She thought a 400+ lecture hall so I didn't get to know her too personally. I visited her a couple times and made sure to introduce myself.

I pretty much sent an email saying I was in her class last semester, asking if she remembers me (she did btw), and if she'd be willing to write me a LOR. I also offered to meet in person to get her to know me better if she felt like she didn't know me too well, which she happily accepted.

Professors want to help you out. They're somewhat reticent but if you ask for help, you will get it. Best of luck 🙂

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

this is exactly what I used

Hey Dr.X I'm planning on applying to medical school this June and wanted to know if you would be willing to write my recommendation letter. I can come in during your office hours either next week or the week after and bring a list of my academic/accomplishment records as well as my specific interests in medicine. I would really appreciate it, thanks.

 

[YouNeverKnow22]

Dear [Dr.],

I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of
recommendation for me.

[your name, your major, when you took the class, what grade you got in the class, detail what you're applying for and deadlines, ask if he wants you to bring CV/transcripts/essays/etc, and when will be a good time to meet him]

Thank you in advance for your time.

[your name]
[contact info]

If he doesn't answer back in a few weeks, just drop by his office. Do not mention the e-mail. Just say, "Hi my name is [], I was in your [] during the [] semester. I am applying to [] and was wondering if you would be willing to write a recommendation for me."

Trust me. You don't have to be best friends with these guys. As long as you're polite and you don't look like a huge dumb ass on paper, most professors WILL write you a letter. They understand how these things work. You don't need to feign interest (but if you truly are interested in them, you can small talk). Just be professional, have your **** ready, and thank them.

One other thing to note. I'm in the process of LORs and it's a huge bite in the ass. Suck up your pride and just ask everyone you made an A in if you're desperate. You have nothing to lose except your feelings when you get rejected. I haven't been rejected yet, because most professors at my school aren't dicks. Granted, these won't be stellar LORs, but they are better than nothing. Another thing is the WAITING and ANXIETY. You never know if they'll make the deadline, which is why it's OK to ask them politely to send you an email when it's sent, or just show up to their office and ask for a follow-up. End it by a thanks again.

Also, I know a lot of people like to give thank you cards/gifts. I honestly think a solid thank you is fine, and from what I read and heard most professors feel uncomfortable accepting gifts. Whatever you decide to do, be sure to thank the professor again after the letters are sent and follow-up with the professor if you've been accepted/rejected (trust me, they want to know!).

It would be perfectly acceptable to send a present post-acceptance

 

[orthomyxo]

This is a lot easier than it seems, but I understand, I was nervous my first time getting a LOR. All you have to do is follow them, see where they park, and the kind of car they drive, as well as the license plate number. After the next class, rush to the lot they park at, find the car, get in (buying one of those cop tools might be useful, but a hanger can suffice if you're practiced). When they're about halfway home, pop up, and ask. It's fool proof.

I do this, except with a full Freddie Kruger outfit on.