The reason i ask is that, i believe that the Professors can better attest to your abilities when the semester has just finished and they still remember you as compared to asking him/her a year later.
I plan to apply next year.So would it be a problem if i get a LOR right now??Are there any technical problems with that?
Your thoughts?
What worked for me when I took a large class sized cell bio course was to make an appointment up front (at the begining of the course). I asked the prof that other than me making up questions to ask him after lectures, and therefore wasting his time (he appreciated the candor), what else might I do to earn a LOR from him. He said, let's sit down and chat. I have a few ideas. As it turns out he sort of mentored me, through 1-2 subsequent meetings, to critique a paper on some extracellular matrix and membrane bound proteins, and their interactions. It was unique, but I'm pretty sure I got a good LOR from him (I signed a contract that I couldn't have access to the LOR).
In other cases, I just sort of got to know the profs. In one case, the dude was about my age. He dropped out of med school after 2 years to go the PhD route, cause he was more interested in basic science and teaching. I did set an appointment with him via an email and told him I'd be needing a LOR for med school. Always ask "would you be willing to write me a LOR for med school. We need these from professors such as yourself" etc. or "what would it take for you to write me a LOR for med school". We were kind of buddies, in a sense, but that's uncommon I'd say.
It all depends. SOMETIMES, as long as the Q's are valid as well as your interest, it may pay to stay after to ask for further explanation on a question you have. Strategically, you would do so in some topic, perhaps covered in class, that would be relevant (thus, they'd be happy to chat about it) to some research they've done. Thus, do your research on their interests.
I think there are many ways to get LORs from professors. Personally, I think they're VERY important, in the long run. I've also found that email communications, periodically, like "hey Dr. X, I just had a question regarding vessicular transport and the interaction of t-snares and v-snares etc etc." This will give you at least a preliminary dialogue. Then, you may approach him/her in person later. Introduce yourself, like a professional. "Hi Dr. X, I'm Sally Mae, and I just wanted to thank you for the quick response on my vessicular transport question I asked you via email. Thanks a lot!" This begins a report.
Again, it depends on the personality of the prof. I think the best method is to say, up front, "Hey Dr. X, I'll be applying to med school next Fall, and they require LORs from professors such as yourself (they know this already, but it's flattering to say it). I've never done this before, but is there any way I could set an appointment with you, at your convenience, to introduce myself to you and discuss ways in which you may be willing to write a GOOD LOR for me? I would really appreciate it. And, I can be flexible around your schedule... For example, maybe we could think of some sort of scientific paper critique/review I might do, or some kind of extra credit. Or, heck, I could even help you out in your lab "if you ever got into a deadline crunch".....(this stuff just shows your willingness to scratch his/her back for them doing you the same.....)"
That kind of thing. Good luck!
