How many months in advance to ask for LOR?

[JustinG]

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I'm in a tight situation here, because I haven't really developed a relationship with any bio profs that can say more than "this student got an A". I"m a senior in winter quarter, and only have 1 more quarter before applying.
Assuming I want to apply in June, when should I ask my SPRING quarter bio profs for a LOR? Is 2 months in advance enough time for profs to get LORs in to me before June?

Thanks.

*Edit: I"m on the quarter system. Right now I'm in my 2nd last quarter, Winter. I have Spring quarter left and thats it.

 

[DendWrite]

I'm in a tight situation here, because I haven't really developed a relationship with any bio profs that can say more than "this student got an A". I"m a senior in winter quarter, and only have 1 more quarter before applying.
Assuming I want to apply in June, when should I ask my SPRING quarter bio profs for a LOR? Is 2 months in advance enough time for profs to get LORs in to me before June?

Thanks.

I'd ask them mid-semester. Attend their office hours and stuff and show them that you are interested in what they're doing, tell them about your goals w/ med school, and see if they'll help you out. I'd bring in a resume or something (or even a copy of your personal statement, if you have it yet) so that they WILL have more to say about you than just "this student got an A." Most profs are willing to help out students like this as long as you give them things to write about (with your resume and everything).

I'd ask AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. You do NOT want to be waiting for this letter to come in. And I've certainly had profs who have taken longer than 2 months. I'm going to probably ask 4-6 months in advance. People are busy / lazy.

 

[gmreed2]

Ask as soon as possible for people who already know you. If they can't say anthing beyond "they got an A," make sure you hint/ask to have a meeting with them to review your application and experiences. There are tons of people who do this so you're not alone.

It would also be a good idea to have a rough draft of your personal statement ready at this point so they may critique it.

 

[BlueElmo]

Like others said, as soon as possible. Have them written and sqaured away. Some writers take FOREVER to get to writing them, it's real headache.

 

[FlowRate]

I'll be asking for all of my letters within the first two or three weeks of the coming semester. I already have one of my letters in interfolio.

 

[JustinG]

I'm in Winter quarter. I have Spring quarter left and thats it.

How long are these LORs usually, from a bio prof you've had for 1 class?
Is 1 page double-spaced enough? What's the usual, so I don't sell myself short, not tire the prof?

Thanks everyone!

 

[frescoengano]

the professor will write as much as he / she can...but it should probably be ~1/2 page - 1 page single spaced, depending on the relationship...

btw...do you go to a UC school?

 

[JustinG]

^Yes. I'm guessing you do too? In SoCal?

 

[utah3219]

.

 

[frescoengano]

^Yes. I'm guessing you do too? In SoCal?

sb

 

[skyblue2000]

What if you don't know the professor yet because you just started a course with them. How long should you wait before asking for if they would be willing to write you a strong recommendation letter?

 

[BlueElmo]

What if you don't know the professor yet because you just started a course with them. How long should you wait before asking for if they would be willing to write you a strong recommendation letter?

I'd say until the course is over and you have a grade for that class.