I've read other threads about letters of rec, but haven't been able to find anything about how to ask. i see people say don't ask for the letter by e-mail, ask in a meeting.... but i'm wondering, to set up the meeting are you supposed to give a vague letter like "can i meet with you" without saying what you want to meet about, or do you mention the LOR in the e-mail?
Below I said how I did it. Instead of arranging a meeting, find out when their office hours are, drop by, and ask. Although one of my writers required a meeting, the others I asked simply said yes, and wrote the letters so I don't think a meeting is necessary. Just catch them in their office and ask. If you feel comfortable asking someone for a letter, they are going to say yes.
i figure most of you have asked for letters, would anyone share how they approached a professor for a letter?
First person I asked was my research advisor. I was about to leave for the day and avoiding making any eye contact. "(name), I was wondering if you would be interested in writing me a LOR?" (She was already aware I was applying/wanted to do MD).
Second prof, found him in his office and popped the same question.
Third person, there was a bio meeting or something in the bio building. It was the late afternoon/early evening when the meeting ended. She went into her office, about 5 min. later, I knocked on the door, told her I was applying (she had no idea I wanted to pursue an MD) and asked.
Fourth and fifth person I e-mailed. Fourth guy was actually working on a different campus and schedule wise I simply couldn't get there and so I e-mailed. Fifth person I needed for one school, I went on a mission to go to his office and ask him. On my way I ended up passing him outside, we exchanged hellos and both of us went on our ways. I decided to just e-mail him. I would avoid asking via e-mails if possible, but if not, don't throw out a LOR writer b/c your only way to contact them is through e-mail. It's prbably more correct to ask in person, but I doubt someone will deny you simply b/c you asked via email.
I asked my research advisor first because I knew she would say yes, but I was probably the most scared asking her. After she said yes, I found asking the others easier, so if your like me, I would ask the person you know the best first and then ask the others. When I asked individuals 3-5 I was pretty much like, I don't have a choice, I need the LOR's I have to ask eventually, I decided to just do it and get it over with.
also, how do you get to know your profs in a genuine way in big science classes?
Best advice is to bug them during their office hours. Also, if you have a professor for the entire year, they usually get to know you especially if they are your lab instructor. You can also make yourself stand ouy by doing really well or doing poorly and improving. The fourth person I asked was a prof (a non-science prof but) whose class I had a D in b/c it simply wasn't happening for me. I sought his help outside of class and was finally able to grasp the material. In the e-mail, I even said I was hoping he could incorporate my struggling in the LOR to display that I don't give up, etc.
Are you a science major? If so, the classes thin out once you pass gen bio/organic. Upper level science classes are smaller (at my school at least) usually 30 kids at the most. Have you considered working in a prof's research lab? Researching is a plus to any app and your research advisor would surely write you a rec.
