How to ask for a LOR from Professors/from DO/MD?

[arc5005]

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1. I'm curious if anyone has a professional e-mail template for asking for a LOR from a professor? and/or from a professional in the field such as a MD or DO?

I'm not sure how to go about asking them and also including all the information I would need to for them to write a good LOR.

2. What things do I need to include?
-Resume/CV?
-Medical school Personal Statement?
-Transcripts? - Wouldn't just my GPA suffice?
-Remind them how you did in their class/es?
-Anything else?

3. What if I were to use Interfolio? I'll probably sign up for Interfolio, so that I can have the LORs in there.

I guess I mainly just want to see a template, so I can do it in the most professional manner.

I know some schools require 3 science LORs? or 2 science, 1 non-science LOR?
4. - Would it be smart to use a professor from 3-4 years ago, who really liked me, but then I also did extremely poor in my last class w/ her, because I had major senioritis? In this situation can I ask her if she would even write me a good LOR?

5. What if I don't have a good non-science professor LOR?

sorry, if this seems neurotic, I just want to be professional.

 

[deleted407021]

I actually asked in person and got a great letter. I also had a very approachable biochem professor with whom is spent lots of office hours. I would only do this with current or recent professors.

I wouldn't include all that if I were to send an email -- I'd simply ask if they would be willing I write a letter (after a bit of "I very much enjoyed your course yada yada") giving them ample time to respond. If they ask for additional info, provide it. Don't appear presumptuous.

I don't advise that you ask for a letter from a professor who taught a couse you did poorly in, especially from "senioritis", i.e. "I'm a senior and I've stopped caring about school YOLO".

 

[deleted407021]

Also, some writers won't want to use Interfolio for whatever reason. Ask first.

Don't ask for a letter from a professor or other source who can't speak quite favorable and effectively on your behalf. You're asking for a lukewarm letter at best, if you go that route.

 

[j4pac]

Never ask if someone would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. Ask them if they would be willing to write you a STRONG letter of recommendation. A weak LOR does you no good...and if you do not have assurance that the LOR will help you...you don't want it. A LOR is more than a check in a box...it can HURT you.

 

[deleted407021]

Never ask if someone would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. Ask them if they would be willing to write you a STRONG letter of recommendation. A weak LOR does you no good...and if you do not have assurance that the LOR will help you...you don't want it. A LOR is more than a check in a box...it can HURT you.

Aye, this is an important point. Spend time with the writer as well -- during the writing process -- (don't be overbearing though) and you can pick up if they're putting work into the letter or not. Even if they agree to write a strong letter as the doc said, if they crank it out in a day, you may well have cause to be wary. All the more reason to ask for a strong letter from a good source. Gives them a reason to speak highly of you and not just spit out a "(s)he got an A and (s)he's smart, I guess".

 

[TexasMedic15]

I didn't have a template for my physician when I asked him for a LOR. He's written plenty of letters before though so I think he already has a good grasp on how to write them. I think what you decide to give him/her is going to depend on what you want the letter to be about.

I had my professors write me a good letter about my work ethic, extracurriculars and leadership so I gave them my resume, my personal statement, and a full list of my extracurriculars including officer positions. I wanted my physician to write about my bedside manner and other good aspects while in the clinic so I suggested that in my email to him.

Unless you never really spoke with your professors, I don't think you will really need to remind them how you did in their class. Personally, I only chose to ask professors whose classes I made A's in and who I personally spoke with on more than once occasion.

Also, @j4pac 's advice is on-point. Too many people I know ask wonderful people for letters, but unfortunately some of those people are absolutely terrible letter writers. Having a LOR can only help you if it's very well written.

 

[arc5005]

Both science professors I plan on asking know me well. I have a strong repertoire with both science professors I already plan on asking. I'm having a difficult time finding a third professor though.

 

[TexasMedic15]

Can you not get a LOR from a physician? You definitely need one of those. Also, which schools require a third LOR from a science professor? I only had two letters from science professors and never ran into the issue of needing another one. I did have a faculty letter though so maybe that's why.

 

[arc5005]

Can you not get a LOR from a physician? You definitely need one of those. Also, which schools require a third LOR from a science professor? I only had two letters from science professors and never ran into the issue of needing another one. I did have a faculty letter though so maybe that's why.

I forgot which schools, but I checked MD and DO programs and I remember a couple saying they needed 1 non-science, 2 science LORs. I will be able to get 1 MD recommendation for sure at this moment. I plan on also getting 1 DO recommendation at some point before application season.

 

[deleted407021]

I forgot which schools, but I checked MD and DO programs and I remember a couple saying they needed 1 non-science, 2 science LORs. I will be able to get 1 MD recommendation for sure at this moment. I plan on also getting 1 DO recommendation at some point before application season.

As far as DO goes, are you certain that's not only for applicants who lack a committee letter, which are usually preferred?

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Prep CV, PS and a letter of intent tailored to each professor/physician. Email first to ask for a face to face, then solicit in person if they don't respond within weeks. Try to give yourself wiggle room before next cycle begins.

 

[arc5005]

Prep CV, PS and a letter of intent tailored to each professor/physician. Email first to ask for a face to face, then solicit in person if they don't respond within weeks. Try to give yourself wiggle room before next cycle begins.

I live on the other side of the country from my professors. The physicians I can definitely ask in person. 🙂

 

[adrian710]

I asked in person for my MD LoR and in person for my DO LoR. I emailed my 3 science prof's about writing LoR's for me as well. Everything worked out great. I sent them my CV and a document with added material I wanted them to include.

 

[arc5005]

I asked in person for my MD LoR and in person for my DO LoR. I emailed my 3 science prof's about writing LoR's for me as well. Everything worked out great. I sent them my CV and a document with added material I wanted them to include.

what kind of extra material?

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

Yeah if you have good letter writers you can get like 48hr turn arounds. 2 of my letters were written in this way because I knew them very well and they were super on top of my timeline.

 

[adrian710]

what kind of extra material?

Information I wanted them to include that was not in CV such as my interest in DO medicine. I believe I only told my genetics teacher to add this part in.