how to get a letter of rec ...

[punkrockprinces]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi,
I'm currently a undergrad at UCLA and I feel like its very difficult for me to obtain a letter of rec from a professor in some of the classes I have taken so far. So far, I know I my PI and my english professor would more than gladly write a letter for me, but I feel like in the science classes I have taken so far (the weeder classes I must add) it is nearly impossible to have any one on one interaction with a professor. Even in office hours, most of the time professors are bombarded by at least 20 students who are all probably pre-med as well. Does the personal interaction with professors get any better in the upper divs? Or is this as good as it gets? In that case, how an I supposed to get a good letter of rec that stands out? Thanks! Take care!

 

[PSU213]

The "basic" courses in the science subjects will generally have larger class sizes than the advanced courses. I would suggest that once you have completed these course and are "eligible" for upper level courses, schedule some courses that have small class size. Also, is possible, try to find a "student friendly" professor (ask upper-classmen, they will probably know). Get to know that professor early on and visit with some frequency even if you really don't have major questions. If the prof knows you, you will probably get a quality letter (even if you didn't get an A--although you should try to get letter from profs you got A's from).

Anyway, I hope this helps. Let the profs of you upper level classes get to know you and you should get good letters.

 

[punkrockprinces]

thanks for the advice. i hope I'm not the only one on here that feels like drowning in these california public universities. 😀

 

[AAKRAZY]

You might consider taking a science course over the summer. The classes are generally smaller, but I know they're not much smaller than the regular session enrollment.

I say this only because I got to know a professor last summer when I was taking a biochemistry class. The office hours are a lot more relaxed, especially if you make it a point to go before the midterms. I think this is a very good way to go if you need the letters soon. Otherwise, doing well in an upper division/seminar style undergraduate or graduate course is almost guaranteed to get you on a one on one basis with the professors who teach these courses.

AAK

 

[kidsmd]

Also another way that you can get around this is by getting to know your TAs. I went to UCLA and when it came time to do recs what was really helpful was approaching the professor and the TA at the same time. Usually the TA can write the letter and the professor will more or less use that same letter and add some minor stuff. At least, that's what happened with one of my LORs. My TA was really helpful. In fact, he asked me to answer a bunch of questions about why i liked the class and also why i was interested in medicine and he included them in his recommendation of me and gave them to the professor.

 

[link26]

in general, if you go to some of their office hours, and introduce yourself the first time around........ profs will be willing to write you a letter.

I went to one of my biochemII professors before the semester was over, and asked him if he would write me a letter if i gave him my 'mission statement' and a short resume. He was cool with that.
But I ended up not having him write it because I got a C+ in the class. 🙁

There were 200 students in my biochem class, but hardly any of them went to office hours. so it was easier to talk to the prof.

 

[osar92]

hey,
i know how you feel about the overwhelmingness of being in such huge science classes. i go to ohio state so my classes are quite large as well. i never went to office hours in any of my classes until this last spring quarter. It really does help. Also, try and sit up front in class. Even if the prof doesnt know you, he/she will be able to recognize your face after the first couple of weeks. If office hours are too full, try and make a special appt to see the prof. That is how i handled my big classes. More often than not, if you just have a few questions, the prof will start up a conversation with you after they are answered. Most professors want to get to know their students as well, esp if they are teaching a big class. So over the semester, try to drop in about 4 or 5 times. After that, it wont be so awkward when you ahve to ask for a rec. I just emailed the profs after the course was over and asked if we could meet to discuss the possibility of writing a lor. 3 out of 4 of my rec writers said they didnt even need to meet with me and would be happy to write the letter on their own. I just dropped off a folder in their mailbox with my cv, amcas, and cover letter explaining a bit more about the process of applying and what i hoped to get out of medical school and they did the rest. good luck!