How to get an academic evaluator when I haven't been in school for over a year?

[Elfanara]

I graduated undergrad in may 2018. This is my second time applying as I took a year off in between. UPenn wants one of the recommendations to be from a professor. So what do I do? Do the old ones from my first time through count to that or not? Am I supposed to call up an old professor who wont remember me and ask for an eval? Help.

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[that redhead]

I graduated undergrad in may 2018. This is my second time applying as I took a year off in between. UPenn wants one of the recommendations to be from a professor. So what do I do? Do the old ones from my first time through count to that or not? Am I supposed to call up an old professor who wont remember me and ask for an eval? Help.

Any chance that one of them was an advisor, or that you TA’d for, ran a club with, etc? Regardless of who you ask, I’d strongly recommend sending them a resume and cover letter so they can write something at least somewhat tailored to you specifically.

 

[katashark]

I had been out of school for 2 years when I applied to vet school. Luckily, my advisor remembered me and I sent them updated resume/cover letter for sure. I also sent them a nice summary of what I'm doing with my life/why vet school/etc (I hadn't decided vet school until after undergrad was done). I think most professors are pretty used to being asked by students 1 – several years after undergrad for folks to attend grad/professional school. They should understand. Any professors you were even a little bit close to at all?

 

[altadama]

I'd try reaching out to your professors, you may be surprised. I had been out of undergrad for over 2 years when I applied and I still had 2 professors who wrote me letters. I just set up some time to talk to them about what I'd been up to since graduating and sent them a resume with a little blurb about why Im applying to vet school/what my goals are etc. One of them I helped with several research projects, but the other I had just taken a couple of her classes. If you did research with any professors, had an advisor you spoke to a lot, or had a professor for some smaller classes...those might be good places to start. Good luck! 🙂

 

[CoffeeQuestionMark]

Any chance that one of them was an advisor, or that you TA’d for, ran a club with, etc? Regardless of who you ask, I’d strongly recommend sending them a resume and cover letter so they can write something at least somewhat tailored to you specifically.

I had been out of school for 2 years when I applied to vet school. Luckily, my advisor remembered me and I sent them updated resume/cover letter for sure. I also sent them a nice summary of what I'm doing with my life/why vet school/etc (I hadn't decided vet school until after undergrad was done). I think most professors are pretty used to being asked by students 1 – several years after undergrad for folks to attend grad/professional school. They should understand. Any professors you were even a little bit close to at all?

In addition to this, when I asked for a letter from a generic professor I was requested to provide my personal statement. And if possible, make an appointment to see them in person.

However, do consider that if you have to ask someone who you are not sure if they will remember you, will that be a good letter of recommendation? Most people are involved in extracurricular activities during college. I had several PIs (3) write me letters this past cycle. The previous year when I applied I asked my research paper mentor. I also considered asking the microbiology lab manager, who ran my parasitology lab class, because in a lab you ha ve a lot more direct contact.

 

[Elfanara]

I had been out of school for 2 years when I applied to vet school. Luckily, my advisor remembered me and I sent them updated resume/cover letter for sure. I also sent them a nice summary of what I'm doing with my life/why vet school/etc (I hadn't decided vet school until after undergrad was done). I think most professors are pretty used to being asked by students 1 – several years after undergrad for folks to attend grad/professional school. They should understand. Any professors you were even a little bit close to at all?

There was one but she was a Human Development teacher (I minored in Human Development and Family Studies), not biology or anything. Would that still work do you think?

 

[ajs513]

There was one but she was a Human Development teacher (I minored in Human Development and Family Studies), not biology or anything. Would that still work do you think?

While Penn prefers science professors for the professor LOR, they accept any faculty member. It should just be someone who can speak to your ability to do well in the program and be a good vet in the future. If your Human Development professor would write you the best recommendation, then probably go with her.

 

[katashark]

There was one but she was a Human Development teacher (I minored in Human Development and Family Studies), not biology or anything. Would that still work do you think?

Does it specify what kind of professor they want it to be? I'd say see what she says about it when you ask.

 

[that redhead]

As long as it isn’t required to be a science professor, I’d think it’s far preferable to have a letter from someone who knows you better versus a generic copy/paste letter from a random science professor.