letter of rec from prof

[dreaminofpharmd]

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I'm pretty scared about asking for a letter of rec from my professor...

I go to a school where the class are huge (usually 300+) so our professors don't really know us personally. I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions as to how to best approach asking a professor if they'd be willing to write me a non-generic letter of rec?

Thanks!

 

[sarahjth]

I'm pretty scared about asking for a letter of rec from my professor...

I go to a school where the class are huge (usually 300+) so our professors don't really know us personally. I was wondering if any of you had any suggestions as to how to best approach asking a professor if they'd be willing to write me a non-generic letter of rec?

Thanks!

I was in the same boat but make attempts to get to know someone (if it's not too late.) Office hours, questions.. Who knows maybe a friendship will form? My other advice is go with a professor you haven't had a lot of hours with or maybe taken a lab with.. A more intimate way to get to know a professor is through a lab!

 

[tcid]

Do you have an advisor? He/she should be able to write you a good letter if you have a good relationship. Definitely do not ask someone who doesn't know you to write a letter for you, because it will be generic. You should not be scared to ask for a letter, and if you are, I don't think you should go ahead with it since obviously your relationship with this professor isn't where it's supposed to be for him/her to write you a great letter.

 

[gatheringhoney]

I was in a similar situation and had to approach a chemistry professor I didn't know very well. She ended up contacting my TA, who had interacted with me almost on a daily basis for the entire semester, and she wrote my LOR based on his thoughts and my grade in the class. I also met with her once over coffee to provide her with more information on my background and offer insight as to why I was pursuing pharmacy.

Initially, I was nervous about going this route as my other LOR writers knew me very well, but the chem prof ended up writing an outstanding letter. Thanks to the input from my TA, you never would have known she didn't know that much about me!

 

[dreaminofpharmd]

I was in a similar situation and had to approach a chemistry professor I didn't know very well. She ended up contacting my TA, who had interacted with me almost on a daily basis for the entire semester, and she wrote my LOR based on his thoughts and my grade in the class. I also met with her once over coffee to provide her with more information on my background and offer insight as to why I was pursuing pharmacy.

Initially, I was nervous about going this route as my other LOR writers knew me very well, but the chem prof ended up writing an outstanding letter. Thanks to the input from my TA, you never would have known she didn't know that much about me!

When you approached your chem professor, how did you phrase your question in terms of asking him for a letter?

 

[miss_taken]

I think the best way is to start at the very beginning of the semester. My friends and I sat in the front row of class every single day. Also go to office hours. I would sit there and listen to other people's questions even if I didn't have any questions myself. A good grade in the class also helps. My professor was really nice about it when I asked him.

 

[gatheringhoney]

When you approached your chem professor, how did you phrase your question in terms of asking him for a letter?

I approached her during her office hours with a plan. I introduced myself, told her I was applying to pharm school, and explained that while I fully recognized she knew nothing about me, I was in need of an LOR from a science professor and I hoped she would be willing to help.

I went on to explain my plan: 1) I had had a tremendous amount of contact with my TA whom I had already contacted and had agreed to serve as a reference should the prof request it; 2) I had prepared a packet for her containing my PharmCAS personal statement, resume, and a few other short essays pertaining to my background and my desire to pursue pharmacy in order to give her more perspective; 3) I chose two or three concepts/qualities she could easily address in the letter without really knowing that much about me; and 4) I indicated I was willing to meet with her over lunch/coffee should she want additional information from me. I then asked if she would be willing to write a letter, and she agreed.

When the entire process was over, the prof told me that she had agreed to write the letter for me because I made it so easy for her..... the packet I presented her offered an easy-to-read snapshot of who I was, knowing the TA was willing to vouch for me was a huge plus, and my willingness to get to know her over coffee/lunch showed that I had a genuine interest in her, her class and what she would write about me. This led her to believe I was very serious about my pursuits, and she was excited to help me!

In the end, I think being organized in both my preparation and in the presentation of my request was the key! Hope that helps!

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Since the science professors realize that there are 200+ people for lecture courses, most of them ask for a resume of some sort where you can describe your achievements and give a brief description on why you're interested in pharm school, describe your hobbies and extracurricular activities etc. The majority of the students in my bio and chem classes are pre-med, pre-pharm students, and most of them do get a good recommendation from the professor, given that they recieved an A in the class in the first place. They realize that its difficult to establish a relationship with a professor in which there are too many faces to keep track of, and some of them are more than willing to help you out. My ochem lab professor was more than obliged to write me one, despite her not even knowing my name. My TA put in a good word for me upon her inquiry, so that didn't hurt.

And you shouldn't be scared because a simple "no, I'm afraid I don't no you too well" doesn't mean it's the end of the world. At the end of the semester after you've recieved your grades, take your resume, rec letter request, and politely ask them if they would fill one out for you since you plan on applying to pharm school. 🙂

 

[Mangosteen]

This didn't happen to me but a friend of mine asked our Biochemistry professor at the time to write her a letter and he turned her down because he doesn't write letters for his current students. So I would not suggest asking your current professors, especially if you haven't been seeing them outside of the classroom.

I asked my professors from previous semesters. I asked my Organic Chem I professor because I worked closely with her on a project during Ochem I (I was the team leader). I asked my Human physiology professor because I used to go to her office all the time and she's very nice but I think she was the one that gave me a generic letter. I also gave her my resume to refresh her memories. The 3rd recommendation I asked my boss at work. Don't worry so much if you get a generic letter. I personally don't think it matters that much. As long as you have one strong letter you should be fine.

Although talking to your professor in their office hours help, I did have a Chemistry professor rejected me. He ignored my request completely, and I saw him a lot in his office hour when I took him. So unless you do something unique to stand out, it may not help much, especially in a big school. I did my prereqs at a huge public school like yours and I felt like it was very hard to build a relationship with the professors. The best way is to work with them in lab.

 

[bdl1411]

My reference letters were weak.......laughably weak...no professors, no pharmacists....just older friends (40+) (employer, volunteer coordinator, family friend)...with nothing but nice things to say about me 🙂. Don't stress out too much over them. Of course get the most impressive people you can, but it's not the end of the world if you can't.

 

[ndearwater]

A lot of people are in your shoes; when you attend a big school it's hard getting to know your professors.
I needed a letter of recommendation from my organic chemistry professor by October and only met him in August (first day of class). On that first day, I approached him after class (after sitting front and center) and said, "Hi Dr. X, My name is Jessica and I'll be applying to pharmacy school this year. I would really appreciate it if you would consider writing a letter of recommendation for me in about 2 months. Maybe you could keep an eye on my grades, class participation etc. and I'll give you a folder with all of the materials you might need. Would that be okay with you?" He agreed no problem. And I had known him for like 1 hr!
I asked questions in class, came to his office, made sure that I worked my butt off and by October had about a B average in the class. Just like gatheringhoney mentioned, make it easy for them! That makes all the difference. I gave him a folder with my personal statement, a sort of resume that showed all the classes I'd taken and leadership roles I'd held, and then a letter personally addressed to him telling him what I'd learned in his class so far and what I felt my strengths were etc.
These teachers get asked for letters all the time, you don't need to be scared! Good luck!

 

[Jesukel]

This might seem like a stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway. I have a prof. and I will not be taking her again for any other classes. I'm planning to apply for pharmacy school later on and I wanted to know if I should ask her for a letter of rec. now? If so, do I tell her to give ME the rec? If not, should I wait until I start filling out the pharmacy applications?

 

[tsubasa]

This might seem like a stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway. I have a prof. and I will not be taking her again for any other classes. I'm planning to apply for pharmacy school later on and I wanted to know if I should ask her for a letter of rec. now? If so, do I tell her to give ME the rec? If not, should I wait until I start filling out the pharmacy applications?

Which pharm. program are you applying? Are you using pharmCAS?

 

[nikkai]

This might seem like a stupid question, but i'm going to ask it anyway. I have a prof. and I will not be taking her again for any other classes. I'm planning to apply for pharmacy school later on and I wanted to know if I should ask her for a letter of rec. now? If so, do I tell her to give ME the rec? If not, should I wait until I start filling out the pharmacy applications?

Depends.

Even though you do not plan to take any more courses from her, do you plan to stay in touch with her? Does she know you personally? If the answer is yes, don't worry about asking yet, just build on your relationship.

If not, then yes, get the letter of rec, ask her to seal across the signature and to make multiple copies so you have enough to send to pharmcas or the school you're applying to.

Of course this is assuming you're applying this year. If you're not, then refer to my first point. Get to know your professor.

"Good student, good grades," pales in comparison to a personal reflection and recommendation.