Letters of Recommendation Imposing?

[Premed315U]

I'm a junior, and will be asking profs for letters of rec for med school soon. I also want to apply to a bunch of scholarships (4) this Spring. Do a lot of people ask the same profs for numerous letters? I am worried that it's imposing to ask for 5. Please help!

Thanks. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

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[Doctora Foxy]

Professors of science classes may be asked by many students, but don't worry! They're used to it and it is their job. I had 6 letters, but only cuz I needed 2 science and 1 from each of my majors and I got 2 from an internship. Better to ask soon, though cuz I was waiting for some of mine during the summer...prof.s get busy and can forget. It may help to give them a grade printout (or just for the class u took w/ them), a copy of your personal statement, and an activity list. This can help a prof remember you, esp if they taught you in a big science class with several hundred students. Feel free to pm me if you have any more questions.

Hope this helps

 

[Premed315U]

Thanks Doctor Foxy

I know these profs really well, which is probably why I'm especially concerned about the burden of so many letters. They're so nice and I feel so bad asking for sooo many. Should I just apply for fewer scholarships so they don't have to write so many?

 

[pre-hawkdoc]

When you say "so many" are talking about # of profs or # of letters. If it's # of profs, there would come a point at which I'd be worried about quality (ie. do that many profs actually know you that well). If you're talking # of letters (like 10 letters from the same 3 profs) then don't worry, they'll just save it on their (or their secretary's) computer and print off a new copy each time you ask them. and like the good doctor said before me, it's their job--part of what YOU'RE paying them to do.

 

[UCLA2000]

Doesn't your school have some sort of letters of rec. service where the professors can send in one letter and the service sends a copy out to wherever you want?

 

[rajneel1]

the letter writing service is only for professional schools and usually doesn't apply for scholarship applications.
apply to all of those scholarships. all your professors will do is change the scholarship name and print out another copy.

 

[Premed315U]

Thanks,

I'm sorry for the confusion. I'm asking 2 profs for 5 letters of recommendation. (the other 2 recommenders I'll be asking each for only 2 letters). So, I'm worried that 5 is imposing.

There is a letter service for med school apps (I'll be asking 4 professors for a recommendation), but they have to send it in themselves for the scholarships.

Does everyone agree? It's fine to ask 1 professor for 5 letters of rec?

 

[Doctora Foxy]

si senor(a)!!!

 

[Premed315U]

How about thank you letters? Should I give 1 at the very end after they've done all 5? Or after each one? or an e-mail thank you after each, and then a nice card at the very end?

Thanks

 

[pre-hawkdoc]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by Premed315U:
•How about thank you letters? Should I give 1 at the very end after they've done all 5? Or after each one? or an e-mail thank you after each, and then a nice card at the very end?

Thanks•••••If I was a prof and you sent a thank-you card/letter every time I printed off and mailed a letter, I'd be pretty annoyed by the time I'd sent out 5 (or more should the need arise) letters.
I usually just thanked them by whatever method I used to request the additional letter. So, if I emailed them with an address, I'd add "thanks again blah blah blah." If it was in person, I'd just reiterate that I really appreciated their help. I'm pretty sure that is sufficient. Any other thoughts???

 

[Doctora Foxy]

I just emailed my professors thank you over the summer, and last fall I stopped by to thank them in person and to give them an update