Letters of Recommendation

[mellon977]

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If it isn't obvious, I am a pre-dental applicant. Now, how much weight do you think most admissions put on these letters? I guess it all depends on the school, right? I'm asking as a working professional who has been out of school for 7 years and have lost touch with any academicians from my alma mater. I feel as though I only have dentists and employers or even fellow colleagues from public organizations to speak of my character...what are your thoughts?

 

[PDizzle]

If it isn't obvious, I am a pre-dental applicant. Now, how much weight do you think most admissions put on these letters? I guess it all depends on the school, right? I'm asking as a working professional who has been out of school for 7 years and have lost touch with any academicians from my alma mater. I feel as though I only have dentists and employers or even fellow colleagues from public organizations to speak of my character...what are your thoughts?

I think LOR's are fairly important but what do I know??

I was in your exact same position and was out of school for 6 years. When I did track down my teachers they were actually pretty flattered that I remembered them and their class for so long. Most teachers keep their grade books forever so you will just need to spend a little time with them and update them on what you're doing.

Good luck

 

[mellon977]

I completely agree that I can go that route but in attending a school where a professor has ~300 students per semester...I'm afraid to get a so-so recommendation letter based on grades they have. I feel like it would not be a good representation of my character 7 years later? I will take your advice though and give it a shot...

 

[Utes]

I would imagine that the pecking order would be something like:
Grades
DAT scores
Extra Curriculars
Interview
LOR's

I dunno though, I got some great letters but in the end I don't think it made a whole lot of difference.

 

[PDizzle]

I completely agree that I can go that route but in attending a school where a professor has ~300 students per semester...I'm afraid to get a so-so recommendation letter based on grades they have. I feel like it would not be a good representation of my character 7 years later? I will take your advice though and give it a shot...

That teacher in your class of 300 probably wouldn't know you if you just finished their course so 7 years later isn't any different. Remember, if your teachers have advanced degrees (phd, masters, etc.) they will know all about letters of rec since they needed them too.

Well, the time you spend with them when you are asking for the LOR's is the time where you need to convince them that you would be a good applicant. Treat it like an interview. Don't just ask for one, talk about yourself, your passion for dentistry, etc. Also remember that the LOR from science teachers are to back up your academic ability. Talk about the class you took and try to remember stuff you learned and how you applied it to your other classes or real life experiences. I told my teacher about my science project I did in her class 7 years prior and she actually remembered it. That got me a very good letter.

Good luck