LOR Manners Question

[13132]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Lets say I had a professor last semester that, in retrospect, I think would be able to write me a solid letter. How do I approach him after the entire summer has passed?

Do I ask for his office hours and personally ask him?
Do I bring up my intentions while also asking for office hours?
Do I simply ask him in email and let him personally set something up if he needs to talk to me?

Thanks

 

[macsta]

Lets say I had a professor last semester that, in retrospect, I think would be able to write me a solid letter. How do I approach him after the entire summer has passed?

Do I ask for his office hours and personally ask him?
Do I bring up my intentions while also asking for office hours?
Do I simply ask him in email and let him personally set something up if he needs to talk to me?

Thanks

I'm guessing this is for next cycle. Just email him saying you would like a LOR from and and you want to know when he is available to meet. Bring your resume, unofficial transcript, and personal statement to the pow-wow. Try to keep reminding him through friendly emails or by dropping by his office. Most profs take like 3 or 4 months to write them because of their schedule.

 

[aviendhae]

I'm guessing this is for next cycle. Just email him saying you would like a LOR from and and you want to know when he is available to meet. Bring your resume, unofficial transcript, and personal statement to the pow-wow. Try to keep reminding him through friendly emails or by dropping by his office. Most profs take like 3 or 4 months to write them because of their schedule.

👍

I had the same experience and sucessfully recieved the LoRs that I needed. I took their classes in Spring 2011 and sent them emails last Sunday.

Email the professor and mention something that will jog their memory as to who you are. This will not work if you did not stand out in class in some way. Both of my letters were requested from profs that I spoke to outside of class, one I interviewed for an essay and the other I frequently communicated with via email.

Wait a few days for a response and if none is recieved then DO go visit them with documentation. Most profs love being asked for letters and are happy to comply. Don't forget to explain why you need the letter and also mention how their class benefitted you. A little flattery goes a long way.

 

[13132]

👍

I had the same experience and sucessfully recieved the LoRs that I needed. I took their classes in Spring 2011 and sent them emails last Sunday.

Email the professor and mention something that will jog their memory as to who you are. This will not work if you did not stand out in class in some way. Both of my letters were requested from profs that I spoke to outside of class, one I interviewed for an essay and the other I frequently communicated with via email.

Wait a few days for a response and if none is recieved then DO go visit them with documentation. Most profs love being asked for letters and are happy to comply. Don't forget to explain why you need the letter and also mention how their class benefitted you. A little flattery goes a long way.

Thanks! Maybe you could answer this one too. What exactly should I look for in a personal letter? I will tell you who I am thinking of and tell me if that fits the mold or not.

I have been volunteering in a local ER since I was a junior in HS. The volunteer coordinator is an older woman who really likes me (like her surrogate grandson haha). Anyways, I feel she would be able to talk about my continued and long interest in medicine and comment a bit about how she has seen me progress through the year while maybe even drawing upon comments from nurses, security, registration etc.

Does this constitute a personal LOR?

 

[byaaaaaaah23]

I'm really sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a related question and the above has been very helpful. Is it better to ask a Spring 2011 professor as soon as I get back to school to ensure that my performance in her class is as fresh as possible? Or should I wait until I have my PS done for her to read (probably Spring 2012)?

And I think the situation described above would be an EC/supervisor LOR since you know her through that setting, and she's not a family friend or anything, which would be what I would consider a personal LOR.

 

[mitchlucker]

I'm really sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a related question and the above has been very helpful. Is it better to ask a Spring 2011 professor as soon as I get back to school to ensure that my performance in her class is as fresh as possible? Or should I wait until I have my PS done for her to read (probably Spring 2012)?

And I think the situation described above would be an EC/supervisor LOR since you know her through that setting, and she's not a family friend or anything, which would be what I would consider a personal LOR.

Yes, ask ASAP. Just maker sure you have an up to date resume and some sort of professional objective. Maybe make a rough draft of your personal statement (takes 1-2 hours) and send her that if you feel you need to.

Note: I waited a while to ask for LORs because I didn't think they really mattered/Professors would remember me, and was caught with my pants down scrambling to get a 2nd science LOR in May for my committee.

 

[13132]

Yes, ask ASAP. Just maker sure you have an up to date resume and some sort of professional objective. Maybe make a rough draft of your personal statement (takes 1-2 hours) and send her that if you feel you need to.

I would say ask right away as well. Memories fade quickly.

 

[13132]

I'm really sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a related question and the above has been very helpful. Is it better to ask a Spring 2011 professor as soon as I get back to school to ensure that my performance in her class is as fresh as possible? Or should I wait until I have my PS done for her to read (probably Spring 2012)?

And I think the situation described above would be an EC/supervisor LOR since you know her through that setting, and she's not a family friend or anything, which would be what I would consider a personal LOR.

I see your point, but I am debating the point of a personal LOR if that is the criteria. Aren't friends family etc going to regurgitate kudos no matter what?

Does anyone know if school offer specific advise on what is to be contained in each type of LOR?

 

[aviendhae]

I think the situation described above would be an EC/supervisor LOR since you know her through that setting, and she's not a family friend or anything, which would be what I would consider a personal LOR.

👍

I have been volunteering in a local ER since I was a junior in HS. The volunteer coordinator is an older woman who really likes me (like her surrogate grandson haha). Anyways, I feel she would be able to talk about my continued and long interest in medicine and comment a bit about how she has seen me progress through the year while maybe even drawing upon comments from nurses, security, registration etc.

Does this constitute a personal LOR?

Definitely not a personal letter. I just recieved a letter from a boss I had a long time ago that demonstrates my growth from a teenager to adult. It also mentions how proud he is of my decision to go back to school and the traits he found admirable in me. I was literally in tears after I finished reading it and will use this letter for many things. I know this individual on a personal basis as well, but the letter was written from a professional standpoint. I believe this is what classifies your letter.