LOR question

[418865]

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I'm a junior who, like everyone else, had mostly 200+ students science classes and I unfortunately never took the time to get to know my science professors (plus being an introvert doesn't really help lol)....I've two very strong non-science (one biopsych professor..well he's a PhD student..will he count?) recs lined up and a very strong one from research PI and a volunteer site too.

As for sciences...I'm actually considering to ask a science professor who taught me my first year seminar (physics course on nanotechnology)..I got to know him very well but didn't really 'followed up' with him in the last year and a half..so my question is: is it going to be weird to approach him next semester for a rec? or should I consider asking someone who I took recently so s/he remembers my performance and stuff..

 

[Morzh]

It doesn't really matter how long ago you worked with them. What matters is their ability and willingness to write a strong letter. Just approach him and say more or less, "I really enjoyed that seminar and felt like I performed really well. If I were to prepare a packet for you with my resume, personal statement, transcript, and MCAT scores would you be comfortable/able to write me a strong positive letter of recommendation for medical school?"

If he is hesitant or even if he says yes but you come away with a gut feeling that the letter may just but cookie-cutter mediocre then find someone else. But professors are used to writing letter for people they don't know really well. So offering them a resume, etc. goes a long way in helping them have meaningful stuff to say beyond 'So-and-so did well in my class, showed persistence, blah blah blah'.

 

[StoicJosher]

I was in the same boat as you are.

Here is what I did. I emailed/met with a handful of professors (even ones who probably barely recognized my face) and told them about my situation - mainly that I was working full time while going to school full time etc etc etc. I asked them if they could write me a letter and gave them a packet with my resume, transcripts, a personal statement etc. I asked them if they could write me a strong letter and upload it to interfolio.

From interfolio, before getting it into AMCAS, I sent them to Admissions Council - they do an evaluation of the letters and give you a score out of 10 stating how strong the letter is.

So basically I had 5 letter evaluated ($25 each) and got back the scores. Most of them basically only talked about my academic capabilities (it looks like that is norm for teachers who dont personally know the student) but in the end, a couple of letter writers wrote strong letters after reading my personal statement, resume etc (a 9.3/10 and 8.9/10). So basically, you are hedging your bets.. ask a whole bunch of professors and pick the one (or two) that is the strongest and get them into your AMCAS. The others can stay in your interfolio account and rot.