LOR Questionaire

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2PacClone23

2PacClone23

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Okay so I managed to secure a LOR from one of my professors that I got an A- in.

She agreed to write me a letter. It won't be the best of things and she doesn't really know me so I suggested I would give her a questionnaire about me to get to know me better. Things like name, interests, why I want to become a dentist, my passion in life, life dreams, and other things.


My question is....what other things should I include in this survey/questionnaire. Please give me some other questions and information that I should include to give her the absolute MOST to work with and write me a damn good letter. Thanks!
 
Most professors find it useful to have a copy of your personal statement (if available) and a resume. The personal statement would provide a bit of a background about you and why you want to be a dentist; the resume will show a some other stuff you've done. That can eliminate a "questionnaire", and if there's any other stuff you want him/her to know, it can be nice to just schedule a time with him/her and sit down and chat.
 
Definitely include a section on what differentiates you from other applicants. List four or five qualities or personal characteristics you'd want dental schools to know about you.
 
Well considering it's November 1st, I don't have a personal statement. I apply June 2010.


But thanks to the above poster, I'll be sure to include that. What other questions and survey type deals should I include??? I really wanna make her write me a good letter and get to know me better through this document. Thanks again...help!
 
flying rider said:
Most professors find it useful to have a copy of your personal statement (if available) and a resume. The personal statement would provide a bit of a background about you and why you want to be a dentist; the resume will show a some other stuff you've done. That can eliminate a "questionnaire", and if there's any other stuff you want him/her to know, it can be nice to just schedule a time with him/her and sit down and chat.
Click to expand...

Don't send your Personal Statement, because your prof will never read it! don't give him/her too much work, imagine you trying to do someone a favor and suddenly you find yourself reading an encyclopedia, bad idea!

I would recommend 1-2 pages in point form explaining your reasons for applying to dentistry, what distinguishes you from your classmates and finally your achievements and awards.

Good luck
 
Ah thanks! I didn't put anything about awards or anything. I've done a lot of EC but is it worth mentioning in a letter? I mean, it's already stated on the application itself. Also, should I ask her to let me read the letter? What else should I include?
 
2PacClone23 said:
Ah thanks! I didn't put anything about awards or anything. I've done a lot of EC but is it worth mentioning in a letter? I mean, it's already stated on the application itself. Also, should I ask her to let me read the letter? What else should I include?
Click to expand...
That's a NONONONO!
Don't ever ask that!!!
 
Really? I can't ask? What if the letter sucks?
 
2PacClone23 said:
Really? I can't ask? What if the letter sucks?
Click to expand...

recommenders will never write a letter that "sucks", if they didn't like you, they will refuse writing you anything.
Now if you request to see the letter, 1. you show that you don't trust your recommender, 2. you limit your recommender from freely expressing him/herself.
If you want to see the letter, chances are it will be very generic:
so and so is a good student, who achieved A in my course of 150 students, his academic record shows that he has the ability to succeed blah blah blah, very generic.

But if it's fully confidential, the recommender may put some heart and soul in to the letter that he/she doesn't want you (his/her student) to see, perhaps a very sensitive side"
In my career, i've rarely seen anyone work to so late at nijght on an experiment taht could be done the next day, his dedication and genuine interest distinguishes him from students with similar academic achievements etc.
 
2PacClone23 said:
Really? I can't ask? What if the letter sucks?
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are really worried about getting a mediocre letter. I take it you won't apply till next cycle, why don't you get to know a prof now and ask them for one at the end of the term? Like others have said before, asking to read the letter is EXTREMELY disrespectful for the reasons stated above.

If you have any classes that are small, those are the best settings for getting to know a prof. Best of luck with that pac
 
Well as far as a personal connection or a "spilling of the soul" moment is considered, I very much doubt this. The professor doesn't know me very well apart from a few emails. The only thing she knows is that I got an A- in her class and that I'm an aspiring dentist.
 
2PacClone23 said:
Well as far as a personal connection or a "spilling of the soul" moment is considered, I very much doubt this. The professor doesn't know me very well apart from a few emails. The only thing she knows is that I got an A- in her class and that I'm an aspiring dentist.
Click to expand...

if this is the case, then you probably will not get the 'good' letter. you would probably get the letter that she writes for other pre-med / pre-dent students with little bit of changes here and there.

IMO, especially if you attended big school, it is hard to get such a personal letter from professors. You may have one or two profs who really know you but in classes with size of 300+ students, it's hard for profs to really know you.

fortunately, from my previous experiences, not having such personal LORs is not a huge deal as far as getting interviews. Many of my LORs were from profs who didn't even know my name until I asked for the letter, but I didn't have problem with getting interviews. I even had a chance to ask a dean at dental school to go over my file one time (last year after i wasnt accepted) and he said my letters were good, which probably means it's just decent but it wont stop me from getting in.

I think if you want to have a really good letter which can help you to stand out, you need to find a prof that you kept a good relationship for awhile (research, frequent office hours, volunteering as group leader or something). It is almost impossible to expect your prof to write you a 'good' LOR when you say that your prof doesn't really know you other than from emails.
Fortunately, i dont think this would be a big issue, unless you need great LORs to compensate for certain areas in your application - in this case, i would suggest you to find another person who really knows you
 
Yeah the LOR isn't the most important aspect anyway. I'm pretty sure I'll write a kick ass PS. Regardless, I still think it's somewhat critical to have the LOR at least acceptable, you know? It's just a weird feeling NOT knowing what will be contained in that letter.
 
Why don't you find another prof, build a relationship, and ask for a LOR which would probably be much better? If time isn't an issue here, I don't see why not...
 
Well I have a LOR from a dentist and another one from a biology professor. It will work out.
 
I still wouldn't request to see it, put in some trust. So you will get a mediocre letter, and that is fine, and it sounds like she will comment positively for you so no worries, though there won't be any anecdotes, i think your other 2 letters will keep your app strong.
Good luck
follow your instincts
 
Any other idea on the topics for inclusion in the questionnaire?
 
Thanks guys. I'll be sending in the letter in a few days (the weekend). Any last minute tips? I haven't written it yet, in a question by question format, but I'd appreciate any last minute help.
 
So it kinda looks more like a resume than anything else.

I need more Q&A so my professor has an idea to what to know about me and what to write about besides my grade, rank, and attendance.


Any other questions I can ask??
 
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