LOR Questions

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xcvbvcfgh said:
Hello.

I will be applying to pharmacy schools next year. I would like someone to post below a crafty, well thought out LOR written by a pharmacist. This way my pharmacist can use it as a guideline. If you prefer, you can send it to me as an attachment. My email is: [email protected]. Another option is to PM the letter to me.

Thanks.
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Sure, you want me to throw in my personal statement, essays and supplemental essays for all the schools I applied to as well?

Maybe it would be a good idea to sit down with this pharmacist and go over the idea of the letter, why would you make a good pharmacist. If they can't write one still then you would THINK that you would change your mind about using tat pharmacist to write such an important letter.

Sorry but no go.
 
xcvbvcfgh said:
Hello.

I will be applying to pharmacy schools next year. I would like someone to post below a crafty, well thought out LOR written by a pharmacist. This way my pharmacist can use it as a guideline. If you prefer, you can send it to me as an attachment. My email is: [email protected]. Another option is to PM the letter to me.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Would you like me to FedEx you my PharmCAS statement & my supplemental essays (all California schools + some ones on the east coast) as well? Just gimme your mailing address.
 
have some of you guys ever thought about just answering the question, just plainly saying no and explaining why, or just ignoring the post all together? im not even on the other end and i feel bad at how smart some of you get with other posters. sometimes it looks im reading a contest as who can come up with the most sarcastic reply.
 
leoproductionz said:
have some of you guys ever thought about just answering the question, just plainly saying no and explaining why, or just ignoring the post all together? im not even on the other end and i feel bad at how smart some of you get with other posters. sometimes it looks im reading a contest as who can come up with the most sarcastic reply.
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They are doing this because many of us suspect that the person is up to no good. They may not be, but the request is unusual.
 
xcvbvcfgh said:
Hello.

I will be applying to pharmacy schools next year. I would like someone to post below a crafty, well thought out LOR written by a pharmacist. This way my pharmacist can use it as a guideline. If you prefer, you can send it to me as an attachment. My email is: [email protected]. Another option is to PM the letter to me.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


Technically, your pharmacist should be able to craft a well-thought out LOR without any guidelines. Each recommendation letter written by a pharmacist is different from one to the next because of the variations in accomplishments, responsibilities, personalities, and work requirements for each candidate. Therefore, it is impossible to actually duplicate a letter mirroring another letter and have it accomplish the same effect.

Generally, guidelines for excellent letters include:

1) Anecdotal confirmation: using a short explanation with an example of one's skill/personality trait

2) Use of unique and positive adjectives: Using "wonderful" vs. "good" and "captivating" vs. "interesting"

3) Go beyond the scope of the volunteer/work position and describe your capabilities and capacity as a future pharmacist and human being.

There's probably more, but I'm at work, so these are just some things to highlight. Remember, the better prepared you are for your LOR, the better LOR you'll receive.
 
hahah u'll be suprised. I know one pharmacist graduated from USC recently and when I asked for LOR she said "I don't know how to write one, can you give me a sampler?" I ended up not getting any from her. But something like that did really shock me. The thing is she's kind of cocky about her title and very proud of her accomplishment too, how funny!
 
fatevsdestiny said:
hahah u'll be suprised. I know one pharmacist graduated from USC recently and when I asked for LOR she said "I don't know how to write one, can you give me a sampler?" I ended up not getting any from her. But something like that did really shock me. The thing is she's kind of cocky about her title and very proud of her accomplishment too, how funny!
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Hmmmmmm. Sounds to me like she was blowing you off. She really didn't want to write one for you but didn't want to say that, so this is how she responded.

Not sure how her not wanting to write a LOR for you has any bearing on her personal title or accomplishments, since there's nothing in any of the requirements about any obligations to write LORs for people you'd rather ot write them for.
 
Yea, I know people like that exist (unfortunately). But you should be able to get a feel for how well a person can write a LOR for you before asking them.
 
This guy is just a leech. He's trying to profit from SDN.

xcvbvcfgh said:
Hello,

I am looking for people to study with for the PCAT. I want to study with those who have scored at least a 90th percentile on the PCAT within the last two years. If this is you, I am offering $50 per hour consultation over the phone. Please email me if you are interested. I will then email you my telephone number so we can begin chatting. I will be taking my 2nd PCAT exam in June of this year.

The sections for which I am good at are the chemistry/math. If anyone needs help with these sections, let me know. Email me. I am the worst at verbal/reading. Thank you.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Don't they have custom LORs in PharmCas and even on supplementals now?
 
leoproductionz said:
have some of you guys ever thought about just answering the question, just plainly saying no and explaining why, or just ignoring the post all together? im not even on the other end and i feel bad at how smart some of you get with other posters. sometimes it looks im reading a contest as who can come up with the most sarcastic reply.
Click to expand...

Did I win?
 
eelo said:
Well, let's have a show of hands. Everyone who thinks Idesiretosling's post was the most sarcastic, raise your hand.

<eelo raises hand>

There's one!
Click to expand...

He has a long way to go before he can master the level of sarcasm which I would deem worthy. But he's doing well...on his way. I felt his post was the most appropriate of all.

If the pharmacist writing a LOR needs a template of sort...he/she shouldn't be writing one.
 
Aren't most LOR confidential in terms of recommender is not suppose to show it to anyone?

So unless you write the LOR for ur recommender or ur recommender prints u a copy, you really shouldn't have it.
 
steveysmith54 said:
Aren't most LOR confidential in terms of recommender is not suppose to show it to anyone?

So unless you write the LOR for ur recommender or ur recommender prints u a copy, you really shouldn't have it.
Click to expand...

That is a good point. We're not supposed to see the letters. Yeah, the person asking is definitely up to no good.
 
I had a distinguished Professor at a COP write a Letter for me whom I'd been doing some volunteer work with. He told me to write the letter, then he would edit it to his liking. Turns out he didn't use any portion of the letter because when he was done with PharmCAS he sent me his login and password and I saw what he said. It was pretty funny that he made me do all that then didn't use it.

Actually, all the people who did PharmCAS letters for me let me read what they wrote before they submitted them, so I don't think it's a big deal to not get to read them.
 
hmmm thats funny i asked kinda same thing(even more personal) and i didn't mean it in a wrong way... but it turned out to be pretty bad...i understand y people were like jumping all over me it does sound really very bad after reading this thread....heheh
anyways for the op there was a post abt what kinda stufff u should have inculded in the letter u can search that and include those things in it....

i guess letters are SUPPOSE to be confidential and even we are not suppose to read them....but two of my references told me everything they wrote for me....and one sent me the whole reference sheet..even though i didnt ask for it.....🙂
 
I just started working at a pharmacy last week. They're only scheduling me a couple of days a week there. Unfortunately, I'm in need of a LOR from a "health-care professional" (which basically means they want one from a pharmacist) and I am applying early decision.

I've been getting along very well with the pharmacists there. How long do you guys think I should wait before I ask for a letter?
 
Wan2BPharmD said:
I just started working at a pharmacy last week. They're only scheduling me a couple of days a week there. Unfortunately, I'm in need of a LOR from a "health-care professional" (which basically means they want one from a pharmacist) and I am applying early decision.

I've been getting along very well with the pharmacists there. How long do you guys think I should wait before I ask for a letter?
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of course it would depend on the relationship you build. i would feel uncomfortable with anything less than 1 month. but on average probably more like 2-3 months?
 
i'm in the same situation...i have november deadlines for some schools. I will probably ask "just in time" meaning...late october and give the pharmacist 4-5 weeks or so to complete the letter. that gives me a full 2-3 months of having worked there. I will try to push the window to give them 6-7 weeks to complete it, but....we'll see 😀
 
Wan2BPharmD said:
I just started working at a pharmacy last week. They're only scheduling me a couple of days a week there. Unfortunately, I'm in need of a LOR from a "health-care professional" (which basically means they want one from a pharmacist) and I am applying early decision.

I've been getting along very well with the pharmacists there. How long do you guys think I should wait before I ask for a letter?
Click to expand...

I would ask at the end of the month and keep building that good relationship with the pharmacists! Time is limited since you're applying early decision.
 
which schools require a letter from a pharmacist? i only know of UOP and Pacific U
 
VCU requires a letter from a "health care professional." When I asked about it, they basically said go to a pharmacist. I could to a doctor, dentist, etc...but a pharmacist's recommendation weighs more.
 
Wan2BPharmD said:
VCU requires a letter from a "health care professional." When I asked about it, they basically said go to a pharmacist. I could to a doctor, dentist, etc...but a pharmacist's recommendation weighs more.
Click to expand...

I hope you've told them that you're going to need a LOR. If you haven't told them yet, you should do that rght away, and then figure out the whos and whens. You've got until the end of this month, right? If they know up front that you would like a LOR, they'll probably gear your training toward that.
 
If I were you, I'd find a way to ask right away. Based on my experience, the sooner the better because none of the references I asked for LORs completed them in the time frame that I gave them. (I told them the due date was much earlier than I needed because I knew that my references were extremely busy.)

I know asking is the hard part. I'd drop it into the conversation. For instance, when my references asked me how my weekend was or what my plans are for the summer, I told them that I was working on the application process. That started the conversation for me which led me to eventually ask them for the LOR. I hope this helps!
 
^^ err, i totally disagree. how do they gear your training for a LOR? An employee's training/experiences are geared toward what is needed to be done in the pharmacy, not necessarily the employees specific personal needs. Also, I don't think it's very professional in your first week of working to go, "Oh...I'm new, can I get a letter of recommendation?"

At the very least, give them a few weeks to get to know you. A lot of forms straight up say, "In what capacity/How long have you known the applicant?"


Plus...as a new employee, you're going to make mistakes/and not be "100%"...do you want your pharmacist writing your LOR with all that in mind?
 
Okay so I have a bit of a dilemma, I asked one of my professors to write me a letter of reference and I went to him several times in person getting the response that he still hasn't started, but will write the letter, and that he will contact me soon when it is finished. It has been about 2 weeks since he had promised to finish the LOR and I have continued to email him every week (I used to email every 2 weeks, but now i'm a bit more anxious) to remind him, but he is not responding to any of the emails. Bare in mind that I asked him to write the letter before application started on June 1st, so it has been about three months.

I was wondering if I should just try and get a letter of reference from one of the other pharmacists I work with at the hospital instead. I have already sent in a LOR from pharmacists and professor and wanted to send in another one from my professor. Since he is not responding and it will be very difficult to contact a science professor during session B summer school to write me one, I was wondering if its going to look bad to have 2 pharmacist LORs from the same hospital where I volunteer. Would it be bad to ask one from pharmacist anyway? Have him fill out a paper pharmcas LOR. Should i send in 4 in case my professor does end up writing the LOR?

The other question is if I should even mention christian clubs as an extracurricular activity or is it considered a turn off by non religious admissions offices? I plan to include them for a religious school like LLU, but was wondering if I should add it to my pharmcas application for other cali schools. My application is finished (besides that one LOR) and I added them, but while waiting for my LOR to send my application I was wondering if it might not look good and hurt my application.
 
I think you should keep working on getting a LOR from a professor. I don't know what schools you're applying to, but some require 2 letters from someone who knows you in an academic setting. I also think you should put down the Christian club. I put in my application the church mission I went on with a church I attend while at school.
 
I think you should ask someone else for a LOR. California schools only require one LOR from a faculty member.
 
It sounds like your professor is too busy to write one or maybe doesn't want to. It might be better to get another pharmacist to write one who is really willing to and will write an excellent LOR then a professor who is reluctant or doesn't have the time to write one.

If you're going through pharmCAS, just have three LOR's set up and submit it. You don't have to wait for all the LOR's to be received.

I would add any extracurricular activities you have done, even if they are religious.
 
This is really annoying.. I tried contacting other professors to write me a letter real quick, but either they no longer teach at the school, on vacation so aren't replying, or are unable to start on it until late september, so i'll be close to deadline if they don't finish it quickly. It is so hard contacting a professor during the summer, especially since summer school teachers are not the same as those that teach regular quarters.

I wonder if there is a way to warn other students to not ask the professor for LOR either or a way to find out if other students were in the same situation. The professor reviews say nothing about LORs, only about how good/bad/hard/easy/etc the class he taught were. He said he'll write me the letter and have received the pharmcas form, but doesn't respond to my emails at all and is continuing to delay the process. I'm now thinking about just applying next year instead, because my chances of getting in are going down with the application dragged out and applying to rolling admission schools.
 
lee0539 said:
This is really annoying.. I tried contacting other professors to write me a letter real quick, but either they no longer teach at the school, on vacation so aren't replying, or are unable to start on it until late september, so i'll be close to deadline if they don't finish it quickly. It is so hard contacting a professor during the summer, especially since summer school teachers are not the same as those that teach regular quarters.

I wonder if there is a way to warn other students to not ask the professor for LOR either or a way to find out if other students were in the same situation. The professor reviews say nothing about LORs, only about how good/bad/hard/easy/etc the class he taught were. He said he'll write me the letter and have received the pharmcas form, but doesn't respond to my emails at all and is continuing to delay the process. I'm now thinking about just applying next year instead, because my chances of getting in are going down with the application dragged out and applying to rolling admission schools.
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i know who you feel. I asked my professor WAY back in April and she just now submitted my letter today after i bugged her to death through email for the past two weeks (now im worried about the content of the letter). you can try applying to schools that only need 2 letters instead of the ones that require 3 letters.
 
ok i dont want to look like an idiot but i asked three professors yesterday to write me a letter of recommendation and i checked next to them on pharmcas and it said completed on both of them. does that mean they actually wrote something for me or does it mean that the e-mail has been sent since that was fast as hell. both profs know me. i just want to thank them so i dont want to go to their office and be like thank you for writing and it turns out its just a glitch. am i just lucky or did they write a 1-2 sentence letter
 
Yep, there are done! You super lucky not to have to worry about it now. Maybe you just picked people who like getting things done fast.
 
Yup, completed means they're done!
 
Well, if they know you, they might have just done them right away. It's summer, they are less busy... I like to do things the same day, because otherwise I forget. 🙄 In my experience, people tend to procrastinate mostly with unpleasant/hard things, so it must be a good sign. They must know you and like you (or really, really hate your guts - if they were in doubt what to write, they would have waited to get their thoughts together). 🙂
 
Do any of you know of any schools that DO NOT require LOR's. I was kinda the "class clown" and teachers didn't like me much because i screwed around a lot but always seemed to "ace" their classes. The two i know of are ACP and USN. Thanks guys!
 
Drake dosent look at any lORs, but they only accept around 10 transfer students.
 
hehee..never mind the question pls. I figured it oout already. Anyway, I'm wondering who's going to write me an LOR too.. 🙁
 
NDSU didn't ask for LOR's last year. But, I doubt you'd be crazy enough to want to move to ND.
 
I've been out of college for some time now and only this fall semester have I started to retake some pre-req classes to make up for a low GPA. I was wondering if it's acceptable to get a LOR from two of my current professors right now despite only having been in their class for less than 2 months. I really doubt any of my old prof's would remember me at all and I have A's so far in my current classes so I'd like to get LORs from these profs. Just wondering if getting a LOR from a current professor is unusual or anything.
 
subzerox2 said:
I've been out of college for some time now and only this fall semester have I started to retake some pre-req classes to make up for a low GPA. I was wondering if it's acceptable to get a LOR from two of my current professors right now despite only having been in their class for less than 2 months. I really doubt any of my old prof's would remember me at all and I have A's so far in my current classes so I'd like to get LORs from these profs. Just wondering if getting a LOR from a current professor is unusual or anything.
Click to expand...

it is better to get from profs that know you well...like if you have done any research with a prof or something like that. in your case i think it is ok...i would of ask them if they able to write strong LOR though.
 
I had the same problem. I graduated 10 years ago and during undergrad developed a good relationship with my microbiology professor. But it was 10 yrs ago, he retired and would not remember me after so many years and so many students. This summer i took A&P I and after the first test, i met w/ the professor, explained my situation, and she agreed to write a recommendation. It must have been strong enough b/c i got into VCU and have been invited for 2 other interviews thus far. My wife works in academia and constantly reminded me that most professors view the recommendation as a part of their job- i felt a bit awkward asking for mine after such a short time in her class. But my wife was right and the professor did not hesitate to do it. Granted you have to do well in the class, take some time to talk with them, and supply them with as much personal and professional information as possible. Oddly enough, the professor's recommendation usually turns out to be the best b/c they know how to write strong letters- i'm sure most write several a year. When my wife applied to grad school her best letters came from the professors who did not know her as well.

Keep in mind some professors may not work this way, but most will understand what you are trying to do and how competitive it is. They are usually quite happy to help a student w/ the motivation and ability to enter a doctorate program.
 
Professors are very familiar with letters of recommendation and usually understand that it can be a tricky thing to find. I did not have any professor that knew me very well so I chose professors whose classes I did very well in. Tell the professor your situation and your goals, give them some background information on you, maybe copy of your Personal Statement and ask them if they will write you a letter. If you give thing background info, goals and personal statement, you are giving them a chance to write a stronger and more personal letter.

I had a couple professors that announced that since the class was so big he would only consider writing letters for people who ended up with an A in the course or came to office hours and he had time to get to know the student.
 
That was really helpful advice, I was feeling awkward about asking but I went ahead and asked one of my professors about it and surprisingly he said he'd be glad to write one for me. I just need to ask my other professor about it, still feels a bit awkward...I should probably think of the background info about me that I could give her since I don't think I know her as well as my other prof.
 
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