LORs - ask via email or phone?

[bluebird79]

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Say I haven't had contact with a prof for about 4 years and would like a LOR from him. Would it be better to email or call? I figure calling is more personal yet it's so easy to catch someone at a bad time. When emailing, it gives the prof some time to try to remember me/ things about me.

What do you think?

 

[e-spin]

I have been in that position being a non trad and all..so I understand the dilemma. My solution...drop an email with a blurb about how you are applying and would like talk to him about writing an LOR. Ask him to hit you back with an email about when is best to call or if he's rather you just email/fax him your info. If you are in close proximity I'd drop by in person....but that's just me.
Also, if it has been awhile since youve had contact with him be sure to have a resume and/or a short narrative of what you've been up to...of course you may have known this already 😀 Good Luck

 

[SolidGold]

I would set up an appointment via e-mail or phone to talk about the LOR. I would see the professor in person in order to give them an opportunity to learn about your reasons and motivations about a career in medicine. You want to give them a CV listing all the awards and activites that you have done and giving them a copy of your personal statement is a really good idea. All of my LOR writers requested a CV to start with but I think giving them my PS gave them more insight into why I wanted to go into medicine. The meeting could be a short interview. You want to make sure they understand that the LOR must be a strong personal one and not a generic one.

 

[elephino]

I'm in the same boat and here's what I decided to do:

I am going to prepare a nice packet of info including my resume, short personal statement, and request for LOR and mail it with directions as to where to send it etc. Then I plan on e-mailing the prof. a week or so later to assure the packet got to them and allow them to call me when it's convenient for them!

Good Luck.

 

[elephino]

I'm in the same boat and here's what I decided to do:

I am going to prepare a nice packet of info including my resume, short personal statement, and request for LOR and mail it with directions as to where to send it etc. Then I plan on e-mailing the prof. a week or so later to assure the packet got to them and allow them to call me when it's convenient for them!

Good Luck.

 

[stillpremed]

i agree with that - after all that good stuff like contacting, it would be best to talk to them in person. also, have you tried to talk to them in person? like their office hour? what i did was pop the prof an email and ask them when they would be available to talk about LOR? Then I brought all the info.... and asked the prof if he could write a strong letter.