LORS help

[shl011]

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So I'm planning on applying for the next cycle (2011-2012), and I want to get a head start with the LORS.. I went on optomcas and saw that there are two parts to the LORs. Plus, it prefers that everything is sent electronically.. If this is the case, then how am I supposed to ask my professors to write me a LOR when I don't have exactly what they're supposed to fill out until the next cycle starts? Do I have to wait until July to ask them? I'm so confused.. please help 🙁

 

[iVision07]

Hi!

The two parts of the LORs in OptomCAS are:
Part 1 - Evaluation of Attributes
Part 2 - Letter of Recommendation

I think its a very good idea that you're asking for your LOR early, but since the next cycle of OptomCAS won't be available until summer, I would just get the OKs from the people you want to get a LOR and they can start drafting the letter for you. Then once the new cycle is open, you can enter your recommenders info and they can complete the LOR and Part I electronically, or you can print and mail as paper-format. I don't think Part I will be that difficult though. My optometrist also wrote a draft for my LOR, and she submitted my application within 1 hour once she received the OptomCAS link.

Good luck!

 

[shl011]

Ohh, okay, thanks! One more question. For part II (Letter of Recommendation), are there specific things they need to write about or can they just write whatever they feel is necessary?

 

[stix]

Ohh, okay, thanks! One more question. For part II (Letter of Recommendation), are there specific things they need to write about or can they just write whatever they feel is necessary?

whatever they want. They needed LORs at some point too so they should have an idea what attributes the school would be looking for. Prof is easier, they probably know you somewhat well, will look at your grade in their class, how you present yourself, personality etc. and make a recommendation. Also, how you get along with others and contribute to the "team" so to speak. The LOR you need from an Optometrist is different... since you will probably only be shadowing for a short term, he/she can't possibly know you that well in terms of work performance, unless you have worked for him/her which doesn't really matter anyways because it's not really about work performance here. He/she needs to give a character reference based on your past, and again, how you present yourself, greet their patients, level of common sense, etc. The LOR from an Optometrist should basically say that he/she thinks YOU would be a good fit for the profession based on his/her professional opinion as a doc in the biz.