LOR's without sucking up

[greytmedic]

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Here is my problem. I go to a school where all science classes are huge (100-200) students. I already have a non-science lor and at least two other character/employer lor(one from the PMD of my EMS system and the other from my Firechief), but I still need to get at least two science faculty recommendations, my school also does not have a pre-med commitee. I work full time and go to school full time so I really have never gotten into research. I also do well in all of my classes so I really don't have the need to seek out and ask questions during office hours. I do go to the prof's office hours occasionally when I do have a question or two, but definately not every week. I have tried going to office hours and asking questions when I really did not need to ask them, but that just made me feel like I was kissing a** just to get letters. So, does anyone have any insight how to ask for letters of recommendations without turning into some needy brown-noser?

 

[browniegirl86]

Here is my problem. I go to a school where all science classes are huge (100-200) students. I already have a non-science lor and at least two other character/employer lor(one from the PMD of my EMS system and the other from my Firechief), but I still need to get at least two science faculty recommendations, my school also does not have a pre-med commitee. I work full time and go to school full time so I really have never gotten into research. I also do well in all of my classes so I really don't have the need to seek out and ask questions during office hours. I do go to the prof's office hours occasionally when I do have a question or two, but definately not every week. I have tried going to office hours and asking questions when I really did not need to ask them, but that just made me feel like I was kissing a** just to get letters. So, does anyone have any insight how to ask for letters of recommendations without turning into some needy brown-noser?

Just ask. I ended up getting a letter (for scholarships) from my immunology prof, who I didn't know that well but always really liked. Suggest a meeting where the two of you can just talk. You can talk about your goals and answer any questions the prof may have about what you want stressed in your letters. You can also just get to know each other as people. Having a friendly relationship with you will help the prof to write you a better letter. Also, give them a folder containing all the important information pertinent to your application: statement (even if it's just a rough draft), CV, list of schools, goals, MCAT scores, and one prof requested a paragraph each for three qualities that I liked in myself.

I think you'll be surprised at how many profs will be ok with this. They will know you've done well in their classes, and will understand that you didn't need office hours.

Good luck!

 

[Law2Doc]

Here is my problem. I go to a school where all science classes are huge (100-200) students. I already have a non-science lor and at least two other character/employer lor(one from the PMD of my EMS system and the other from my Firechief), but I still need to get at least two science faculty recommendations, my school also does not have a pre-med commitee. I work full time and go to school full time so I really have never gotten into research. I also do well in all of my classes so I really don't have the need to seek out and ask questions during office hours. I do go to the prof's office hours occasionally when I do have a question or two, but definately not every week. I have tried going to office hours and asking questions when I really did not need to ask them, but that just made me feel like I was kissing a** just to get letters. So, does anyone have any insight how to ask for letters of recommendations without turning into some needy brown-noser?

This question comes up on SDN surprisingly often. The best LORs come from professors who actually know you beyond just your letter grade. That means getting a decent amount of face time. It isn't really "sucking up" because you are not asking them to do something they wouldn't do anyway (i.e. write a letter for a high scoring student), you are just making sure that when they do it, they will do it in a way that will carry some weight -- that they actually know who you are and think you have the right stuff for med school. There is no reason to be fake, or to feign interest in the subject, just find a way for them to know you from the rest of the class. Thus you needn't do the asking questions about coursework approach, though most premeds find that to be the easiest route -- they might be amenable to acting as a mentor or offering future career advice, or finding a summer research job, or talking about their alma mater, etc. if you ask right. But bottom line is that it's part of the game, and it doesn't stop here -- you will need references down the road for residency, future jobs, etc, for the rest of your career.