LORs

[Skarl]

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I have been consistently attending office hours for all my classes this quarter because I intend on asking each of my current professors for a LOR--thankfully I am doing fairly well in all of my classes and have made favorable impressions on the professors thus far. My question is how I should go about tactfully asking for a LOR considering 1) the application cycle is coming up and 2) I have not taken the final for these classes yet. I am caught between three options:

1) Go into office hours as usual before taking the final, randomly ask during for a LOR in-person while briefly talking about why I am asking them in particular.
2) Schedule a separate appointment before taking the final--in the email state that the purpose of the appointment is to discuss a letter of recommendation while briefly highlighting why I am asking them in particular.
3) Same as 2) but after taking the final.

The main considerations are time (after final is good but also might not be enough time considering coming cycle) and email vs. in person.

Any thoughts from those who have done either? Adcoms/those further up in the process?

 

[ChymeofPassion]

I did #2 and it worked out fine.

 

[Doctor-S]

I have been consistently attending office hours for all my classes this quarter because I intend on asking each of my current professors for a LOR--thankfully I am doing fairly well in all of my classes and have made favorable impressions on the professors thus far. My question is how I should go about tactfully asking for a LOR considering 1) the application cycle is coming up and 2) I have not taken the final for these classes yet. I am caught between three options:

1) Go into office hours as usual before taking the final, randomly ask during for a LOR in-person while briefly talking about why I am asking them in particular.
2) Schedule a separate appointment before taking the final--in the email state that the purpose of the appointment is to discuss a letter of recommendation while briefly highlighting why I am asking them in particular.
3) Same as 2) but after taking the final.

The main considerations are time (after final is good but also might not be enough time considering coming cycle) and email vs. in person.

Any thoughts from those who have done either? Adcoms/those further up in the process?

Suggest No. 3 (after knowing final grade in class and final grade should be competitive).

 

[Rachapkis]

I would schedule an appointment to speak to your professors as early as possible. LORs often take longer than expected. I would ask each of them if they would feel comfortable writing you a strong recommendation. If the answer in the affirmative, I would provide each of them with a copy of your personal statement, your resume, and talking points that they can use if they so choose. Good luck.

 

[subdermallight]

I think you are overestimating the importance of early timing. I’m assuming your class ends in early May? Before letters are looked at, you would have needed to not only submit your primary but also your secondary. If you submit absolute earlierest on June 1st, then get verified in 2 weeks, then write your secondary, you’re looking at end of June or beginning of July for when letters are needed and that’s like the absolute earliest. May to July is plenty time to write a letter (usually). I suggest taking notes on key things you’d like to be included and them some of those experiences to make writing the letter easier on them (refer to AAMC letter writing guide for relevant topics).

So I say, continue to develop a relationship and try to get the highest grade in the class on the final so they can mention that in the letter.

Let them know you are applying to Med school during office hours and maybe even let them know you may ask them about a letter at the end of the semester. Just a little heads up, gives them the option to say “oh well let’s get started” or “oh ok yes let’s talk then”.

Officially asking before is kind of awkward because they don’t know your grade yet.

 

[YungMufti]

Let them know you are applying to Med school during office hours and maybe even let them know you may ask them about a letter at the end of the semester. Just a little heads up, gives them the option to say “oh well let’s get started” or “oh ok yes let’s talk then”.

Officially asking before is kind of awkward because they don’t know your grade yet.

I would second this advice. Not to be cynical but since you've been consistently at office hours your professors probably won't be at all surprised if and when you ask for a letter.

Also, waiting for your final grade will not only make the letter-writing easier for the professors, this will (hopefully) translate into a better letter for you. So, waiting for the letter to actually be written is a win-win, but making your intent known early is useful both for the purposes of clarity and honesty, and to avoid being placed at the end of a long queue of students who may ask your professors for letters after the final.

 

[OchemOficionado]

I’m going to be the odd ball and say go with number 1. The letter should be less about the actual grade you earn in their course and more about your skills, aptitude and whatever part of your story that you’ve shared with them in office hours that makes them believe in you (make sure you give them your CV and PS if they say yes).

Also, in my experience, it can take a while for professors to complete the LOR, especially when they’re writing it from scratch. I say give them a couple months notice. Also, don’t forget to ask if they believe they can write you a strong letter. If they are unsure or say no then move on.

 

[candbgirl]

I’m going to be the odd ball and say go with number 1. The letter should be less about the actual grade you earn in their course and more about your skills, aptitude and whatever part of your story that you’ve shared with them in office hours that makes them believe in you (make sure you give them your CV and PS if they say yes).

Also, in my experience, it can take a while for professors to complete the LOR, especially when they’re writing it from scratch. I say give them a couple months notice. Also, don’t forget to ask if they believe they can write you a strong letter. If they are unsure or say no then move on.

This. And remember at the end of the academic year some( many,most) professors leave the area for a month or two and your letter might be further delayed. The sooner you ask the sooner you'll Know if they are viable writers, if you have to find someone else and when they want your info to write the letter.

 

[differentiating]

I’d definitely recommend asking sooner rather than later - some professors may finish their letter within the week, but others can and will take months. You don’t need the additional stress of worrying over when letters will be written when applying, so ask now so writers have plenty of time.

Be sure to offer copies of your CV, personal statement, and anything else they may find helpful when writing a letter.

 

[gracesalt]

I have been consistently attending office hours for all my classes this quarter because I intend on asking each of my current professors for a LOR--thankfully I am doing fairly well in all of my classes and have made favorable impressions on the professors thus far. My question is how I should go about tactfully asking for a LOR considering 1) the application cycle is coming up and 2) I have not taken the final for these classes yet. I am caught between three options:

1) Go into office hours as usual before taking the final, randomly ask during for a LOR in-person while briefly talking about why I am asking them in particular.
2) Schedule a separate appointment before taking the final--in the email state that the purpose of the appointment is to discuss a letter of recommendation while briefly highlighting why I am asking them in particular.
3) Same as 2) but after taking the final.

The main considerations are time (after final is good but also might not be enough time considering coming cycle) and email vs. in person.

Any thoughts from those who have done either? Adcoms/those further up in the process?

I did 1 after the exam. Worked well for me.

 

[Skarl]

Hi everyone; thank you for sharing your thoughts and best judgements. After considering everyone's input here is my action plan--do let me know if this sounds good:

I will send an email a week before the final detailing my enjoyment of the class and how it has contributed to my career choice to broach the subject of scheduling a meeting to discuss a LOR. I will phrase this carefully, emphasizing that 1) my grade in the class is certainly to be determined after the final and 2) I am only sending an email in case the professor is difficult to locate later and to give them ample time to write the letter by communicating my intentions early. I will let the professor decide whether they want to meet after office hours (before the final) or early next quarter (which starts April 2), figuratively putting the ball in their court.

I certainly believe an email is more tactful as things may potentially interrupt if I randomly drop in their office. I also want to broach the subject early so that I am still "fresh" in their memory--I also do not anticipate the final significantly impacting my final course grade.

 

[lalalallala]

Out of curiosity why are you asking all 4 of this semester's professors? What about work or volunteering LORs? I just want to be sure you are thinking about what individual piece of support each letter will bring. A science LOR may show your ability to problem solve/handle difficult science material, while a volunteering LOR may describe your skill with interacting with those who differ from you or something. You may want to think about how different these 4 professor's letters are going to be.

 

[lalalallala]

I doubt ADCOMs will pay too much attention, but also it may make you look unprepared if 4 of your letters of rec are from classes this spring. I just think spacing things out a little bit more makes it seem like you didn't wait until the last minute to think about your app but like I said ADCOMs are probably going fast and won't be thinking all that through

 

[965978]

Suggest No. 3 (after knowing final grade in class and final grade should be competitive).

I would also like to mention that the LOR doesn't need to be written until the end of June, so if final grades are submitted by either the end of this month or early next month, then that still gives OP's letter writers 2 months to write their letters.

 

[lalalallala]

I would also like to mention that the LOR doesn't need to be written until the end of June, so if final grades are submitted by either the end of this month or early next month, then that still gives OP's letter writers 2 months to write their letters.

It depends. Some schools do committee letters so the letter have to be in earlier. If you are submitting individual letters then I would recommend telling your letter writer an earlier deadline so you have some room to be flexible

 

[965978]

It depends. Some schools do committee letters so the letter have to be in earlier. If you are submitting individual letters then I would recommend telling your letter writer an earlier deadline so you have some room to be flexible

If OP is sending individual letters, then a 2 month writing period is fine.

 

[candbgirl]

OP does your school have a committee letter?

 

[lalalallala]

If OP is sending individual letters, then a 2 month writing period is fine.

I’m just saying more time is better than less time. Things don’t always go smoothly and unfortunately some letter writers flake or have to be hunted down

 

[965978]

I’m just saying more time is better than less time. Things don’t always go smoothly and unfortunately some letter writers flake or have to be hunted down

True, but it’s unreasonable to ask for an LOR without finishing the class.

 

[Skarl]

OP does your school have a committee letter?

No my school does not have a committee service; these would be individual letters.

To address some points brought up by other replies:

- Each letter will contribute a unique flavor as I have specific "themes" that I would like each letter writer to portray--this will be conveyed in my request; admittedly the timing was not ideal (asking for all 4 this quarter) but it worked out. I will also be submitting a research letter, and an MD letter from someone I worked closely with for years.
- I certainly do not intend to frame it as asking for a LOR without finishing the class, but rather broaching the subject early for logistics and transparency.

 

[TelemarketingEnigma]

True, but it’s unreasonable to ask for an LOR without finishing the class.

eh, it depends I think. I've used letters from professors with whom I was actively taking a class, but knew I had a good enough relationship with that they could write a supportive letter. Even if you don't have a final grade, often they have enough of a sense from your previous assignments/exams to know how well you are doing in the class. Just depends how close your relationship is. I don't think asking early is unreasonable, as long as you recognize that the professor may choose not to actually write the letter until they have a grade in hand. It's also at your own risk - you could always end up bombing the final after you ask for the letter.