LORs

[alekshura21]

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I am getting ready to apply this June and have a quick question about LORs. This past semester I was a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a physiology lab section. The course is taught by two professors. I was wondering if it's a good idea to get my 2 science LORs from these two professor that teach the same class. Or should I get one from one of the professors from physiology and find a different science professor for my second one.

Thanks in advance!

 

[amalgamgrillz]

I am getting ready to apply this June and have a quick question about LORs. This past semester I was a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a physiology lab section. The course is taught by two professors. I was wondering if it's a good idea to get my 2 science LORs from these two professor that teach the same class. Or should I get one from one of the professors from physiology and find a different science professor for my second one.

Thanks in advance!

I would say different professors. I think both professors would know you in the same capacity and say the same thing. A different professor would give another (positive) perspective about who you are as an applicant.

 

[dantemac]

I am going to disagree and say both. If you know them well enough, have them both address different things in their letters. Set up meetings with them and arrange the gist of what you want them to recommend you on. If you had one as your actual professor (like, you took the class, not TA'd it) have them reflect on your student ability. Have the other reflect on how great of a TA you were.

 

[dentalWorks]

I am getting ready to apply this June and have a quick question about LORs. This past semester I was a Teaching Assistant (TA) for a physiology lab section. The course is taught by two professors. I was wondering if it's a good idea to get my 2 science LORs from these two professor that teach the same class. Or should I get one from one of the professors from physiology and find a different science professor for my second one.

Thanks in advance!

Wait a minute, did these professors teach you?

Cause alot of schools are very specific about the LOR requirements. Like some will want 2 LORs from science instructors (bio / chem) where the professors TAUGHT you.

If they did not teach you, I doubt either letter is enough to be considered a science LOR

 

[alekshura21]

Yes first I took physiology during the fall semester and then started TAing the next semester.

I have gotten to know them very well and I believe they can write me strong recommendation letters. One of them even teaches physiology at the U of M dental school.

 

[dantemac]

Yeah if they taught you, ask both to write. Chances are they will write them together and make them pretty good. Just make sure you got an A in the class and you're a good TA!

 

[dentalWorks]

Yes first I took physiology during the fall semester and then started TAing the next semester.

I have gotten to know them very well and I believe they can write me strong recommendation letters. One of them even teaches physiology at the U of M dental school.

I see.

I don't know if I would get 2 LORs for 1 class. Although I would guess its okay? It might gonna look strange because LOR-writers usually put down the name of the class, so your going to have 2 LORs speak highly of you from the same class.

Call up a few dental schools which require 2 science LORs and see what they suggest.

 

[alekshura21]

Yeah if they taught you, ask both to write. Chances are they will write them together and make them pretty good. Just make sure you got an A in the class and you're a good TA!

Yeah well in order to be a TA you had to get an A, so i think i am good. 🙂 Thanks for the thoughts, just wanted to get an idea of what some of you think of this. I will check with the schools that I am applying to.

 

[Maygyver]

I would suggest getting only 1 from them. That way you have a little bit more breadth in your LoRs. If you are a good enough student to do well and TA, then I am sure you have another professor you know pretty well. If you don't, then get both of them to write letters, but I think it would be more advantageous to get one from a different course.