In order to maintain your connections with your potential recommenders or LOR writers, do you do anything special like sending them simple greetings once in a while or "Merry Christmas" emails on holidays?
If you are in a large, impersonal uni. (like mine), you should definitely drop in at office hours to get in some nice one-on-one professor flirting time! They love it, and you'll learn something out of it--it even might be entertaining.
What if the person is away or left for good and you only know the person's email address? I actually know someone like this and I feel guilty for taking advantage of her for emailing her only for LOR's or reference for award or job applications once in a while.
If you were on good terms before you leave then it isn't an issue. Just lay it out in an email or phone call if you get their number. "Hey Prof. Whoever, I know this is kind of out of the blue but I am applying to medical school and was wondering if you could write me a strong letter of recommendation. I will send a resume, my personal statement, and whatever information you would like. It would be greatly appreciated." The worse thing that happens is that they say no.
I actually did that about three times already and she gladly agreed to be my reference or write me a LOR every time I asked her. But I feel guilty for keep taking advantage of her when it's been 4 years since we last saw each other. I was on good terms with her but we weren't horribly close. Should I be guilty?
Wouldn't you be a little annoyed if someone you last saw 4 years ago emailed you occasionally just to ask you if you could be his or her reference or if you could write a LOR. I would be disturbed unless I was very close to that person, because the person is asking you for a big favor.
hey prof g it's fakesmile how's it going? how are the kids? do you like texas? i'm doing well. blah blah blah fishcakes. also, app this that or the other thing is coming up- would you mind writing a rec when the time comes? thanks, love, cookies, fakesmile
There it is... I would much rather you call me out of the blue and ask rather than blatantly faking interest just to get a letter, IMO the teacher would rather not have to deal with the bull**** she most likely endures day in and day out. I know I wouldn't.
If you haven't talked to them in a while, send them a card, then the next time you talk to them is to ask for an LOR... well... don't do that
Most profs see letter writing as part of their job, no reason to feel guillty. Hell, I had never spoken to one of my letter writers before asking them for a LOR and I didn't feel guilty about it.
