More LOR Worries

[kernel]

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I did a quick search and found that a lot of applicants have been worried about who writes their LORs and how long they've known the letter writers. I'm hoping someone can rekindle the fire under my hiney about figuring this out and give me some suggestions!

I'm really excited about the DVM who will be writing my LOR, but that's about as good as it gets. I transfered last year 🙂scared: right before my senior year, yikes!) from a massive public university. I wasn't being smart and didn't develop any relationships with my professors. This year, at my knew school, I took a smaller bio class where I approached the professor often - I felt he gained a good sense of who I was and how I work. At the end of the term, I asked him for an LOR and he said that he only writes 'em for students that have done research for him! Understandable, but now I'm panicking.

There is one other professor that I will probably ask... but she's my French advisor. Is that cool? I mean, will adcoms see right through it because CLEARLY my science GPA is laughable compared to my French (other major) GPA?

As for a third LOR, I'm completely lost. These are the only people I can think of, and I know there just ain't somethin' right about using them as LOR's:

- family friend who used to babysit me and my sibs as kids. She essentially watched me grow up and I volunteered with/under her at homeless shelters and church events.
- therapist. I know the alarms are going off in your heads right now, but wait-
I started seeing her when I was 13 after she had spent a few months seeing my brother. My brother has Asperger's syndrome and will have a HUGE role in my PS. She watched me overcome the mental struggle revolved around growing up with him. In my later teen years, my therapist became more of a like a second mother to me. She even came to my soccer games 😛
- close friend of my mother's who used to be a vet and owned a well known practice until she developed MS. i've met with her for coffee and we've talked for a total of around 7 hours *straight* about life and veterinary related stuff. Doesn't sound all that impressive, I know, but she would write one heck of an LOR.

I'm trying to weasel my way into volunteering at a ranch this summer. I've already somehow managed to land some time bottle feeding baby goats (well okay, only because none of the employees wanted to get up at midnight and do it). I'm hoping for an LOR oppt'y here too.


THANKS AGAIN GUYS. Most of the time, I feel 80% better after simply coming here to rant about how unprepared and nervous I am!

 

[Foxhunter]

If you did well in the French class and had a good relationship with that professor, definitely ask her for one. I had an English professor who I only took one class with write one of mine (I did a similar thing, panicked realizing I only had 2 LORs and needed a third- so about a week into classes I asked him if he would mind writing me a letter mid-way through the semester- this tactic is a gamble though, you bet I busted my a** in that class once he agreed)

 

[variegata]

Did you do any labs at your old school where you were around the professor a lot? My science faculty letter came from someone like that - I didn't go to office hours, but I did well in a difficult class, and he at least knew my face since I was in lab class 10 hours a week.

For Tufts, they were adamant about having 2 academic letters, so I used my Italian professor as the second since I didn't have a regular adviser at my school (saw someone different every time I went in). She knew me well since it was a small class, I did well in the class, and I did end up getting into Tufts, so it must not have bothered them. I did not use her as a VMCAS letter though, so I can't give you any feedback there.

 

[kernel]

If you did well in the French class and had a good relationship with that professor, definitely ask her for one. I had an English professor who I only took one class with write one of mine (I did a similar thing, panicked realizing I only had 2 LORs and needed a third- so about a week into classes I asked him if he would mind writing me a letter mid-way through the semester- this tactic is a gamble though, you bet I busted my a** in that class once he agreed)

I did very well in her class. I know her fairly well, and plan to meet with her a few times this summer already. Thanks for the advice, I think I'll go for it!

 

[kernel]

Did you do any labs at your old school where you were around the professor a lot? My science faculty letter came from someone like that - I didn't go to office hours, but I did well in a difficult class, and he at least knew my face since I was in lab class 10 hours a week.

For Tufts, they were adamant about having 2 academic letters, so I used my Italian professor as the second since I didn't have a regular adviser at my school (saw someone different every time I went in). She knew me well since it was a small class, I did well in the class, and I did end up getting into Tufts, so it must not have bothered them. I did not use her as a VMCAS letter though, so I can't give you any feedback there.

Unfortunately, no labs like that. I actually haven't taken a lab since sophomore year and even then, the professors were never present.

 

[OH Bunny Girl]

Where are you planning on applying? I think Ohio State requires two with a DVM.

 

[kernel]

Where are you planning on applying? I think Ohio State requires two with a DVM.

Just Oregon. They require three, only one of which needs to be from a DVM.

 

[LetItSnow]

I did a quick search and found that a lot of applicants have been worried about who writes their LORs and how long they've known the letter writers. I'm hoping someone can rekindle the fire under my hiney about figuring this out and give me some suggestions!

Huh. Tricky.

My suggestion is this: Make sure that whatever you do over the summer, you build a relationship or two with people who are good letter writers. People don't have to know you a LONG time.

For example, I just offered to put in a good word with someone graduating from their vet tech program at a clinic where I'm well known - even though I've only worked with the tech a handful of times it's clear she has an excellent demeanor, is competent technically, and is a mature individual. That's all I need to make a recommendation.

You've got the vet LOR, you've got the professor LOR (I wouldn't worry about it being from a French teacher as long as she knows you well and will write an awesome LOR) .... just spend your summer getting an LOR from someone who can attest to what an awesome candidate you'd be and then go with it. If you can snag two over the summer, submit all four (or replace the French teacher). Ideally, another vet LOR would be best.