Need advice on asking for a LOR from a professor I had several years ago

[doctorme555]

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Would it be stupid to go to a science professor that I had 2 years ago and ask for a letter of recommendation if I only went to office hours once or twice when I had him? I was hoping to get LOR's from my science profs this semester and apply to med school this summer. I want to have some backups in case they say no, as I'm only taking 2 science classes. I would definitely give my old profs a resume, personal statement, transcript, etc., and talk with them about myself, but I'm wondering if this is enough for them to write a decent LOR or if I should not ask at all.

 

[LoneCoyote]

A Bio professor I had in the Fall of 1998 just agreed to write me a letter. I wouldn't say I knew her well. I did well in the class, went to office hour maybe once, and she bought some T-shirts from me for a crew fundraiser. What I did was I sent her an email reminding her of when I took the class and asked her if she would be comfortable writing me a strong rec. since it had been so long. She agreed to do it. I think what also helped is that I had decided to go in a biological sciences direction after getting a liberal arts degree. I don't think it can hurt to ask. And once they say yes you can send them all the stuff to write a good letter. Good luck.

 

[lola]

no-- not stupid at all. i went to a chem prof i had 9 years ago (1993-1994) and asked for a letter even though i had never gone to her office hours or anything. it was a small class and i was at the top of the class (and she had tried to set me up with her nephew!), so she knew who i was even though she didn't know me well. i've said this before, and i doubt everyone agrees with me, but i don't think all your profs must know you well. as long as some do and your ec people do, i think you're fine. just make sure the prof remembers who you are, that you did well in their class, and that they say they'll write you a strong letter.