Need one more science LOR

[system7]

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hello all, a professor who i thought for sure would write a letter for me pretty much turned me down after i went and talked to him in person. Then i tried emailing two other professors and they haven't responded yet and it's been two or three days already. Two other professors I could've asked either retired or are not teaching this semester. My only other options are to ask a organic chem professor and another bio professor, but i got a B+ in both of those classes so i'm not sure what they would write if they don't know me. The reason i'm even in this situation right now is because i thought a letter from a math class would count as a science LOR but after I called the schools i'm applying to, all of them said they only consider Chemistry, Biology, or Physics courses for science LORs. What do you think i should do at this point? I'm freaking out right now and can't even go to sleep.

 

[ZzZzSleepyhead]

Hey System7!
LORs suck and getting them can be very stressful. I'm in the process of getting mines ready as well. I think the best course of action for you would be to go and try to catch the 2 profs you that you emailed @ their offices. Most profs are jam packed with so much stuff that an email can easily get lost in the mix. Also if you ask a professor in person, the chances of getting shot down are drastically reduced. If both refuse you in person, then your only alternative is to approach the B+ profs and plead your case. Do whatever it takes to secure those LORs!! Hope everything turns out well!

hello all, a professor who i thought for sure would write a letter for me pretty much turned me down after i went and talked to him in person. Then i tried emailing two other professors and they haven't responded yet and it's been two or three days already. Two other professors I could've asked either retired or are not teaching this semester. My only other options are to ask a organic chem professor and another bio professor, but i got a B+ in both of those classes so i'm not sure what they would write if they don't know me. The reason i'm even in this situation right now is because i thought a letter from a math class would count as a science LOR but after I called the schools i'm applying to, all of them said they only consider Chemistry, Biology, or Physics courses for science LORs. What do you think i should do at this point? I'm freaking out right now and can't even go to sleep.

 

[UndergradGuy7]

I am also in a similar spot. A professor that agreed to write me one months ago, now does not answer e-mails. I asked another professor to write me one, but it is from an anatomy prof.

Would an anatomy professor satisfy a science LOR, or do they really want a bio, chem, or physics?

 

[sarora11]

I am also in a similar spot. A professor that agreed to write me one months ago, now does not answer e-mails. I asked another professor to write me one, but it is from an anatomy prof.

Would an anatomy professor satisfy a science LOR, or do they really want a bio, chem, or physics?

I was told that anatomy is good for bio which is why i'm getting two bio teachers to fulfill my science LORS

 

[coffinhaed]

hello all, a professor who i thought for sure would write a letter for me pretty much turned me down after i went and talked to him in person. Then i tried emailing two other professors and they haven't responded yet and it's been two or three days already. Two other professors I could've asked either retired or are not teaching this semester. My only other options are to ask a organic chem professor and another bio professor, but i got a B+ in both of those classes so i'm not sure what they would write if they don't know me. The reason i'm even in this situation right now is because i thought a letter from a math class would count as a science LOR but after I called the schools i'm applying to, all of them said they only consider Chemistry, Biology, or Physics courses for science LORs. What do you think i should do at this point? I'm freaking out right now and can't even go to sleep.

I have contacted few schools I will be applying to and they said they take letters from lab instructors. It cannot be TA though so just contact your school. Lab instructors would write letters because they know you more. I have one from Genetics lab and the other from n O chem instructor.

Good luck

 

[MrBeans]

I have contacted few schools I will be applying to and they said they take letters from lab instructors. It cannot be TA though so just contact your school. Lab instructors would write letters because they know you more. I have one from Genetics lab and the other from n O chem instructor.

Good luck

I know several schools that accept a letter from a TA, although I think it has to be duel signed by both the TA and prof.

Check with your schools to see if a TA letter is alright with them.

As far as the other poster asking if an anatomy prof letter would satisfy the science LOR, yes, I'm sure it will!

 

[komradrobot]

hello all, a professor who i thought for sure would write a letter for me pretty much turned me down after i went and talked to him in person. .

Oh my gosh! Why!

How exactly did the original professor "pretty much turn you down"? Did they say it was because they were too busy at the time?

I would go back to the original professor. If you think you know how to be firm without being as *******, go for it. Writing letters of recommendation IS A HUGE PART OF THIS PERSONS JOB and for them to turn down an A student is a terrible thing. Maybe they are just too swamped with letters right now to take on another one. See if you can arrange a time to see them in the future to discuss the letter, though I'm not sure what their reasoning was for turning you down in the first place.

If I were you, I would not take NO for an answer from this proff. You payed tons of money to take their class and invested so much time and effort to do well in it. It is their job to write you this letter.

This is of course, granted that you were an excellent student in the class and made time to visit the proff during office hours, etc.

 

[MrBeans]

Oh my gosh! Why!

How exactly did the original professor "pretty much turn you down"? Did they say it was because they were too busy at the time?

I would go back to the original professor. If you think you know how to be firm without being as *******, go for it. Writing letters of recommendation IS A HUGE PART OF THIS PERSONS JOB and for them to turn down an A student is a terrible thing. Maybe they are just too swamped with letters right now to take on another one. See if you can arrange a time to see them in the future to discuss the letter, though I'm not sure what their reasoning was for turning you down in the first place.

If I were you, I would not take NO for an answer from this proff. You payed tons of money to take their class and invested so much time and effort to do well in it. It is their job to write you this letter.

This is of course, granted that you were an excellent student in the class and made time to visit the proff during office hours, etc.

If forcing a LOR writer to agree after he/she declined may lead to a poor LOR.

Be very careful when pushing the issue, you may not achieve the best written letter.

 

[komradrobot]

You're right but sometimes you just need a letter, it depends on the situation.

I'm in a similar situation in that I have three really great letters from a dentist, science proff, and proff from my major. I need one more science letter and I've been having a hard time getting one. It's especially difficult when you attend a huge university and haven't taken many upper level sciences.

Frankly I don't really care if it ends up being generic as long as I get it and can complete the app., since I know my other three are very strong. I figure one generic one wont do that much harm...hopefully.

So yeah, depending on your situation, you might be ok with settling for a more generic letter.

 

[DoctreDrey]

Yeah, a number of schools say LORs are only "somewhat important" anyways according to this survey: http://www.ada.org/sections/professionalResources/pdfs/survey_ed_vol2.pdf

You're right but sometimes you just need a letter, it depends on the situation.

I'm in a similar situation in that I have three really great letters from a dentist, science proff, and proff from my major. I need one more science letter and I've been having a hard time getting one. It's especially difficult when you attend a huge university and haven't taken many upper level sciences.

Frankly I don't really care if it ends up being generic as long as I get it and can complete the app., since I know my other three are very strong. I figure one generic one wont do that much harm...hopefully.

So yeah, depending on your situation, you might be ok with settling for a more generic letter.

 

[coffinhaed]

Oh my gosh! Why!

How exactly did the original professor "pretty much turn you down"? Did they say it was because they were too busy at the time?

I would go back to the original professor. If you think you know how to be firm without being as *******, go for it. Writing letters of recommendation IS A HUGE PART OF THIS PERSONS JOB and for them to turn down an A student is a terrible thing. Maybe they are just too swamped with letters right now to take on another one. See if you can arrange a time to see them in the future to discuss the letter, though I'm not sure what their reasoning was for turning you down in the first place.

If I were you, I would not take NO for an answer from this proff. You payed tons of money to take their class and invested so much time and effort to do well in it. It is their job to write you this letter.

This is of course, granted that you were an excellent student in the class and made time to visit the proff during office hours, etc.

After creating a fuss about things and making someone write a letter against their will I donno if I would expect a good letter. I went a prof they told me they could write me one but they did not know me well, even though I had an A in the class. What did I do? I told them it was fine and found someone who is happy to write me one.

Ask other science teachers, someone will definitely write one for you.

 

[MrBeans]

As others have mentioned, LORs really are not of the utmost importance to most adcoms.

However, they may make the slightest difference when scrutinizing one applicant from another.

Try to obtain a good LOR, but if circumstances have it, a mediocre LOR is acceptable as it's critical for application completion.

 

[DDSTX]

As others have mentioned, LORs really are not of the utmost importance to most adcoms.

However, they may make the slightest difference when scrutinizing one applicant from another.

Try to obtain a good LOR, but if circumstances have it, a mediocre LOR is acceptable as it's critical for application completion.

WOW...
who are "others"? other predents? who have no idea as how adcoms work....

There is a reason why applications will not be considered complete if LORs are not included (as you mentioned).... on the other hand, no one will question you if you did not put down your ECs or research activities/experience etc..

LORs, especially from science teachers, are the next important thing after GPA/DAT...

 

[MrBeans]

WOW...
who are "others"? other predents? who have no idea as how adcoms work....

There is a reason why applications will not be considered complete if LORs are not included (as you mentioned).... on the other hand, no one will question you if you did not put down your ECs or research activities/experience etc..

LORs, especially from science teachers, are the next important thing after GPA/DAT...

There's an official listing/break down of what schools consider the most important to an application (it varies by school).

As I recall, DAT and GPA are extremely important, ECs are important, and LORs are somewhat important; this is all generally speaking. Let me double check the list.

Case in point, a very strong LOR will not get you in if you have a low GPA and/or DAT.

I'll see if I can find the list...

 

[DDSTX]

There's an official listing/break down of what schools consider the most important to an application (it varies by school).

As I recall, DAT and GPA are extremely important, ECs are important, and LORs are somewhat important; this is all generally speaking. Let me double check the list.

Case in point, a very strong LOR will not get you in if you have a low GPA and/or DAT.

I'll see if I can find the list...

that is exactly what I said "LORs, especially from science teachers, are the next important thing after GPA/DAT..."

 

[MrBeans]

that is exactly what I said "LORs, especially from science teachers, are the next important thing after GPA/DAT..."

Lol, I must be overly tired... Sorry, I didn't read your post correctly 😛

Here's the thread with the link anyway, it's always interesting to look at (for me at least):

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=657139

 

[system7]

Update: So I called my Physics professor (got his number from the department website) and he remembered who I was and agreed to write a letter. The next day I went to his office and explained to him in more detail and handed him my CV to look at. So if somebody is in a similar situation, I strongly suggest you CALL instead of email or go to their office directly. I still have yet to hear from the other two professors that I emailed but I don't care now since I got the letter. 😀

 

[Denteeth]

Update: So I called my Physics professor (got his number from the department website) and he remembered who I was and agreed to write a letter. The next day I went to his office and explained to him in more detail and handed him my CV to look at. So if somebody is in a similar situation, I strongly suggest you CALL instead of email or go to their office directly. I still have yet to hear from the other two professors that I emailed but I don't care now since I got the letter. 😀

very cool!

 

[MrBeans]

Glad everything worked out for you 😉