Non science majors...how did you get a good prof LOR?

[DOwnage]

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For my committee letter, they want me to get a bunch of letters from science faculty. Only problems are: I am not a science major, so I have a way smaller pool of science profs to ask compared to a traditional sci-major AND all of my science classes so far have been giant class sizes, so it's likely the prof's don't know me that well. They say that you should ask professors you've done research with, but I haven't done research 🙁 ... how does one in my position get a good LOR (not a generic POS one) for a committee letter?

Thanks in advance!

DOwnage

 

[Richardh]

don't know if these will help but here are some solutons:

does your science class happen to have discussions (otherwise known as a class where the Teacher Aid gives a summary of what was covered in lecture and answers questions from students)? some times not everything can be covered or answered by the prof in a lecture so there are dicussions. if you do have discussions, you can ask your TA to write you a letter and have the professor co-sign it.

-or-

did you take any bio labs, chem labs, organic chem labs, etc.? (might sound like the above solution but) if you have taken these clases, you can ask the TA that was overlooking the lab to write you a letter and have the professor co-sign it.

 

[Morzh]

This actually has been an issue worrying me and I am a science major! I go to a big school and all the lower level classes were 150+ students and my upper divisions are still 40-60 students per class.

I'm doing research and have a PI who will write me a good one, but I've never been the kind to buddy up to profs, sit in the front row, ask lots of questions, and visit them every week during their office hours. I usually sit quietly halfway back, study hard, and get A's the quiet way.

I know that some of my profs will remember my face and if I ask them they would write me a letter, but I'm not confident it would be a stellar letter or anything. In fact my PI was once telling us how he writes 10 times better LoRs for his RAs than the students who come to him at the end of the semester and say "Hey I got an A in your class. Can I have a letter of rec?" He said he even has a saved generic template on his computer that he just inserts their name into and then he's done. I don't want one of those letters. So I need advice too on how to get a professor to get to know me well enough by the time I apply (next cycle) so they can write a letter that actually means something.

 

[wolverinepwns]

I attended the very first office hour on that very first week! I was typically the only person there and I just got to know the professor.

 

[DoctorJDO]

i attended the very first office hour on that very first week! I was typically the only person there and i just got to know the professor.

+1

 

[NickNaylor]

Just do SOMETHING that allows you to see the prof outside of normal class hours. Go see them a couple of times at office hours, talk with them after class... it doesn't take much (usually) for you to be remembered. You don't need to make them breakfast in bed. Just an occasional visit will be enough to stand out.

 

[wolverinepwns]

Just do SOMETHING that allows you to see the prof outside of normal class hours. Go see them a couple of times at office hours, talk with them after class... it doesn't take much (usually) for you to be remembered. You don't need to make them breakfast in bed. Just an occasional visit will be enough to stand out.

although that would definately improve your chances of getting that letter!

 

[lstone13]

For my committee letter, they want me to get a bunch of letters from science faculty. Only problems are: I am not a science major, so I have a way smaller pool of science profs to ask compared to a traditional sci-major AND all of my science classes so far have been giant class sizes, so it's likely the prof's don't know me that well. They say that you should ask professors you've done research with, but I haven't done research 🙁 ... how does one in my position get a good LOR (not a generic POS one) for a committee letter?

Thanks in advance!

DOwnage

I had the same challenge also when looking for science professor evaluators for my committee packet. I visited the professors whose classes I did well in and asked them personally if they would be willing to write a letter for me.

 

[Meerkatology]

i went to a giant school too, but usually professors have office hours where you get to ask them questions in a 1v1 basis.

try to go to as many of those as possible and ask questions. don't ask too many questions about class material, know your class material well before hand and ask questions that probe further into the subject, to show that you're intelligent and interested.

also research is a good way to get letters from people that actually get to know you and how you work.

finally when you ask someone for a letter whether they had a chance to know you or not, you should always offer them more info like "would you like me to write a summery of my past experiences/achievements" or even your med school app essay. so they have something to write about even if they don't know you.

 

[rhesuspieces]

Take advantage of any or all of the following: OFFICE HOURS, extra credit/honors opportunities, those 5 min before class where you would just be doing sudoku anyway, available seats in the front row/second row, time after class to ask questions, take your professor to lunch programs (most big universities have them), research....etc.

Hate to be harsh, but not being a science major is a bulls*** reason to not have a LOR-worthy relationship with at least two science profs. If you have to, take a couple science classes outside of the pre-med requirements that really interest you as electives. I hated gen chem and didn't exactly excel at OChem, but I took anatomy and physiology and loved them. It's much easier to talk to profs that teach a class you're actually interested it.

 

[no beans]

Well, I'm a science major at a very large public university and I'm still frustrated out of my mind. Being a sophomore, I resolved I'd challenge myself in Organic in that I would do well enough in the class to be able to ask my prof for a LOR. Well, I'm doing very well, but I am faceless to this prof. With approx 250 students in the class, even during office hours there are at least 20 people each time waiting to get a question answered. I get in line, but he doesn't even look up when I ask my question. I've gone three times now since class started, and each time is the same scenario. He seems to have no real interest in who he's talking with. Good prof, mind you, just not personalized service! As soon as the line is done, he bolts.

Well, I started working in a lab this semester, and since I started almost 6 weeks ago, I have not seen the PI once. I have only seen the PhD a few times by accident. He doesn't even know if I am there or not and I spend about 10 hours a week in the lab. I only interact with a couple of graduate students who teach me the techniques, but are not terribly interested in teaching me more. The lab is huge, and I am learning things, but how am I ever going to get a good LOR from someone I don't see? Worst yet, how am I ever going to understand everything and be able to generate an idea for an individual project? I really don't know how to make the situation any better. I have made a commitment to this lab through next summer at least. I don't think any other lab here would be any better in terms of more individualized attention. I am very willing to work hard for them, but I also want to reap some benefit.

My other science class (Bio 2) is the same thing. Almost 300. In some of my Gen Ed classes there have been over 600.

Fortunately, the school has loads of EC opportunities that have been very rewarding, but the one I am heavily involved in is a completely student-run club with no faculty involved. Any further suggestions?

 

[brynleerose]

I am having this problem as well. How do you visit the professor after the term you take the class? Do you find out their new office hours and drop by, or do you email them to set up an appointment?