Hello. I want to preface this by saying that I am not trying to humble brag at all. This is a very big concern for me.
As a nontraditional student who has been out of school for two years now, I feel that most of my professors probably won't remember me. I took classes and even worked in the lab of a pretty influential and "big shot" professor at my university, but I don't think his letter will be that strong in my case because he probably doesn't remember that much about me already. This is probably my fault because I got so preoccupied with "real life" and working after graduating. Another professor that I am still close with is not that well-known but I text message him and even have beers with him from time to time, so I am definitely getting his letter of recommendation. However, I feel a little worried that I probably won't get the most stellar letter of recommendation from the former professor. Does the reputation of a professor or the title that he holds at the university really matter?
How much does letters of recommendation weigh in on the whole process and will making up on all of the other portions be fine? I have been doing clinically relevant work and have very high stats. I have even done all of the cookie-cutter extracurriculars and published a few papers. The only thing that I feel is weak about my application relates mostly to my life. I am older, nontraditional and have not been able to keep in touch with people who I should have kept my foot in the door with.
Should I be worried at all or just think of it as a lost cause and get "ok" letters of recommendations? I was even contemplating getting holiday baskets and saying "hello"... but I think that might come off as desperate.
I also heard that there is a portion of the application where I can explain any weaknesses. Should I mention the time that I have been out of school in this section and explain how it may have affected my letters?
As a nontraditional student who has been out of school for two years now, I feel that most of my professors probably won't remember me. I took classes and even worked in the lab of a pretty influential and "big shot" professor at my university, but I don't think his letter will be that strong in my case because he probably doesn't remember that much about me already. This is probably my fault because I got so preoccupied with "real life" and working after graduating. Another professor that I am still close with is not that well-known but I text message him and even have beers with him from time to time, so I am definitely getting his letter of recommendation. However, I feel a little worried that I probably won't get the most stellar letter of recommendation from the former professor. Does the reputation of a professor or the title that he holds at the university really matter?
How much does letters of recommendation weigh in on the whole process and will making up on all of the other portions be fine? I have been doing clinically relevant work and have very high stats. I have even done all of the cookie-cutter extracurriculars and published a few papers. The only thing that I feel is weak about my application relates mostly to my life. I am older, nontraditional and have not been able to keep in touch with people who I should have kept my foot in the door with.
Should I be worried at all or just think of it as a lost cause and get "ok" letters of recommendations? I was even contemplating getting holiday baskets and saying "hello"... but I think that might come off as desperate.
I also heard that there is a portion of the application where I can explain any weaknesses. Should I mention the time that I have been out of school in this section and explain how it may have affected my letters?
