Question about Professor's reply to LOR request via email

[prettyslick]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Ok..so I emailed this Physics professor today asking for LOR (took Physics with him 2-3 yrs back). I wanted to get a Physics letter done since I know couple of schools require from Chem, Bio, Physics ONE letter EACH. So this professor actually left the university (found out from Physics department) so I emailed him...anyway so he replied back saying he would write me a LOR (I got a B in his class)

He asked me:
1. My involvement in EC's
2. My grades in "hard sciences"
3. What other physics classes I took and grades in it
4. What other profs in other departments are writing me a letter

He also asked me a deadline when he needs to send it in... I am not applying until next year. I mainly wanted to get in touch with him so that I atleast know he will write me a LOR. Otherwise, I was going to try take another Physics class and try to do well in it and ask that prof for a letter.

Now my questions are:
1. Should I tell him I am not applying until next yr (2009), so he can wait and take it easy..or should I not say that since I might not get a rec eltter since he left univ and it would be hard to get hold of him via email etc.

2. Some of my bad grades are C in Biochem and bunch of B's in Bio. Obviously, the C in Biochem doesnt look good. He didnt really ask for a transcript. Do I really have to tell him those grades? I mean I am not trying to hide it but I would rather not mention since it;s a C and obviously it not a good thing (although not the end of the world).

Just wanted some input...Thanks for your help guys!

 

[Moki]

Personally, I would be honest with him about the timing of your app. He is doing you a favor, so do what you can to make his life easier. As for the C, I would simply explain to him why the grade isn't where you wanted it to be. My two cents. . . .

Good luck.

 

[Bacchus]

Professors are well-known for procrastinating. If you won't see this professor again (since he left the university) you can get the letter written now and have him turn it into your committee (make sure this is a possibility, first). Also, for the professor to write the most objective letter you should provide him with the information he requests. If you don't provide this information he may indicate in the letter that he has reservations about you.

 

[prettyslick]

Professors are well-known for procrastinating. If you won't see this professor again (since he left the university) you can get the letter written now and have him turn it into your committee (make sure this is a possibility, first). Also, for the professor to write the most objective letter you should provide him with the information he requests. If you don't provide this information he may indicate in the letter that he has reservations about you.

My school doesnt have a committee. So, I am getting individual letters. I have no problem telling him my "C" grades but if that means it will lead to a neutral/negative letter, then I'd rather not ask him for the letter, ya know? What do you think about that?

 

[ChemGrad08]

What schools require a chem, bio, and physics letter?

 

[ACSurgeon]

ask the prof to have it ready in the next couple of months. Don't specify a deadline, but tell him the sooner the better. Not telling him details is NOT being dishonest, its being practicle. As for the bad grade, I doubt he knows you took biochem, so just tell him about the other courses. I dont see why you would tell him you got a C (he might decide your not worth his time). I say give him info that he can use in the letter, not info that can bias his opinion about you!

 

[Bacchus]

My school doesnt have a committee. So, I am getting individual letters. I have no problem telling him my "C" grades but if that means it will lead to a neutral/negative letter, then I'd rather not ask him for the letter, ya know? What do you think about that?

If you can find another letter to make the requirement and you feel more comfortable about that letter, then by all means get the other letter. This is about you.

 

[Bacchus]

What schools require a chem, bio, and physics letter?

Many schools require a science letter (usually two) from faculty that have taught you in lieu of the committee letter.

 

[prettyslick]

What schools require a chem, bio, and physics letter?

Jefferson (for example)

 

[ACSurgeon]

Professors are well-known for procrastinating. If you won't see this professor again (since he left the university) you can get the letter written now and have him turn it into your committee (make sure this is a possibility, first). Also, for the professor to write the most objective letter you should provide him with the information he requests. If you don't provide this information he may indicate in the letter that he has reservations about you.

That is not wise. Again, providing him with unnecessary info wont help. He doesnt know that biochem was taken, so how will he indicate that he has reservations? Obviously the OP needs to list all the premed reqs (gen bio/chem and ocem). Biochem is kinda extra.

 

[redbull928]

Question... why would you ask him to write a LOR for you? Since you got a B, the letter may not be strong. Well, if you don't care about that, I say send him all the info. He may change his mind and decide not to write a letter of rec, but you can ask other people. I imagine he asked you for that information to scare away people from asking him for an LOR, but I may be wrong.

 

[Bacchus]

ask the prof to have it ready in the next couple of months. Don't specify a deadline, but tell him the sooner the better. Not telling him details is NOT being dishonest, its being practicle. As for the bad grade, I doubt he knows you took biochem, so just tell him about the other courses. I dont see why you would tell him you got a C (he might decide your not worth his time). I say give him info that he can use in the letter, not info that can bias his opinion about you!

I agree with most of this. If a professor doesn't ask for a transcript then he can't expect everyone to divulge every grade, good or bad. Of course there are people that will disclose all grades. For me, it was just easier to print out the transcript 😉.

 

[Bacchus]

Question... why would you ask him to write a LOR for you? Since you got a B, the letter may not be strong. Well, if you don't care about that, I say send him all the info. He may change his mind and decide not to write a letter of rec, but you can ask other people. I imagine he asked you for that information to scare away people from asking him for an LOR, but I may be wrong.

Getting a grade of "B" in a course does not always equal a bad letter.

 

[prettyslick]

Question... why would you ask him to write a LOR for you? Since you got a B, the letter may not be strong. Well, if you don't care about that, I say send him all the info. He may change his mind and decide not to write a letter of rec, but you can ask other people. I imagine he asked you for that information to scare away people from asking him for an LOR, but I may be wrong.

Because he is the only one who can write me a Physics LOR. I've only taken Physics I and II in Physics department. Even though I got a B, I feel he can still write me a decent LOR. I was close to an A (like 5-10 points away) but I doubt he remembers that.

 

[BrnEyes]

Ok..so I emailed this Physics professor today asking for LOR (took Physics with him 2-3 yrs back). I wanted to get a Physics letter done since I know couple of schools require from Chem, Bio, Physics ONE letter EACH. So this professor actually left the university (found out from Physics department) so I emailed him...anyway so he replied back saying he would write me a LOR (I got a B in his class)

He asked me:
1. My involvement in EC's
2. My grades in "hard sciences"
3. What other physics classes I took and grades in it
4. What other profs in other departments are writing me a letter

He also asked me a deadline when he needs to send it in... I am not applying until next year. I mainly wanted to get in touch with him so that I atleast know he will write me a LOR. Otherwise, I was going to try take another Physics class and try to do well in it and ask that prof for a letter.

Now my questions are:
1. Should I tell him I am not applying until next yr (2009), so he can wait and take it easy..or should I not say that since I might not get a rec eltter since he left univ and it would be hard to get hold of him via email etc.

2. Some of my bad grades are C in Biochem and bunch of B's in Bio. Obviously, the C in Biochem doesnt look good. He didnt really ask for a transcript. Do I really have to tell him those grades? I mean I am not trying to hide it but I would rather not mention since it;s a C and obviously it not a good thing (although not the end of the world).

Just wanted some input...Thanks for your help guys!

I asked professors for letters last fall (08) and I was way ahead of the game. When I told them I didn't need it until the following summer, many put it off (despite telling me they would write it in a week without my even asking). I must say after a reminder or two they all were very good about getting them in, though.

My advice to you would be to wait a bit. It will help you both academically, as you will have a chance to redeem yourself for what you feel are subpar grades, and with regard to your EC's, as you will have a greater opportunity to begin new activities and continue old ones.

I certainly don't mean to discourage you from getting a letter of rec. from this professor. You might, however, want to consider the implications of his leaving the university, as well. Will he be able to submit his letter on department letterhead (as many schools require)? Will he be able to list any formal professorship status (Asst., Assoc., Full, etc.)? If he is in a tenure-track position at another university, both of my previous questions are no longer an issue. If he is currently unemployed, however, his letter may not be taken seriously or considered at all.

In sum, before going through all the time and effort of providing the professor with info. and having him write the letter, check out the requirements at some schools you would like to apply to and make sure this letter would be acceptable. A little effort in this regard could prevent a lot of time wasted down the road.

Hope that helps. 🙂

 

[Droopy Snoopy]

Ok..so I emailed this Physics professor today asking for LOR (took Physics with him 2-3 yrs back). I wanted to get a Physics letter done since I know couple of schools require from Chem, Bio, Physics ONE letter EACH. So this professor actually left the university (found out from Physics department) so I emailed him...anyway so he replied back saying he would write me a LOR (I got a B in his class)

He asked me:
1. My involvement in EC's
2. My grades in "hard sciences"
3. What other physics classes I took and grades in it
4. What other profs in other departments are writing me a letter

He also asked me a deadline when he needs to send it in... I am not applying until next year. I mainly wanted to get in touch with him so that I atleast know he will write me a LOR. Otherwise, I was going to try take another Physics class and try to do well in it and ask that prof for a letter.

Now my questions are:
1. Should I tell him I am not applying until next yr (2009), so he can wait and take it easy..or should I not say that since I might not get a rec eltter since he left univ and it would be hard to get hold of him via email etc.

2. Some of my bad grades are C in Biochem and bunch of B's in Bio. Obviously, the C in Biochem doesnt look good. He didnt really ask for a transcript. Do I really have to tell him those grades? I mean I am not trying to hide it but I would rather not mention since it;s a C and obviously it not a good thing (although not the end of the world).

Just wanted some input...Thanks for your help guys!

I wouldn't bother telling him you're not applying until next year's cycle, just give him a reasonable deadline (say, September 1) and go from there. Be honest with your grades.

 

[ACSurgeon]

I agree with most of this. If a professor doesn't ask for a transcript then he can't expect everyone to divulge every grade, good or bad. Of course there are people that will disclose all grades. For me, it was just easier to print out the transcript 😉.

I personally gave each recommender a copy of my AAMC application, so they had all my grades, EC's, PS etc. Again, if the prof didn't ask for a specific grade, and that grade is less than good, I wouldn't go out of my way to disclose it. Plus, the prof should recommend based on personal knowledge of the student, not based on a list of grades.

 

[ChemGrad08]

Jefferson's website says 4 letters and 3 should be science but it doesn't specify the department. http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/admissions/faq.cfm
It just seems hard to believe that they would force you to get letters from all three departments when you only have to take 2 classes in two of those departments.

 

[HiFi09]

Jefferson's website says 4 letters and 3 should be science but it doesn't specify the department. http://www.jefferson.edu/jmc/admissions/faq.cfm
It just seems hard to believe that they would force you to get letters from all three departments when you only have to take 2 classes in two of those departments.

I think ChemGrad is correct. I dont know about Jeff for sure, but I think the OP is simply mistaken. When they ask for 3 (ex) science faculty letters, they dont mean you have to have a physics, chem, and bio letter. They simply mean..3 science letters!

 

[wizenedone]

I think ChemGrad is correct. I dont know about Jeff for sure, but I think the OP is simply mistaken. When they ask for 3 (ex) science faculty letters, they dont mean you have to have a physics, chem, and bio letter. They simply mean..3 science letters!

yes, I believe OP is mistaken. They say they "prefer"

 

[135892]

Ok..so I emailed this Physics professor today asking for LOR (took Physics with him 2-3 yrs back). I wanted to get a Physics letter done since I know couple of schools require from Chem, Bio, Physics ONE letter EACH. So this professor actually left the university (found out from Physics department) so I emailed him...anyway so he replied back saying he would write me a LOR (I got a B in his class)

He asked me:
1. My involvement in EC's
2. My grades in "hard sciences"
3. What other physics classes I took and grades in it
4. What other profs in other departments are writing me a letter

He also asked me a deadline when he needs to send it in... I am not applying until next year. I mainly wanted to get in touch with him so that I atleast know he will write me a LOR. Otherwise, I was going to try take another Physics class and try to do well in it and ask that prof for a letter.

Now my questions are:
1. Should I tell him I am not applying until next yr (2009), so he can wait and take it easy..or should I not say that since I might not get a rec eltter since he left univ and it would be hard to get hold of him via email etc.

2. Some of my bad grades are C in Biochem and bunch of B's in Bio. Obviously, the C in Biochem doesnt look good. He didnt really ask for a transcript. Do I really have to tell him those grades? I mean I am not trying to hide it but I would rather not mention since it;s a C and obviously it not a good thing (although not the end of the world).

Just wanted some input...Thanks for your help guys!

1. I wouldn't necessarily tell him that I'm actually not applying for a whole year, but I would just give a loose sort of deadline, i.e. a couple of months.

2. If you're not sending him your actual transcript, I don't see what benefit comes from telling him about your lesser grades. I'm not saying that you should tell him you got an A, when you really got a C, but just don't even bring it up. How will telling him you got a C, even though it's truthful, help your LOR in anyway? Just leave out as many bad grades as you can without it seeming suspicious.