Recommendation from an "online" class?

[senzen]

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Hello,

I have a question in regards to LORs. I was thinking of potentially asking a professor who teaches an upper level biology elective's (something like Genetics, let's say for example…I don't want to specify the real course name so I can maintain my anonymity!) lab portion half online and half in class (it's hybrid). The lecture portion is entirely in class.

On my transcript, there is no distinction that it's an online course.

I'm simply concerned that when she writes the LOR she will spend a little time describing herself and the class and mention that the lab was "half online" or "mostly online." I mean it may be unlikely but it's possible. Her class is really the only science class (that has a lab as part of the grade) in my school that does that. So I don't want schools to look down upon my academic capabilities or other coursework due to this. Because every other class is sincerely a real lecture+lab class. My entire application is trying to prove the whole I had a rough start but made a serious academic comeback and this course was taken at some point in the latter half of college where my grades started going up!


So the question is, if for some reason she mentions that the lab portion is partially online when introducing the course she taught me in, will schools look down upon this?

Again, there is no transcript distinction that this was an online course as it appears the same as any other regular in class course at my school.

I started freaking out a little about this. I know grades and MCAT are the most important thing but a bad LOR/a letter that isn't taken seriously can potentially hurt an applicant from what I've heard.

Thanks for taking time to read and answer this! As adcoms I always value your advice.
@Goro @gyngyn @Catalystik @LizzyM @Ismet

 

[philosonista]

This seems to me to be needless worry. If it was entirely online I could see why other professors would be a better choice. Entirely online courses are rather silly and notoriously easy. Plus, how would the professor really know you? But half online lab -- who cares?

The prof knows you, you couldn't hide behind a screen the whole time, it demonstrates your academic upswing.

At worst, an ADCOM will probably think, "Well, never heard of that combo before," and move on.

 

[Holmwood]

I highly doubt they'll care.

You have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate your scientific capabilities from your other science courses + MCAT. Your transcript should be sufficient for showing that upward trend as well.

The LOR serves more to give a general idea of what type of person you are. If the professor doesn't really know you but is willing to write it, provide satisfactory amount of information such as CV, personal statement, unofficial transcript, etc.

 

[optimistic3]

Why don't you just ask this professor to not mention that?

 

[LizzyM]

The LOR serves more to give a general idea of what type of person you are. If the professor doesn't really know you but is willing to write it, provide satisfactory amount of information such as CV, personal statement, unofficial transcript, etc.

This is one way to get a LOR that the adcom will not take seriously. We don't need your CV regurgitated in a LOR. Committee letters do this in a very systematic way that can be helpful (because each school has a template that makes it easy for those with experience to find specific bits of information exactly in the same place in each letter from that school) but from individual letter writers it is an unhelpful annoyance. Do not ask writers who do not know you well as a student, scholar, volunteer or employee. If a letter writer can not write you a good letter based on what they have personally observed, then find someone else. If you feel you must give the writer something as a memory jog, give copies of things you handed in for a grade in the class such as essays and reports and/or write a letter thanking the professor for agreeing to write and mention that you found a specific class discussion on xyz (a discussion in which you participated vigorouslly) to be a particularly memorable college experience. That will help the faculty member write a nice letter about your skills in writing and group discussion which is part of what we are looking for from faculty letters.

 

[Goro]

I don't think an online Professor can truly assess you adequately. It's like me trying to write a LOR for any of the SDNers I advise.

Hello,

I have a question in regards to LORs. I was thinking of potentially asking a professor who teaches an upper level biology elective's (something like Genetics, let's say for example…I don't want to specify the real course name so I can maintain my anonymity!) lab portion half online and half in class (it's hybrid). The lecture portion is entirely in class.

On my transcript, there is no distinction that it's an online course.

I'm simply concerned that when she writes the LOR she will spend a little time describing herself and the class and mention that the lab was "half online" or "mostly online." I mean it may be unlikely but it's possible. Her class is really the only science class (that has a lab as part of the grade) in my school that does that. So I don't want schools to look down upon my academic capabilities or other coursework due to this. Because every other class is sincerely a real lecture+lab class. My entire application is trying to prove the whole I had a rough start but made a serious academic comeback and this course was taken at some point in the latter half of college where my grades started going up!


So the question is, if for some reason she mentions that the lab portion is partially online when introducing the course she taught me in, will schools look down upon this?

Again, there is no transcript distinction that this was an online course as it appears the same as any other regular in class course at my school.

I started freaking out a little about this. I know grades and MCAT are the most important thing but a bad LOR/a letter that isn't taken seriously can potentially hurt an applicant from what I've heard.

Thanks for taking time to read and answer this! As adcoms I always value your advice.
@Goro @gyngyn @Catalystik @LizzyM @Ismet

 

[TeddyBoomBoom]

I would suggest that you make sure the professor knows you. Like REALLY knows you. LORs that start "senzen attended my bio class and performed well" mean a lot less than those that start "I have known Senzen for many years throughout her growing academic career, etc."

The class itself probably doesn't matter nearly as much as the relationship, though personal letters from Chairs and department heads may be helpful.

Phenomenal letters matter, provided you get eyes on your app. One of my interviewers straight-up told me "You're here right now because of these letters." srs.