Recommendation Letter suggestions

[lauratiny]

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I graduated a year ago with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Film Studies. I was on the path of working in the film industry and even a year or so before I graduated, was slowly realizing that I probably made the wrong choice. Just recently I decided to go back to school and this time, for medicine. Now I'm in the process of applying for Post-Bac Pre-Med programs. I have quite a big problem though.

I've now asked 3 of my previous philosophy professors to write me a letter of recommendation. 1 of them said no because, while we did have a good rapport and great conversations, he couldn't write a good recommendation because I got a bad grade in his class due to homework issues. Another of my professors just answered saying that he "didn't know enough about my work and not enough about the program." I was really taken aback by this because he was my advisor and we had some great conversations and I did really well in his class. But I feel wrong arguing with him. I'm still waiting on one more reply but it's by a professor I haven't talked to in years so I'm not putting a lot of stock on that one.

I really need suggestions as to what people do if they run out of options like this. It's a little too late to build a relationship with a professor since I'm out of school and everything. I can't be the only one this has happened to. Please help!!

TL;DR I have no more professors to ask for recommendation letters.

 

[chayo234]

I graduated a year ago with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Film Studies. I was on the path of working in the film industry and even a year or so before I graduated, was slowly realizing that I probably made the wrong choice. Just recently I decided to go back to school and this time, for medicine. Now I'm in the process of applying for Post-Bac Pre-Med programs. I have quite a big problem though.

I've now asked 3 of my previous philosophy professors to write me a letter of recommendation. 1 of them said no because, while we did have a good rapport and great conversations, he couldn't write a good recommendation because I got a bad grade in his class due to homework issues. Another of my professors just answered saying that he "didn't know enough about my work and not enough about the program." I was really taken aback by this because he was my advisor and we had some great conversations and I did really well in his class. But I feel wrong arguing with him. I'm still waiting on one more reply but it's by a professor I haven't talked to in years so I'm not putting a lot of stock on that one.

I really need suggestions as to what people do if they run out of options like this. It's a little too late to build a relationship with a professor since I'm out of school and everything. I can't be the only one this has happened to. Please help!!

TL;DR I have no more professors to ask for recommendation letters.

Not having a single professor who is willing to provide a decent recommendation letter speaks volumes in these situations. You might want to take a hard look at yourself on why this is happening. Professors highly correlate their relationship with a student depending on how well they do in their class. You must've had a decent grade somewhere along the line in your college career, so I would look there.

Since you have only been out of school for 1 year, schools are going to most likely require you to send a letter from a professor, but you can add supplemental ones from your employer or other type of work history. This can be from volunteering, internships, etc.

Call the post-bacc places you are looking to apply and ask how you can amend the problem.

 

[lauratiny]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a couple of others I'm asking but I definitely had issues in my undergraduate schooling as far as not being very motivated to be in school, not knowing what I wanted to do in my future, etc. Obviously these are all things I have thought long and hard about which is why I'm making the career path change but unfortunately it has bitten me in the butt regarding past relationships with professors. I have several that I got really good grades in but not very close relationships so hopefully one of them will be willing to discuss just the academic side.

I was considering calling the post-bacc school to ask as well but I think I'll wait till I get replies from the others. I don't want to look bad to the school before I even finish applying.

 

[chayo234]

I was considering calling the post-bacc school to ask as well but I think I'll wait till I get replies from the others. I don't want to look bad to the school before I even finish applying.

No such thing as looking bad before the application in my opinion. It's best to get an idea before applying so you don't waste your time. Also, by asking beforehand, you look proactive and you might get answers that will end up helping you instead. Good post-bacc programs will care about their applicants and will do their best to help you with the application process.

Good luck! Applications are a stressful ordeal.