Scared to ask for a LOR

[thegame2388]

So finals are next week and I might end up getting an A- in my prof's ochem class.


I've never been to his office hours (and it's his first quarter teaching ochem) at my university.


I don't know how to approach him to ask him for an LOR (I apply NEXT year).


He won't be teaching here next quarter...probably next year he will, but I'm not sure.


Should I email him after I officially get the A- (hopefully) or email him now and ask for it?

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[supraman]

go to him

 

[Albuterol]

how badly do you want his letter of rec? Yes then go to him. No, then don't bother with it.

 

[geometric-pain]

I would go to his office and ask. Just explain your situation. I had to do that during my application. My prof asked for a resume of sorts that would help him highlight my strong points. If your prof agrees to write a letter for you, ask if he would like a letter like this and then write one up for him...Include everything positive you can think of. Good luck! I was nervous as all get out when I did it, but it has to be done!

 

[thegame2388]

So you mean I should present him with a 'get to know me' kinda letter with my strengths?

 

[DentGuy]

If you're going to get an A in his class, then I'd definitely consider having him write you an LOR. Shoot him an email and explain how much you enjoy his class and would be honored to have him write you an LOR. Then go to his office with your resume, a letter about yourself (background, hobbies, etc.), and maybe even a letter of intent (why dentistry, where you will open a practice). Don't be scared you never visited him earlier in the year as I'm sure your peers will approach him much later. It's natural to start talking to your prof about an LOR only when you're sure you're going to get an A in the class. Good luck!

 

[sleepinxlionhar]

Hey, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are. I'm looking for my 2nd science letter, and I think my options are very limited. As what Dentguy said, is it still possible to get a LOR from a prof in which you got an A in the class, but didn't go to office hours because of time conflicts? I know each professor's different. But I'm not sure because my first science letter is going to be from my former ochem prof, and I think we have a good relationship because we talk about just about anything, and I also tutor for her class. So it's finding my 2nd prof that's kinda stressing me out, especially if I want to apply at June.

 

[suhshi]

honestly
it doesnt matter if you get an A in a class and DONT know the professor

the letter of recs shoudl indicate how well the person knows you

i got an A in biochem and asked for a letter of reec
and my teacher said she wouldnt because all she coudl say was that I got an A

if you know the professor
then you shoudl ask

but the most he can put is you got an A in the class and your hardworking
but theres not indication that they know you on a personal level

 

[sleepinxlionhar]

I see..well, the thing for me is that I actually knew my physics professor pretty well, like we would talk about stuff outside of physics. But then, when I asked him about a letter today, he said to me "well, I don't really know you outside of physics" I was just thinking to myself, wow, I didn't just waste my time, did I? And he expects me to get A's in his class for a letter of rec. So I'm lost...

 

[Sephisabin]

It's important that the professor know you on a personal level so he's not just writing about how you got an A in the class. Giving him a resume to go off of and a copy of your personal statement would certainly help. Another option is just to ask the professor if he can meet you for coffee. I met one of my professors for coffee once and he wrote me a glaring letter of recommendation (according to my schools health committee and some adcoms when I interviewed... I didn't actually get to see it). My school actually had a program where you could ask a professor to go to lunch with you to help him or her write you a strong letter of rec... the school would actually pay for it! Not sure if that's a common thing, but you may want to look into that. If not, do what I did... what prof doesn't drink coffee?

 

[thegame2388]

I think I'll email him tomorrow and let him know.

 

[Wei87]

It's important that the professor know you on a personal level so he's not just writing about how you got an A in the class. Giving him a resume to go off of and a copy of your personal statement would certainly help. Another option is just to ask the professor if he can meet you for coffee. I met one of my professors for coffee once and he wrote me a glaring letter of recommendation (according to my schools health committee and some adcoms when I interviewed... I didn't actually get to see it). My school actually had a program where you could ask a professor to go to lunch with you to help him or her write you a strong letter of rec... the school would actually pay for it! Not sure if that's a common thing, but you may want to look into that. If not, do what I did... what prof doesn't drink coffee?

Getting LORs from professors that know you on a personal level is something you should definitely consider. However, I'd say you should go ahead a get this recommendation regardless, and worry about how much he/she knows you later. It wouldn't hurt to compile an arsenal of LORs first, you can always come back later to evaluate which letters you think would be better for your dental school apps based on how much you know them.

Having something is better than nothing. I was faced with a desparate situation when I applied, because I started asking for LORs too late. In the end, I was forced to ask my biochem professor who I have never spoken with to write one for me. I did well in her class but she knew nothing about me. She told exactly what she was going to write on my LOR, saying nothing other than the fact that I did well in her class. I think as long as your other three are solid, having one bad rec letter is not going to hurt you (I was still able to get invitations and acceptances)

On another note:Sephisabin, did you attend michigan? 🙂

 

[thegame2388]

Will do. But since he won't be teaching this quarter, and my final grade won't come out until AFTER the quarter is finished, should I just keep talking to him through online emails? I mean, what if he's off campus next quarter and the only other time I'd see him would be NEXT fall? Then what?! Or should I go NOW to his OH (without people there, cuz I hate doing things like this with people around me) and/or email him regardless of my grade???

 

[DentGuy]

Ask him to write you an LOR soon. He'll see that you are probably going to get an A in his class. IF he feels like he doesn't know you enough, he will tell you. He will either ask you meet with him (I did this for a few of my professors) or he'll simply ask you to submit a resume/personal statement (include one even if he doesn't ask for it). After he writes it, have him send it to your PREDENT advisor. If your school doesn't have one, ask him to write you one and simply keep it on file for when you do need it.

 

[Lemons]

Some schools require 3 LORs from science professors, would a Statistics Prof count?

This whole getting 3 LORs from Science Profs really hurts people who have been out of school for more than a few years.

 

[sleepinxlionhar]

This whole getting more than 3 LORs from Science Profs really hurts people who have been out of school for more than a few years.

And the people who didn't know about it..****..

 

[thegame2388]

Well, I can't tell you if I'm going to get an A- or not. I'm on the verge of a B+/A-

I think I'll email him with the following:


"Hey Professor X,

I'm a current student of yours and future pre-dental applicant. I was wondering if you'd be comfortable in writing a letter of recommendation for me in regards to dental school. Don't worry, they're not due until NEXT May.

If you can, please email me back. Thanks again,


SIGNED"

 

[Sephisabin]

On another note:Sephisabin, did you attend michigan? 🙂

Nah, I went to UC Davis. Does Michigan have a similar program?

 

[thegame2388]

Well, I can't tell you if I'm going to get an A- or not. I'm on the verge of a B+/A-

I think I'll email him with the following:


"Hey Professor X,

I'm a current student of yours and future pre-dental applicant. I was wondering if you'd be comfortable in writing a letter of recommendation for me in regards to dental school. Don't worry, they're not due until NEXT May.

If you can, please email me back. Thanks again,


SIGNED"

Is this okay?

 

[Wei87]

Some schools require 3 LORs from science professors, would a Statistics Prof count?

This whole getting 3 LORs from Science Profs really hurts people who have been out of school for more than a few years.

Nah, I went to UC Davis. Does Michigan have a similar program?

Is this okay?

Lemon: I don't think most schools are that strict in having to "perfectly" match their requirements on the types of LORs. AADSAS only accepts 4 LORs, I think most dental schools understand that you can't match every school. I personally got interviewed at schools where I was short on LORs from either 1 science professor or 1 health professional. Although a word of caution... there are still schools who are strict. Case was one of them, I overheard the desk lady telling a caller that his/her application was delayed because they are still waiting for a xx type of LOR from him/her.

So I guess... best call your dream schools to see how strict they are if you don't want to take chances.

Sephisabin: Yea, Michigan has the exact same program. It's called "Take Your Professor to Lunch Day", and it's paid for by the school.

thegame2388: I would suggest taking a even more formal tone. I'll post what my version would look like here. But do know that this is what I personally would write, and that it may not really apply in your situation.


Dear Professor X,

I'm student currently enrolled in your [put class here] and a future pre-dental applicant. I was wondering if I could schedule an appointment with you sometime in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of asking you for a letter of recommendation for my dental school application.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you for your time and patience,
[name here]


I think by mentioning the word "possibility", the professor will feel less pressured and feel more comfortable saying "yes" or "no". This last bit is my personal belief, but I would leave "Don't worry, they're not due until NEXT May" until your meeting with the professor; when you would discuss the LOR process in more detail

Hope this helps!

 

[thegame2388]

Gotcha. Do I not mention that I'm on the B+/A- verge?

 

[supraman]

an alternative:

Dear Professor X,

My name is X and I am currently enrolled in your [put class here]. I am an aspiring dentist for the Fall of X and one important aspect of the application is a recommendation. I was hoping I could schedule an appointment to come to see if you may be comfortable writing a letter of recommendation for me.

Thank you in advance, I am looking forward to hearing from you.

[Name]

Spell check it etc, that was mine give or take a few words- I got 7 LORs, so take it for what you think it's worth.

Be sure to get manilla envelopes and include;

A resume, a stamped return address, some other material to get an overall scope of you

 

[thegame2388]

Do I mention my grade? My B+, or B or A-?

 

[DentGuy]

Don't insult him, lol, he'll know your stats when he looks it up. You don't need to mention anything besides what Supraman and Wei87 wrote.

Oh, and after you write that email, maybe you can even go to him right after class and introduce yourself real quick.

 

[Sephisabin]

I would leave out the "NEXT May" part altogether. If you give a professor too much time to write it, it'll work it's way to the bottom of their stack and it won't get written. Courtesy says you give them one month to write it. Even if you don't need it until May, give them one month to write it and just hold on to it or give it to your pre-health committee early.

 

[Dental Mom]

Well, I can't tell you if I'm going to get an A- or not. I'm on the verge of a B+/A-

I think I'll email him with the following:


"Hey Professor X,

I'm a current student of yours and future pre-dental applicant. I was wondering if you'd be comfortable in writing a letter of recommendation for me in regards to dental school. Don't worry, they're not due until NEXT May.

If you can, please email me back. Thanks again,


SIGNED"

Hey don't be so shy. Ask for an appt from this prof and you'll be happier that you asked in person. You are asking this prof to spend at least 1 hour of his/her time writing about you. It's more professional to ask in person and this way the prof will ask you right there more questions about yourself. Then make sure you send a thank you card.

 

[suhshi]

It's important that the professor know you on a personal level so he's not just writing about how you got an A in the class. Giving him a resume to go off of and a copy of your personal statement would certainly help. Another option is just to ask the professor if he can meet you for coffee. I met one of my professors for coffee once and he wrote me a glaring letter of recommendation (according to my schools health committee and some adcoms when I interviewed... I didn't actually get to see it). My school actually had a program where you could ask a professor to go to lunch with you to help him or her write you a strong letter of rec... the school would actually pay for it! Not sure if that's a common thing, but you may want to look into that. If not, do what I did... what prof doesn't drink coffee?

i go to Davis

what is this program you are talking about?

 

[old-school]

Just ask your teacher about it. It's a normal part of academics. He has asked for a letter of rec. He will write them for other professors, and if you get into D-school, you will be asked to write them...

 

[Wei87]

Just ask your teacher about it. It's a normal part of academics. He has asked for a letter of rec. He will write them for other professors, and if you get into D-school, you will be asked to write them...

I agree, one of my professors told me that he considers writing rec letters part of his job. I don't think professors will turn you down, unless A) You disrupted his class, failed to attend this class, did poorly to leave a negative impressions on him or B) He's one of those really lazy or rude profs, in which case you probably don't want a letter of rec from him anyway.

Like I said, there's no repercussion to simply asking.

 

[sleepinxlionhar]

I agree, one of my professors told me that he considers writing rec letters part of his job.

I wish that was true in all cases...

 

[Sephisabin]

i go to Davis

what is this program you are talking about?

It's called the PHPAC program. It's available through Health Sciences Administration (This what in one of the rooms in the Silo last I checked, but that was almost 2 years ago). Apparently they changed it since I left, but here is a link to the new program. It's very helpful because they hold on to the letters of rec and send them out at your request. That way you don't have to keep bothering profs for more letters.

http://bunny.ucdavis.edu/studentservices/phpac/aboutthepls.html

Also check out this site for some good info:

http://bunny.ucdavis.edu/advising/hsa/handouts/predental_preparation_ucdavis.html

 

[thegame2388]

Phew. I sent the email; let's see how this works out...