Should I ask for an LOR from a professor whose class I took pass/no-pass?

[agun77]

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I took a political science course on Varieties of Capitalism last semester and greatly enjoyed the subject material; although I'm a biology/public health double major, I'd say that Varieties of Capitalism was one of the most influential courses I've ever taken. I went to the professor's office hours a couple of times to discuss history and political economy, and I've been thinking about asking him for an LOR. However, I chickened out after the midterm and switched my grading option to pass/no-pass, and I would've gotten an A- in the class had I taken it for a letter grade. Given that the professor will almost certainly see my transcript (I mean, it's standard practice for recommenders, after all) and notice the P grade if I ask him for an LOR, should I bother to ask? Would the grade be an issue?

 

[rufflev]

I took a political science course on Varieties of Capitalism last semester and greatly enjoyed the subject material; although I'm a biology/public health double major, I'd say that Varieties of Capitalism was one of the most influential courses I've ever taken. I went to the professor's office hours a couple of times to discuss history and political economy, and I've been thinking about asking him for an LOR. However, I chickened out after the midterm and switched my grading option to pass/no-pass, and I would've gotten an A- in the class had I taken it for a letter grade. Given that the professor will almost certainly see my transcript (I mean, it's standard practice for recommenders, after all) and notice the P grade if I ask him for an LOR, should I bother to ask? Would the grade be an issue?

I don't think the grade will be much of an issue if the professor can speak highly of your academic potential and/or interests in medicine. Keep in mind that most schools prefer to see three letters of recommendations (1 physician and two science faculty or a committee letter), of which may not include this one because it's a non-science letter. That said, it's always nice to have a strong letter of recommendation on hand, especially for the schools that accept non-science faculty letters.

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

Keep in mind that most schools prefer to see three letters of recommendations (1 physician and two science faculty or a committee letter)

I have never come across an MD school that recommended or required a letter from a physician.

 

[rufflev]

I have never come across an MD school that recommended or required a letter from a physician.

After speaking to adcoms last year, I recall that a majority of the schools in Texas (MD/DO) recommended that a physician letter be submitted as well. That said, I don't know of any MD schools that require a physician LoR. I know it is absolutely necessary for DO schools.

 

[Disciple of Sattar]

Ah, that's probably why. I have no experience with Texas schools.