Should I take this LOR?

[stc190]

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Hello, guys. I just asked a general biology course professor to write me a LOR but she said that this letter will only about I got An A in her class and what I have learnt from her class, nothing about my personality or anything else because she doesn't remember me. So it will not be a stronge recommendation letter, should I take this letter? I had a professor I took two classes with, those classes are Microbiology and Human physiology. I got both As in the classes, but the professor left! Can't find her.... And I got Bs on other biology courses that I have took. Can't ask LOR from the classes I got Bs. I am junior this year, I will take more biology course before I graduate, but the application cycle is coming, I don't have other biology professor to write LOR. So stressful! So far, one chemistry professor will write me one and a dentist will write me one as well. I am sure the one from the dentist will be a good one( I have shadowed him more 100 hours, he asked me if I need any thing from him like a LOR before I ask. ) He is nice. And I also can get one LOR from my employor who know me well but not academic evaluation. So, should I just take the LOR from the biology professor and have my employor to write my personality and abilities?

 

[midman19]

No don't get one from her. I was in the same boat as you. I did not have any biology teachers to write me a letter. I had one of the teachers from my major (Exercise Science) write one instead because she knew me very well. Make sure to check with the schools you'll be applying to and see what their specific requirements are. Some of them require two science professors and some say one science professor and one other professor. If so, then get another professor who knows you to write one. If the majority of them say you need two science professors, then do everything you can to track that teacher down that you took two classes from. Google him/her, look on facebook, linkedin, etc. If you can't find him/her, then try to get one from another biology professor. Good luck, I am sure you will figure it out!

 

[stc190]

No don't get one from her. I was in the same boat as you. I did not have any biology teachers to write me a letter. I had one of the teachers from my major (Exercise Science) write one instead because she knew me very well. Make sure to check with the schools you'll be applying to and see what their specific requirements are. Some of them require two science professors and some say one science professor and one other professor. If so, then get another professor who knows you to write one. If the majority of them say you need two science professors, then do everything you can to track that teacher down that you took two classes from. Google him/her, look on facebook, linkedin, etc. If you can't find him/her, then try to get one from another biology professor. Good luck, I am sure you will figure it out!

Thanks for your reply. I am going to ask the professor from my Immunology class. Even I got B+ instead of A, but I think she know me well. And I took her class last semester, I went to her office hours, she remembers me. Do you think it is better to get the letter of recommendation from the teacher who knows you well but you had B in her class, or get LOR from the A class that the professor don't even remember you?

 

[midman19]

I would say that is better. She doesn't have to explicitly say you got a b+ in the class. She can say you did well and participated, etc. And talk about your character...

 

[cmroberts]

What about Organic Chemistry professors? Physics? Science doesn't necessarily equate to Biology! 🙂

Also, I told my professors that I want to meet with them for coffee so I can tell them about myself and why I want to go to dental school. Suggest to that one professor that you would like her to get to know you more. Couldn't hurt 🙂

 

[irishmom]

You don't need to ask only the teachers you got an A from. My best letter was from an Ochem teacher that I got a B from. Because I struggled I was constantly in his office asking questions. He knew me and was able to write about me...not just my grade. There were over 100 in that class, and he knew me by name and would call on me in class because of that.

 

[stc190]

You don't need to ask only the teachers you got an A from. My best letter was from an Ochem teacher that I got a B from. Because I struggled I was constantly in his office asking questions. He knew me and was able to write about me...not just my grade. There were over 100 in that class, and he knew me by name and would call on me in class because of that.

What about Organic Chemistry professors? Physics? Science doesn't necessarily equate to Biology! 🙂

Also, I told my professors that I want to meet with them for coffee so I can tell them about myself and why I want to go to dental school. Suggest to that one professor that you would like her to get to know you more. Couldn't hurt 🙂

Because one of the school I will apply need a LOR from biological professor. This make me so struggle. I also will ask a LOR from my Ochem Professor. Already registered DAT in May, but I think I better reschedule it to mid June. So many things need to be done now. So many HW from the classes I am taking this semester. Don't feel I have enough time to study. Still working on personal statement. Do you guys think take DAT in June kind of late?

What other classes you have taken in college? humanities, social science, etc. Sometimes humanities and social science professors give the best recommendations.
Also read one of the post I wrote last year about taking control of your LOR
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/take-control-of-your-letter-of-recommendation.1070338/

Don't take many biology classes, but I will ask one form ocher my professor.
Thank you all for advising.

 

[sjv]

Do you guys think take DAT in June kind of late?

Not at all, July is fine too.

 

[mordred]

To find the professor you lost track of, ask the admin assistant for the dept. chair if they have forwarding/contact info on file. Be straight up about why, and lay on the charm. I have found these "gatekeepers" to be invaluable in many ways if approached the right way.

 

[irishmom]

I ook the DAT on Aug 8. Was originally scheduled to take it in June...did not feel ready so rescheduled it o August...go accepted to my #1 school, Ohio State, and Creighton...waitlisted to Case and Louisville.

 

[Chga]

This was several years a go, a dentist I knew told me that "it wasnt going to be a strong letter" did such a terrible job, he told me to get one of those forms from TMDSAS that allows the recommender to rate the applicant. I didn't get to see it since I had signed a paper that said "the letter will not be disclosed to me". But I did get a glimpse of it from far, seems like he spent about 20 seconds on writing it. It was obvious that he didn't want to spend the time. I got another dentist and he did an excellent job.
My advice is to work hard and do some undergrad research, those are usually "independent study" classes. Those will get you an excellent recommendation letter if you tell the professor from the beginning that you want one of those.

 

[stc190]

To find the professor you lost track of, ask the admin assistant for the dept. chair if they have forwarding/contact info on file. Be straight up about why, and lay on the charm. I have found these "gatekeepers" to be invaluable in many ways if approached the right way.

I just found out that the professor currently teaching in community college... My school is a credential four years university. Don't know what happen to her. Should I get a LOR from the teacher who teaches in community college? I don't know if this matters.

 

[stc190]

This was several years a go, a dentist I knew told me that "it wasnt going to be a strong letter" did such a terrible job, he told me to get one of those forms from TMDSAS that allows the recommender to rate the applicant. I didn't get to see it since I had signed a paper that said "the letter will not be disclosed to me". But I did get a glimpse of it from far, seems like he spent about 20 seconds on writing it. It was obvious that he didn't want to spend the time. I got another dentist and he did an excellent job.
My advice is to work hard and do some undergrad research, those are usually "independent study" classes. Those will get you an excellent recommendation letter if you tell the professor from the beginning that you want one of those.

Thanks for your advice. My problem is that I am applying this coming cycle, so don't have time to do research before the deadline.

 

[midman19]

I just found out that the professor currently teaching in community college... My school is a credential four years university. Don't know what happen to her. Should I get a LOR from the teacher who teaches in community college? I don't know if this matters.

Yes this is fine. Just tell her to mention she taught you at the university you are attending.