Should I try to get a LOR from this teacher?

[DOwnage]

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In 1 of my prereqs for med school, I was getting a strong A, close to 100%. On the final exam, I didn't do so hot because I had to focus on the other classes that didn't have as strong of grades, but I still ended up with a 95 in the class.

Do you think it's worth asking this teacher for a LOR even though the trend is obviously downward counting the final exam?

 

[PED05]

In 1 of my prereqs for med school, I was getting a strong A, close to 100%. On the final exam, I didn't do so hot because I had to focus on the other classes that didn't have as strong of grades, but I still ended up with a 95 in the class.

Do you think it's worth asking this teacher for a LOR even though the trend is obviously downward counting the final exam?

Go for it man. I asked for a LOR from one of the infamous so called A-holes at my university. I got an A in his orgo lecture and his lab. Turns out he wrote a great letter so I am told. The thing is.....don't wait and think about it because it takes a while for some of these professors to write a letter with their busy schedules. Go ask and if he/she does great....if not ask someone else. I wouldn't take things personally if they say no, you have a career and so do they. Just use a professional demeanor when dealing with people and more often than not if you are worthy they will help you.

 

[TriagePreMed]

In 1 of my prereqs for med school, I was getting a strong A, close to 100%. On the final exam, I didn't do so hot because I had to focus on the other classes that didn't have as strong of grades, but I still ended up with a 95 in the class.

Do you think it's worth asking this teacher for a LOR even though the trend is obviously downward counting the final exam?

Of course. Most professors design their finals to be longer and harder while all their colleagues do the same. They understand some people get nervous in finals, don't do as well as before, etc.

If you have no relationship with this professor outside of class, I would think his letter will be weak, but I don't think the professor will deny you one.

 

[drpierre]

In 1 of my prereqs for med school, I was getting a strong A, close to 100%. On the final exam, I didn't do so hot because I had to focus on the other classes that didn't have as strong of grades, but I still ended up with a 95 in the class.

Do you think it's worth asking this teacher for a LOR even though the trend is obviously downward counting the final exam?

I definitely would get one, Professors tend to know that at the end of the year the focus for finals tends to shift towards the courses you need to work on. If you were doing great the whole year he expects some slack.

 

[dexs]

Definitely ask for a letter. Don't worry about the final, if the professor knows you they will right a good a letter.

I got a letter from a prof who's class I only had a B+ in but I'd worked with him in the lab and he wrote a great letter.

Professors want you to get into med school and for the most part will write flattering letters.

 

[drctother]

Ya....so let me be the first to point out a HUGE mistake you just made. DO NOT address your PROFESSOR as a TEACHER. Huge difference. You will offend the **** out of them if you use the words teacher

 

[cbrons]

Ya....so let me be the first to point out a HUGE mistake you just made. DO NOT address your PROFESSOR as a TEACHER. Huge difference. You will offend the **** out of them if you use the words teacher

docbuzzard, not everyone is as easily offended as you 🙂

 

[TriagePreMed]

Ya....so let me be the first to point out a HUGE mistake you just made. DO NOT address your PROFESSOR as a TEACHER. Huge difference. You will offend the **** out of them if you use the words teacher

Not everyone is anal. My chemistry professor calls himself teacher sometimes.

 

[Dr Yiot]

Yes ask for the letter. And to triages post about professors and how they make their final exams.......that's what she said

 

[drctother]

docbuzzard, not everyone is as easily offended as you 🙂

Fine be that way meany😛

 

[DOwnage]

Thank you all for the advice, I'll seek out that letter!

 

[scpod]

....Do you think it's worth asking this teacher for a LOR even though the trend is obviously downward counting the final exam?

While it may be a little late for you in this case, it brings up an interesting point. Part of you "job" as a premed is to get good letters of recommendation. It really is mostly a formailty, but it can be harder than you think, and often takes a lot longer than you could ever imagine. Some professors take forever and ever, even with you hasseling them, to get these things done. So... you really have to plan ahead.

What do you do then? You have to play this thing like it is a game. You know that you will need letters from non-science and science professors, so you need to actually start "cultivating" them from the beginning of class.

1) You need to be active and participate in class.
2) You need to ask questions on the way out the door or ake comments so that they get familiar with you.
3) You need to drop by during office hours to talk about projects and assignments.
4) You need to email them with questions or problems, even if you don't have any.
5) You need to show up on time, every day, and pay attention.
6) You need to do well in the class.

I've talked to a quite a few professors who laughed about people that made B's and C's in their classes and asked for recommendations. They also comment about students who they never even knew who asked for recommedations. This part of your application can be a formaity but it really does count-- and one negative recommedation could keep you out of any school. Geting LORs is like a job and you've got to spend a fair amount of time to get good ones.

 

[DOwnage]

I think outside of this one grade, I positioned myself well for a letter of recommendation, since I considered much of what you said ahead of time. But would a professor really write someone a negative letter if you purposely asked for a "strong" letter? I mean, wouldn't it be implied that if you asked for a strong letter, you're asking for them to be able to write you a positive letter with no hints of negativity or write no letter at all?

While it may be a little late for you in this case, it brings up an interesting point. Part of you "job" as a premed is to get good letters of recommendation. It really is mostly a formailty, but it can be harder than you think, and often takes a lot longer than you could ever imagine. Some professors take forever and ever, even with you hasseling them, to get these things done. So... you really have to plan ahead.

What do you do then? You have to play this thing like it is a game. You know that you will need letters from non-science and science professors, so you need to actually start "cultivating" them from the beginning of class.

1) You need to be active and participate in class.
2) You need to ask questions on the way out the door or ake comments so that they get familiar with you.
3) You need to drop by during office hours to talk about projects and assignments.
4) You need to email them with questions or problems, even if you don't have any.
5) You need to show up on time, every day, and pay attention.
6) You need to do well in the class.

I've talked to a quite a few professors who laughed about people that made B's and C's in their classes and asked for recommendations. They also comment about students who they never even knew who asked for recommedations. This part of your application can be a formaity but it really does count-- and one negative recommedation could keep you out of any school. Geting LORs is like a job and you've got to spend a fair amount of time to get good ones.

 

[deleted357625]

At the most you can have 5 LOR's
3 of them which mainly should come from 2 physicians and 1 science faculty and i would assume the 2 left can come from anyone else, so go for it.