- Joined
- Dec 19, 2013
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I've gotten a lot of compliments over my LORs, even from the schools that rejected me and I've been seeing couple threads where pre-dents are wondering how to go about getting a good LOR so here is how I did it
- If you can, take more than 1 course with the same professor.
- For those courses, attend all office hours.
- Ask good questions, do your research go above and beyond the scope of the class and find research articles or things that are related to the content of the class to show that you are making the effort to show you are genuinely interested, ask questions about those higher level scope topics
- If possible, ask if you can do a mini project/presentation on a topic of the class that you would research on your own and present to a class or during office hours, it shows initiative and that you would take the extra time to learn more about their course and whats important to them
- If possible, ask if you can volunteer in their lab as a lab assistant (initially as unpaid/no course credit of course)
- During these interactions, definitely tell them your goals and plans, be very straightforward about pursuing dentistry
- Ask them for their personal advice/guidance in your process
- Keep in touch with them, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, tell them of every interview, any phone call, any rejection, anything you are considering, their insight is invaluable
that's about it. It's a lot of work but well worth it since a lot of places told me my LORs made up for my shortcomings. When your professors really know you as a person beyond the scope of you being 90th percentile in their class, it speaks volumes, they can vouch for you that you have passion and that you will put in the effort as demonstrated in their classes
way too often, my peers/friends applying to grad schools ask for a letter and then never say thank you when they get in or update anyone of their process and I think that its practically burning a bridge. If things don't work out, these professors who have become invested in you because you have invested in them will be understanding and help rewrite letters or send them to other programs if necessary.
Remember to try to do everything in the list if applicable and you obviously have to be genuinely interested. Hope this helps someone.
- If you can, take more than 1 course with the same professor.
- For those courses, attend all office hours.
- Ask good questions, do your research go above and beyond the scope of the class and find research articles or things that are related to the content of the class to show that you are making the effort to show you are genuinely interested, ask questions about those higher level scope topics
- If possible, ask if you can do a mini project/presentation on a topic of the class that you would research on your own and present to a class or during office hours, it shows initiative and that you would take the extra time to learn more about their course and whats important to them
- If possible, ask if you can volunteer in their lab as a lab assistant (initially as unpaid/no course credit of course)
- During these interactions, definitely tell them your goals and plans, be very straightforward about pursuing dentistry
- Ask them for their personal advice/guidance in your process
- Keep in touch with them, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, tell them of every interview, any phone call, any rejection, anything you are considering, their insight is invaluable
that's about it. It's a lot of work but well worth it since a lot of places told me my LORs made up for my shortcomings. When your professors really know you as a person beyond the scope of you being 90th percentile in their class, it speaks volumes, they can vouch for you that you have passion and that you will put in the effort as demonstrated in their classes
way too often, my peers/friends applying to grad schools ask for a letter and then never say thank you when they get in or update anyone of their process and I think that its practically burning a bridge. If things don't work out, these professors who have become invested in you because you have invested in them will be understanding and help rewrite letters or send them to other programs if necessary.
Remember to try to do everything in the list if applicable and you obviously have to be genuinely interested. Hope this helps someone.
