Trouble finding a teacher for a LOR

[cammmiam]

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I'm bummed I didn't realize I should've planned to get close to a teacher way ahead of time. My application is due Oct 1 to get into the May 2014 term. i'll be finishing my bachelors all the way up until that may, including summer classes.

Now, i emailed my current motor dev teacher who is a coach for special needs kids and she said i could observe her. I then told her if she wanted, i'd like to come a couple times so she could get to know my qualities to be able to fill out a LOR for me. she ignored twice! i know she isn't great at her email, but she sent out a mass class email so that's how i figured. she doesn't really know me on a personal basis or maybe she just plain out doesn't want to do it, but should i ask her in person this week?

i'm desperate. i have to find a teacher between now and summer, since my app is due in october. i have another teacher who is an exercise physiologist and works with obese kids who said i could have a chance to observe her in may. the class i have her with is a much simpler class, Physical activity and preventative medicine. Is there a better way to go about asking without being ignored? (also the reason i want to observe them outside of class is because these classes are relatively easy, i have no idea how they can judge my character when i only have class with them once a week.)



EDIT** great news! she finally emailed me back and said it sounded great and to let her know what i needed! so happy, thank you everyone for the advice!

 

[OhYeahOT]

Hi there Cammmiam,
I was in the same boat a few months ago, trying to decide which teacher I should have write me a LOR. I never really got very close to any of them. From the research and information meetings I have attended at different schools, LOR are very important. It gives the admissions board an insight on much more than what your grades may reflect. It was suggested to me that I choose a teacher whose class I got an A on that way they can attest to your academic capabilities which is why many schools ask for a specific LOR from a professor. They do not need to comment specifically on your character. Ask them in person instead of an email so they can put a face to the name. Also, take with you a short written outline of the class you took with the professor, the grade you got in their class, and the reason why you want to get into OT and hand it to them so they can have this as reference when they are writing your LOR. Teachers do this all the time so most are actually happy that you chose them for such an important part of the graduate admittance process. Much luck to you and keep positive !

 

[2OT15]

I think you should always ask your professors in person, if possible. Give them a face to put with the name -- at worst, it makes it a lot harder for them to say no to you without feeling awkward. To be honest though, I didn't get the best recommendations either; I've never been particularly skilled at getting to know my professors, so when I applied this past cycle, I submitted a range of recommendations from a professor (academic potential), an OT, and an employer (work ethic). I suggest getting as diverse a range as possible, so that the application committee can get a well-rounded picture of who you are.

Also, in my opinion, the personal statement is huge. My GPA was average at best, my GRE scores were decent, and again, my recommendations were nothing mind-blowing. However, I went through great pains to write an excellent statement, and I honesty believe that's what secured me an interview and subsequent acceptance into my program. Good luck!

 

[cammmiam]

I think you should always ask your professors in person, if possible. Give them a face to put with the name -- at worst, it makes it a lot harder for them to say no to you without feeling awkward. To be honest though, I didn't get the best recommendations either; I've never been particularly skilled at getting to know my professors, so when I applied this past cycle, I submitted a range of recommendations from a professor (academic potential), an OT, and an employer (work ethic). I suggest getting as diverse a range as possible, so that the application committee can get a well-rounded picture of who you are.

Also, in my opinion, the personal statement is huge. My GPA was average at best, my GRE scores were decent, and again, my recommendations were nothing mind-blowing. However, I went through great pains to write an excellent statement, and I honesty believe that's what secured me an interview and subsequent acceptance into my program. Good luck!

Any tips for the statement? That's something I hadn't thought about very much! thank you.

 

[cammmiam]

Hi there Cammmiam,
I was in the same boat a few months ago, trying to decide which teacher I should have write me a LOR. I never really got very close to any of them. From the research and information meetings I have attended at different schools, LOR are very important. It gives the admissions board an insight on much more than what your grades may reflect. It was suggested to me that I choose a teacher whose class I got an A on that way they can attest to your academic capabilities which is why many schools ask for a specific LOR from a professor. They do not need to comment specifically on your character. Ask them in person instead of an email so they can put a face to the name. Also, take with you a short written outline of the class you took with the professor, the grade you got in their class, and the reason why you want to get into OT and hand it to them so they can have this as reference when they are writing your LOR. Teachers do this all the time so most are actually happy that you chose them for such an important part of the graduate admittance process. Much luck to you and keep positive !

Any advice if i'm still in their class? I'll definitely use that approach if i end up having to go to my preventative medicine teacher!

 

[ohtee]

I found this article to be quite helpful around applications time:

http://blogs.hbr.org/glickman/2010/04/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-let-1.html

 

[NewtoOT]

It may be too late for you, but if you really want a letter of rec from a certain professor, consider asking them if you might be able to TA for their class the following semester. I did this with my instructor, and after TAing for her, she was able to write about me on a much more personal level. She also was able to write about how I handled my TA position. You can earn credits for being a TA depending on the school which is a plus!

 

[cammmiam]

I found this article to be quite helpful around applications time:

http://blogs.hbr.org/glickman/2010/04/how-to-ask-for-a-reference-let-1.html

thank you! do i tell the teacher beforehand i would like a LOR or do i wait until after i've shadowed them outside of school?

 

[ohtee]

Hmm...personally I waited until after shadowing so my supervisor could see personal strengths.

I agree with NewtoOT, TAing is a wonderful way to get to know your professor (and I thought it was a great experience). You could possibly TA for a summer course?