What to say in an email asking for LoR?

[Gauss44]

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I just can't think of how to ask... Can someone recommend a quick email asking a professor who I've only had for one semester for a non-terrible LoR?

Background: I'm getting an A in all of my classes (full time, all solid difficult science courses), but haven't had any of my professors for more than one semester. I am applying in June and just need more LoRs. I'm not looking for a fantastic letter, but also don't want a terrible one. Just an okay one would be a great favor to me. What should I say? I'm totally at a loss for word.. probably a combination of inexperience (haven't asked for many letters before) and worries making it difficult for me to compose this simple email.

 

[Inspired Chaos]

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[Inspired Chaos]

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[Kpw101]

You should not ask yet but ask for a meeting to discuss the possibility of one. Say your experiences, how you enjoyed the class, and your future plans.

"Hi Professor X,

My Name is Kpw101. I am reaching out to you because I really enjoyed your class. Your biology class, as one of my first classes, really brought out my passion for the sciences as well as the inner workings of the human organ systems. It would be amazing if you could put the time aside to talk with me and give me an opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I am applying to medical school in the future and would also love to receive some guidance from you as well as maybe discuss an opportunity for a letter of recommendation. I understand if you are extremely busy as professors are juggling a million things at the same time. If you can however put the time aside, I would be extremely grateful. I hope your semester has been going well and I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Kpw101"

I wrote this in kind of a haste but this is roughly what I've been sending my professors. Are you at a big university? If so professors would understand if you haven't had face to face contact with them and most are happy to sit down and talk to undergraduates. A lot of them are actually extremely willing to help students out! Just come across in your email as grateful because they are taking time out of their own schedule with pretty much no return other than pride that one of their students might get into medical school. None of my professors turned me down for a rec letter with emails like this, even the ones I didn't know that well. Obviously the higher your grades the more likely they are to humor you but YMMV.

 

[TheBiologist]

unless they moved schools or you traveled back home away from the school, ask in person

 

[efle]

Hopefully you would know your writer well enough to stop by and ask in-person

 

[jcorpsmanMD]

Don't email. Go speak to the professor. Case closed!

 

[DokterMom]

Asking in person provides you with the valuable opportunity to gauge the non-verbal tone of his/her response. Don't underestimate the importance of this!

It will also allow your professor to put a face to the name, which could be a pretty big deal for huge lecture classes where the prof otherwise doesn't really know you.