What's the point of giving CV to your prof to write a LOR??

[JohnsonJohnson]

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Hello -

I am now in the process of approaching Prof's for LORs for my upcoming application.

Based on what I read on SDN - I e-mailed my prof my transcript, CV, personal statement, and other qualities I want them to add to my letter. I did this to 3 science profs I knew over the years and have met frequently during their office hours - and all 3 basically got back to me saying they will all give me only a strong academic letter - and that they can't comment on thing or circumstances I listed on my CV/personal statement in which they have no first hand knowledge of.

One specifically said that I seem to be a caring, well-rounded individual based on my CV and PS - but cannot comment much on my personal qualities such as interpersonal skills, relations with others...etc etc because he has no observation of me in such setting.

So - what should I do? Graciously accept their strong academic LOR - or is there a link I can send them that gives them a guide on how to integrate other aspects into the LOR??

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[carnelian]

Personally, I think professors are expected to write about you from an academic point of view (unless of course, they know you from outside the classroom). The other aspects (eg. interpersonal relationships, etc.) can come from other recs (eg. research lab, volunteer organization, job, etc.). This is why med school applicants have up to 5-7 LORs (for my school at least), and only half are from academic professors. I don't see the point of writing a guide to help them "integrate the other aspects" -- if they don't know you from those settings, they can't vouch for you about those aspects.

 

[pv515]

Your professors should probably have a stronger sense of who you are if they're gonna write you a letter. Obviously, since you did well in their classes, you are competent academically. Med schools are gonna want to know how you interact in a professional setting and whether your passions are genuine, which your professors can confirm in their LORs. They already know you're smart.

Try to just talk to your professors about more than just their class. Like, REALLY get to know them, and look to them as mentors and people who are important to you. There is a lot more to someone than their technical knowledge, and you should know these things about your professors if you expect to want to know more about you.