When to ask for recommendation letter?

[stardreamergurl]

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Hello!

I was just wondering about when to ask for a recommendation letter. I haven't applied through Pharmcas ever, but I will start applying this summer/fall, so I do not know the procedures for letters.

I did well in my orgo chem class and went to a fair amount of office hours, so I feel like it might be a good one from this professor. But is it too early to ask? Do they have to submit it through Pharmcas? I guess I am just concerned if they forgot about me when I do ask next fall.

 

[gtpmle]

I would ask the professor if they'd feel comfortable writing you one later on. The application for next cycle doesn't open until June of this year (I think?) and I think if you start putting any info in now it will be wiped out and you'll have to start over then. Just lay the groundwork with the prof now for a future reference, and ask them when the 2012-13 application is available. Hope that helps 🙂

 

[stardreamergurl]

yes it does! thanks!

 

[PharmacyWarrior]

I would ask professors at the end of the term, like immediately after you hand in your finals. You should know what you are going to get by that time and they tend to promise you because they have to quickly collect your exams and monitor others. That what I did and ended up with a lot of LORs.

Make sure you keep in contact with them after the term. Pretend to drop by to say hello or write emails wishing them happy holidays so they won't forget you.

 

[becrac]

Check with your school - I know my school has something where they will hold your letters of rec for you. I'm not sure exactly how it works because I didn't use it, but if your school has something like that then you might be able to get one now! If not, I would recommend waiting until the end of the semester, when it is closer to application time. Just make sure you keep in contact with him/her! Good luck!

 

[silensui]

I think it never hurts to ask as soon as possible. I asked a professor that I took towards the end of Spring Quarter last year, and told him I needed my LoR by September (was trying to make the early tiers for U of the Pacific at the time), but he didn't get around to finishing it until almost mid-October. Needless to say, between the period from when Pharmcas opened in June and when he finally sent that letter off in mid-October, I was completely panicking over the fact that he would even finish the letter at all! You can always ask them to hold the letter until Pharmcas opens. Just leave yourself enough time to ask another professor, if necessary. 🙂