When to contact profs/supervisors for LORs?

[centillion]

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1. Question regarding when is too soon/too late to ask for recs:

As a rising junior in college, I took a history course and did really well this past sophomore fall and had a strong personal connection to my preceptor/TA (who is finishing her PhD and is pursuing teaching positions at other universities next year). My pre-med advisor told me to hold off and to wait until later, like around senior year, to ask the TA for a recommendation letter (I am planning on taking a gap year, so I imagine I would start reaching out to professors my senior spring, correct me if I'm wrong). Is this too late? Would the TA be less familiar with my strengths and qualities about two years out? Should I ask now or is it too soon? Are freshman year teachers or PI's (whom you discontinued working with) weighed less valuable or important?


2. Question regarding how well you have to know a science teacher:
In addition, how well do you have to be known by a science professor from a class, not a PI, to ask for a science rec? I took a science course with about <100 students this past spring and I did the best in course, and given the hands-on nature of the class the teacher knows all of our names and has a good sense of what we're good at. However, I'm not really sure whether doing well and having a positive impression on a professor (we were expected to complete labs, write manuscripts, present info, collaborate) will make for an exceptional or stand-out rec. The professor also had a fairly intimidating personality so we weren't exactly all amigos throughout the semester. Would this be a potentially worthwhile rec to seek out, or should you stick to professors that you have a personal relationship with? Is it okay for me to only have science PI's for my science recs and not a class professor?

Thanks so much!

 

[persumas]

1. Question regarding when is too soon/too late to ask for recs:

Is this too late? Would the TA be less familiar with my strengths and qualities about two years out? Should I ask now or is it too soon? Are freshman year teachers or PI's (whom you discontinued working with) weighed less valuable or important?

I would recommend setting up an Interfolio account and asking them for the letter now. Unless you are keeping in close contact with them and your relationship with them will be stronger in your Senior year, they will likely be able to write you a stronger letter now than they would later. I'm not quite sure if it reflects better or worse. I think as long as all our LORs aren't from our freshman year, and you have some maybe from a Prof or PI closer to your application cycle would definitely be positive since it shows consistency throughout your college career.

1. Question regarding when is too soon/too late to ask for recs:

Would this be a potentially worthwhile rec to seek out, or should you stick to professors that you have a personal relationship with? Is it okay for me to only have science PI's for my science recs and not a class professor?

Hmm, I think it may be worthwhile to ask and keep it as a backup? At least at my university, many of the professors are extremely frank and will tell you if they believe they cannot write a strong LOR for you. (seems harsh, but it is probably the kindest thing they can do)

 

[centillion]

Okay. Thank you! Is it bad to ask over email or should I do it over facebook or phone or...

 

[Mornhavon]

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[persumas]

Definitely, do it in person. For the LOR writers that I was reasonably close to, I asked them if we could grab coffee and talk about potentially writing a letter for me. It worked out well because I think they were able to get a better idea of my background and motivations for pursuing medical school than they would have if I just emailed them with my CV/transcript.

 

[lmn]

Do it in person so that you can ask them if they can write a strong letter or recommendation, and you can see their response. If they agree, but seem reluctant or unsure, then that letter may not be as good as you hope - or may signal you that they may need more information about you to write a good letter, if it's through email, unless they are very upfront, they may agree but you won't see that uncertainty.