Who hates asking for LORs?

[smartreader]

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I hate having to ask people for letters of reference. I never now how they are going to react and I feel like an idiot. I never know how to break it to someone that I would like their reference. Anyone feel the same way? I feel like I'm burdening my profs with extra work. Any ideas on how to 'soften the blow' when asking for a reference?

 

[pdmumm]

It's part of their job. Implicit in becoming a college professor is writing LORs for students. So, as long as you have a good grade in the class and have some relationship with the prof. you shouldn't feel at all wierd about asking for one. Unless they are a total dick they should be happy to do it.

 

[dara678]

Originally posted by smartreader
I hate having to ask people for letters of reference. I never now how they are going to react and I feel like an idiot. I never know how to break it to someone that I would like their reference. Anyone feel the same way? I feel like I'm burdening my profs with extra work. Any ideas on how to 'soften the blow' when asking for a reference?

I felt the same way as you when I had to first ask for them. The thing is, you have to do it like peeling off a band-aid; just do it quickly and it won't hurt so much. In medicine, there are going to be tons of things you're not going to like to do in order to progress further in your career, so might as well get used to it now. I'm one of the most timid people when it comes to asking people to do things, but I've learned that sometimes that is the only way I can get to a goal and I have to do it.

 

[Street Philosopher]

it's just like asking someone out for a date

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by dara678
I felt the same way as you when I had to first ask for them. The thing is, you have to do it like peeling off a band-aid; just do it quickly and it won't hurt so much. In medicine, there are going to be tons of things you're not going to like to do in order to progress further in your career, so might as well get used to it now. I'm one of the most timid people when it comes to asking people to do things, but I've learned that sometimes that is the only way I can get to a goal and I have to do it.

nice analogy...😀

i mean it would be nice if you gave them a lot of time in advance to write the letter because they are busy and they do tend to forget about your needs when they are thinking about their own...however if you dont have time to wait for the letters then you do what you gotta do to get them relatively quick. just be real polite about it and be real grateful.