Preface: UChicago is probably my top school rn.
Backstory: One day, while doing research at my local university with my professor, he mentioned that our project was approved for presentation at this national conference. He also said that it was a great opportunity for me in particular because I could start networking, and then proceeded to say that he has a colleague from UChicago who will be going, and if I was considering applying there, then my prof could put in a good word about me to this UChicago prof and I could ask him for a rec letter.
Is it weird to ask him for a rec letter for when I apply to UChicago? I mean he would have (hopefully) seen my poster and watched my presentation about the research so he would know I’m competent, but would it help significantly? How would I go about asking him for a rec letter?
I firmly believe that recommendation letters should be written by people who can actually recommend the candidate on a personal basis.
Why not ask your professor to write the letter instead??
Your work at the national conference will certainly be noted. But a letter based on only something the UChicago prof has observed won’t be nearly as convincing as a letter that tells about who you are and what you’re capable of doing.
I’d tell the prof. you appreciate the offer but would prefer if he could write the LOR for you since you worked together directly and he knows you personally.