<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I'm a nonscience major but I plan on going to med/dent school. I'm only going to have 1 upper division science class before I apply (biochem) and I was wondering how people usually get LORs from professors of huge classes. I don't know my GSI's that well and I went to OH for only 1 professor (I went consistently but I doubt he even knows my name). What should I do?</p>
<p>It’s usually not preferred that you ask for a rec from those types of classes… but if you feel that your biochem can write you a great letter of rec, then go ahead…</p>
<p>If it’s possible, can you take another upper-div science class? It doesn’t have to be an MCB class, any one that’ll interest you, and where the prof is nice too…</p>
<p>Get to know your GSI. My GSI is awesome, and OMG! I just thought of it…I should ask him to do it! Lol thank you! My work here is done.</p>
<p>@snowflake55: A GSI isn’t a very good choice for a recommender as they aren’t faculty (even though they might know you and your work better). Only ask one if you can’t find ANY professor/lecturer to fulfill the required 3 letter minimum.</p>
<p>^^ ive heard the opposite of this from most Premed counselors, not that i trust them or anything but they said that if a gsi knows more about your personally and shows it in writing it comes off better than if a hotshot prof writes your letter but sounds very generic/unaware of your personality/motivation/etc</p>
<p>of course, best case scenario would be a prof who also knows you well. but if it comes down to a prof who barely knows you vs a gsi who will really vouch for you, go for the gsi</p>
<p><a href=“https://career.berkeley.edu/grad/gradletter.stm#8[/url]”>https://career.berkeley.edu/grad/gradletter.stm#8</a></p>
<p>My GSI really knows me; can I use her letter?</p>
<p>Yes, you can, but as a general rule, it is better to have letters written by professors rather than GSIs. The professor may be in a better position to evaluate you and to compare you to current and previous classes of students. GSIs often write fine letters and frequently write parts or all of letters which professors sign or co-sign. Having a GSI’s letter co-signed by a professor adds to its strength, especially if the professor can add useful comments.</p>
<p>However, it is better to have a strong letter from a GSI than a letter from a professor that says little or nothing. Ultimately, because some graduate schools specifically state that they will only accept letters from professors, it is in your best interest to get to know your professors well enough so that they can write a strong recommendation letter for you.</p>
<p>If you must get a letter from a GSI, strategize with the GSI to have her draft a letter of evaluation, then forward it to the professor, using the pronoun “we” instead of “I.” For example, she could write, “We saw Mr. Conner struggle before the midterm and we were impressed with his tenacity and capacity to master the material.” Then, the letter can be signed by two people on the same line at the bottom of the page.</p>
<p>In addition, sometimes GSIs are willing to provide some written insight or notes to the letter writer so that the letter can be written or finished and signed solely by the faculty member. You will need to give your portfolio to both the GSI and the professor and see how they want to do business.</p>
<p>So what do you do after the GSI writes it and how do you approach them in the first place?</p>