<p>I know it's best not to ask a Teaching Assistant or grad student for a med school LOR, but what about for a Summer internship or program? what should i do if i can't get a good LOR from a professor because i don't know any too well (just finished 1st semester freshman yr)?</p>
<p>could i ask a TA to write it and get the class professor to sign it?</p>
<p>samee question :/</p>
<p>I used one professor, and one grad student LOR for this year’s internships apps. The grad student worked with me doing research this semester, so I figure his input is helpful in that regard. So I would suggest using recommenders that you believe know you well, whether in a strictly academic sense, i.e. a course you had to take, or something research oriented… I believe the admissions committee wants to see what you’ve done, and what people have to say about it in order to gauge your potential.</p>
<p>if i can’t get great teacher recs, am i better off just finding an internship that doesnt ask for them?</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure all internships, at least any I’ve ever come across ask for letters…</p>
<p>Not to mention, many of them have Feb.1st deadlines or so… I would suggest emailing a few professors, TAs, anybody who knows you personally enough to write a letter, and find at LEAST two who are willing to nail one out for you in the next 2 - 3 weeks or so…</p>
<p>can they be from high school teachers at all? (i’m a college freshman - finished 1 semester)</p>
<p>huh i never thought about that. does anyone know/tried that method?</p>
<p>Last year I used my high school research advisor, and my general biology TA, but I didn’t get into the programs I applied to… pretty sure it was because they want applicants with some college experience, either course load wise, or research wise…</p>
<p>Programs want to see faculty or PhD’s in leadership positions write your LORs. The reason: they have experience rating the student as compared to others in the same area. They also know what it takes to make progress in the field.</p>
<p>If you were overseen by a grad student, request a LOR from the PI (faculty) running the lab and mention which grad student oversaw your progress. Likely the faculty member will ask the grad student for the details required to add details to your LOR.</p>