<p>This semester in my chemistry class...I had a very interesting experience. At the beginning of the semester, my friend and I were called out for writing notes to each other during lecture (I was being immature yeah I know). We promptly both apologized to the professor for our rude behavior. Then, on the first test, I did not do as well as I hoped and made a C. Now, normally, due to the situation described I would not even THINK about asking this professor for a recommendation. However, after this first exam I made an A on every assignment and exam, and ended up making an A in the class. After the 2nd of 3 midterm exams, my professor e-mailed me to congratulate me on my progress from the first to second exams, and after the course was over, my professor e-mailed me again to thank me for my hard work in his class and to congratulate me on making an A. He also sent my parents a handwritten note informing them of my performance and telling them that he thought that I had a bright future ahead of me, et cetera (I thought this was very nice). My questions: In spite of the incident in the beginning of the semester, would I be alright if I asked my professor for a LOR? If so, should I ask him now (I'm a rising sophomore in college) or closer to the application cycle?</p>
<p>Yes, this sounds like an excellent professor to ask for an LOR. Let him know that you’ll ask for one in a couple years; if he thinks it’d be easier to write it now (and save it), you’d be thrilled to provide him with a transcript, resume, and anything else he might find helpful.</p>
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Wow, just wow. I’m going to be a senior and I’ve never had such a prof in my entire undergrad career. No prof ever emailed me to congratulate me on something even when I did well and went to office hours often. Was the chemistry class small so that the prof could know almost everyone? I don’t think there is any such prof at my public undergrad. Do you go to a private or Ivy school?</p>