<p>Is it appropriate to ask for a letter of recommendation over email instead of in person? </p>
<p>I have heard that asking them in person is better because it leaves an impression. However, could I arrange for a meeting in my thank you response to achieve this?</p>
<p>I have also heard that it is better to ask in person to check out the recommender's facial expressions, tone, and whatnot. However, it seems to me like professors would be very frank in their emails.</p>
<p>If you have the choice between the two, always ask in person – for exactly the reasons you said. They’re doing you a favor, the least you could do is talk to them face to face.</p>
<p>If you have no other option (say a professor left for another institution or something), email or phone calls are fine of course. But if you see the person multiple times a week, there’s no reason you cant stop in and ask them.</p>
<p>Does the same go for asking for a reference (i.e. asking if you can put their name and contact number on an application for an award, med school, etc.)?
But what if you’re shy?</p>
<p>It’s always best to ask in person whether it’s for a LOR or for references. If you are asking for a refence from someone they should know you enough that you shouldn’t be shy around them. You will most likely ask someone who you like, you know well, and get along with (and them you), so they probably wouldn’t have a problem with you putting their name down.</p>
<p>Use e-mail to schedule an appointment to talk about an LOR request; the e-mail should say that this is what the appointment is for. You’re effectively asking via e-mail, but officially doing so in person.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, I did something similar to what BDM suggested. I sent out a letter starting with “I liked your class, did well, blah blah” and asked if they would be willing to meet with me to discuss my “career goals.” I still haven’t gotten a reply yet, I think I’ll follow up my request in person if I don’t get a response in 2 or so days. Should I have been more blunt in my email?</p>
<p>Yeah, I would have. The meeting you’re suggesting sounds like a very low-priority and kind of time-intensive one. An LOR request meeting is relatively high priority and pretty quick.</p>
<p>It’s okay; from this point forward your plan sounds probably about right. Be more blunt in the follow-up, if a follow-up proves necessary.</p>