<p>What are some general tips for getting quality letter of recommendations? </p>
<p>I am going to be a junior this year, so I will be apply to schools soon and I will need to start requesting for recommendation letters. Through my internship and a few programs offered at my school, I was able to develop relationships with people who are qualified to write good letters (professors, researchers. etc.) Those people are definitely more than willing to help me by writing me letters. However, I feel like it would be almost out of sheer generosity and "because i know you" kinda thing for them to write me a letter. The problem is that the aforementioned internship and programs are over. My PI and other professors have told me to keep in contact with them even after the programs had ended; I too think it would be a good idea. The problem is this: I have no idea how to approach them again! </p>
<p>E-mail seems to be their preferred method of communication. It is easy to e-mail them, but it is hard to think of what to write. I do not think idle chatter would amuse them, but it is difficult to talk about their topics of interest which happens to be their profession. I could attempt to discuss their current research projects with them, but in all honesty all attempts I have made to do so simply reveals to them how little I understand the subject. </p>
<p>So yeah, what are some good tips I can use to help fortify a more developed relationship with my PI and professors?</p>
<p>Haven’t been in your situation but I would think that you should e-mail them and be candid about your needs. Then, make the task of writing a recommendation easy for them by providing them with all the needed information–your accomplishments, goals, and interests.</p>
<p>Are you asking how to keep in touch with professors? Or are you asking how to ask for Letter of recommendation?</p>
<p>To keep in touch, I think it would be better to just drop by the lab/internship site and say hi and ask how whatever project you worked on is coming along. Ask them what’s new in the lab. Reseachers are almost always happy to talk about their projects. (Unless they’re screaming busy and under deadlines–then say goodbye and come back another time.)</p>
<p>With profs, drop by their office hours even though you’re no longer in their class and just say hi. Maybe chat a bit about what courses you’re taking right now. Let the conversation develop organically.</p>
<p>When it comes to LORs, ask first if they’re willing to write a “strong” letter of recommendation. If they say yes, thank them, tell them the approx dates you’ll need the letter and include an updated CV with an explanation of what you’e been doing lately. Offer to supply anything else they’ll need. Some profs may ask to see your personal statement, a transcript, your senior thesis/senior thesis proposal (if you have one), MCAT score, list of volunteer activities or other information to help them write the letter.</p>
<p>My son will be applying next year. He thought to ask a few professors and his PI, but he’s dragging his feet about asking. So far, he’s “talked about it” with them (or they offered to write one), but they didn’t discuss any specifics. He tells me his UG advises students to make this request sometime in the spring, but I worried (as I usually do) that waiting until the springtime is too late. Maybe waiting would be beneficial if he hadn’t already selected people or didn’t want the LoRs to look old, but isn’t waiting until spring very late?</p>
<p>D2 asked for her LORs in very early spring (Feb–as soon as she had her MCAT score). 4 of 5 her LOR writers (all except her non-science prof) had letters uploaded to Interfolio before AMCAS opened on June 8th. No problems. The laggard finally submitted the letter mid-June–but still AMCAS hadn’t verified D2 by then so still not a problem. </p>
<p>The bigger issue is her health professions committee–they don’t send letters out until mid-August.</p>
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<p>And your son should check with his health professions committee–they sometimes have specific requirements about when supporting letters should be written.</p>
<p>Thank you for the great advice. And yeah, I am asking how to keep in touch with my professor so when the time comes it would be easier to ask for a LoR. I don’t want to be abrupt about it and make my professors think I am just treating them like stepping stones. </p>
<p>Another thing, is it a good idea or not to bring company? I was thinking of asking my co-worker to visit our internship supervisor with me so it would be easier on my nerves.</p>
<p>You could invite previous co-workers, but make sure your companion doesn’t ‘outshine’ you. Otherwise the PI is likely to remember the other guy came by–not you.</p>
<p>Son asked for his LORs in April-May of this year. Whom to ask a letter from was a source of some heated discussions between my son and I. He was very particular about who he wanted to ask. He didn’t want to ask a prof for an LOR just because he got an A/A+ in his class. He wanted to make sure that the prof knew him well and according to him going to the office ours was not a good way to know the prof. He worked as a TA for one his letter writers. His PIs from two areas he did research in and his volunteering organization’s head were the other letter writers for him.</p>
<p>All of his letters were deposited into veCollect by mid June. Committee packet is entirely different matter. His committee packet is apparently done, but not uploaded yet. If he doesn’t make it into the large batch to be uploaded this Friday, its going to be Aug 17th at the earliest.</p>