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jumpojumpo wrote:Dilemmas:

1) Don't feel comfortable asking fall semester profs for a letter.
Footnote: grades were good, but not #1 in the class, didn't have a solid relationship with my A grade profs, but had excellent relationships w/ A- grade profs. Don't want to ask A- profs for a recc. because I'm thinking the letter might not have the "he's the best we have to offer, please take him" tinge to it.

2) Have performed really well in class discussion this semester and have a very good relationship with the prof.

3) But need to get these damn LORs written and she won't know my grade for the class until laaaate May.

Anyone with a similar experience, or, general thoughts from people getting LORs right now?

If I do ask her I'll probably bring tons of stuff for her to look at (resume, transfer essay... maybe a writing sample from LRW?) Ideas on how to approach this?

THANK YOU!

I know that is seems odd to ask a teacher who you had in the fall but overall I think it is the best idea. It will allow you to get the letter before you leave school for the spring, and will avoid an email ask to your current professor. Which they can totally avoid since they won't see you everyday. I went to my K professor (granted I did get the book award) and it wasn't awkward at all. He didn't really know me, but knew I did well in the class but I don't think the relationship you have really matters.

I would set up a meeting with the coolest teacher for which you had the highest grade. Send them an email saying I wanted to get some advice on my career from you. Have the LSAC form ready and just ask.

Hope this helps good luck!!

Don't ask a professor that you have this semester unless you had him/her last semester and got an A. Also, before asking your A- professors, I would go to the A professors just to get their thoughts. If they don't seem to approve of transferring or are cold to you when you talk to them, and act like they wouldn't write you a positive letter, then go to the A- professors.

I can't imagine that a LOR from an A- prof would be a bad thing.

Cupidity wrote:I can't imagine that a LOR from an A- prof would be a bad thing.

I can guarantee that it's not.

What matters most is really solid, personalized recs. The difference between an A and an A- matters a lot less than whether the prof actually knows who the hell you are (and whether that's a good thing).

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jumpojumpo wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

Cupidity wrote:I can't imagine that a LOR from an A- prof would be a bad thing.

I can guarantee that it's not.

What matters most is really solid, personalized recs. The difference between an A and an A- matters a lot less than whether the prof actually knows who the hell you are (and whether that's a good thing).

Does this mean you'd go with the spring semester teacher who knows you over the fall semester ones who don't?

Thanks for the advice all.

jumpojumpo wrote:but had excellent relationships w/ A- grade profs.

He means ask the A- ones bc they know you

jumpojumpo wrote:Does this mean you'd go with the spring semester teacher who knows you over the fall semester ones who don't?

govorett wrote:He means ask the A- ones bc they know you

vanwinkle wrote: What matters most is really solid, personalized recs. The difference between an A and an A- matters a lot less than whether the prof actually knows who the hell you are (and whether that's a good thing).

+1. The prof will write the rec based on your class participation and your discussions with him in his office hours. The idea with recs is to allow the transfer school to get a feel for what the student is capable of outside of that 3 hour exam.

Should one look to get letters of rec before finals or just wait till after finals?

I got the best letter ever from my Spring prof a month into class. He and I just really hit it off, and he could tell I was smart. Besides that, he saw my GPA from first semester. Combining his knowledge of me from personal and professional conversations with the objective GPA info was more than enough to make him happy to write a letter.

I'm in a similar position, and any feedback would be very much appreciated. I actually need two LORs from members of the law faculty for some of the schools I'm applying to. I'm planning to ask my LRW prof. for the first one and am confident she'll be willing to write a very strong letter.

I didn't utilize office hours as much as I should have last semester, and the one professor I have in mind from the fall who could possibly write the second one not only has a longstanding history with the school, but is in a very high-ranked position there as well (thus, I'm worried there would be a high conflict of interest). Conversely, I've really bonded with one of my professors in particular from this semester and have seen him privately in office hours many times. I'm just worried about having him write it without a grade in his course first.

I suppose another option is waiting until after grades come out (seems like this would really be pushing it time wise, though), but I'm working out of state this summer and would like the opportunity to meet with them in person if possible. Thoughts?

CAHopeful wrote:I'm in a similar position, and any feedback would be very much appreciated. I actually need two LORs from members of the law faculty for some of the schools I'm applying to. I'm planning to ask my LRW prof. for the first one and am confident she'll be willing to write a very strong letter.

I didn't utilize office hours as much as I should have last semester, and the one professor I have in mind from the fall who could possibly write the second one not only has a longstanding history with the school, but is in a very high-ranked position there as well (thus, I'm worried there would be a high conflict of interest). Conversely, I've really bonded with one of my professors in particular from this semester and have seen him privately in office hours many times. I'm just worried about having him write it without a grade in his course first.

I suppose another option is waiting until after grades come out (seems like this would really be pushing it time wise, though), but I'm working out of state this summer and would like the opportunity to meet with them in person if possible. Thoughts?

If the choice is between a professor from fall who barely knows you, and one from spring who you feel you have a great connection with, I'd take the latter. Take my opinion with a grain of salt, since I'm a 1L in the same boat with you. But I think if all a professor is going to talk about is how you wrote a great exam, that's not the best option, since they will already know you wrote a great exam from your transcript.

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have an opinion on which would be the better option for me:

Prof A - Knows me very well, have talked one-on-one a number of times about my goals, etc. Got an 'A' in the class.

Prof B - Doesn't know me as well, and haven't talked to Prof. B in a couple of months. Chatted with Prof B. after class a few times, but didn't do much office hours. Also got an 'A' in this class, but Prof B said mine was the "highest 'A'." My school doesn't have CALI awards, so having Prof B write a letter would be the only way to let schools know this.

Why not get LOR's from both?

True... I didn't mention Prof C, who already is writing a letter. I guess there's no harm in getting three, other than overcoming my own laziness.

Wholigan wrote:True... I didn't mention Prof C, who already is writing a letter. I guess there's no harm in getting three, other than overcoming my own laziness.

Better to ask earlier than later. Mine aren't into LSAC yet and I already gave my profs the forms weeks ago.