How to get letters of recommendation....when you don't like to brown nose or suck up to professors?

Question

I am planning on applying to dental school in about 2 years, so that means I have 2 years to get to know teachers.

However, I'm a busy girl working in a dental office when I'm not studying hard or in class...so I really don't have the time to 'chill' out with the prof after class and remark how well dressed he is that day..hehe just kiddin.

But seriously, any ideas for me? What did you do? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

You could probably do an internship related to your field of study and get one from your boss after you're done working. If you did a decent job, they won't say not. You worked for free after all.

The second best way is to go to office hours and ask questions. Have the teacher know you in class for asking question. Nearing the end of term just ask them for a letter; most professors will say yes to anyone who got a B or higher in their course.

Answer 2

Stick to objective facts about your relationship that the person signing the letter is qualified to state.
Draft the letter for him or her and ask them to revise an electronic copy; these are busy people.
Never demand or ask to preview the final draft. If you do not trust a person you should not ask him or her for a recommendation letter.
Overstatement should be minimized. Think of a few specifics, and they do not have to be exceptional.
Find ways to participate in activities outside of the classroom to meet potential letter providers.

If you work in a dental office, the dentist is one letter writer (or you had better switch offices fast).

"Chilling" with profs will not yield quality recommendation letters. Identify some activities and invest your time wisely.

If you haven't done this much, let the person you approach know that you are new to this and that your draft will need improvement. Chances are...they went through a similar process at some point.

Answer 3

You will probably have some profs more than once over the next couple of years. Assuming that you've done well in classes, they will remember you. It wouldn't hurt to stop by periodically during office hours and let them know what you're up to.

When I asked for recommendations all I did was go into the profs office and say "I'm applying for _, would you be willing to write me a recommendation?" Nobody said no. You may need to remind them of which classes you've had with them and supply some other information. When I was applying to grad school I generally gave people copies of my resume and statement of purpose.

Answer 4

Well, I don't think you have to "brown nose" at all. Just choose a professor (or more than one) and be up front with them. They should be pleased with the fact that you plan to further your education and should be more than willing to give you a letter of recommendation. And how about the dentist in the office where you work, could/would he/she also give you a letter of recommendation?

Answer 5

I think that as long as you hand in assignments on time for your class most teachers would not mind writing a letter of recommendation. Also you can talk to the Doctors in the office where you work.

Answer 6

Can't you just get the recommendations from someone you work under at the dental office?? That's better than asking some professor you don't know very well.

Answer 7

You don't have to suck up to professors to get letters of recommendations.

Having your academic advisor write a letter of recommendation is always necessary. They know about your grades and how you have been doing academically. If you don't know your academic advisor that well then you need to get to know your advisor. Get the dentist where you work to write a letter of recommendation too. These two should help since it would show the academic and working sides of you.

If you only need two I would go with those two. If you need more than that then get more professors to write letters.

When I was deciding on who to ask I thought about the professors (and staff at the college) who knew me the best. I had my academic advisor write me a letter of recommendation. She had been my advisor all 4 years in college. I also got the first biology professor I had to write me a letter. He had taught me in quite a few of my Biology and Ecology courses. The other professor that wrote me a letter of recommendation had been the one that worked with me on my senior project.

Just think about the professors that have taught you in your courses. Who did you like? Do any of them have a well-known name or reputation? Do any of them know you and your situation? Consider having staff (administrators, campus life, etc.) to write you a letter of recommendation. Especially if you have, at some point in time, been involved in a club or organization.

Answer 8

There are many upstanding professors who will write a letter of recommendation for you based on your academic achievements, rather than on your social skills.You have no guarantee that if you "brown nose these guy, that they will in turn reciprocate. It takes more than a letter of recommendation to get in one of the professional schools, like grades, admissions test scores, and the interview.

Answer 9

If you have any teachers that like you in particular (I have had a few in my 14 years of school) go to them. They would probably be your best bet for getting recommendation letters without having to be a kiss up.

Answer 10

Any professor who sees your merit and talent will be pleased to write a letter for you. You don't need to suck up or brown-nose. Leave that to the talentless ones.