What responses have you gotten to LOR requests?

_oshun1_

One professor who I took 2 classes with, never went to office hours, never really talked to him on a personal level, sent me a very enthused email saying he would gladly write a letter for me, "and a good one," because he well remembered my "excellent" performance in class. He said just send me the upload link and I dont need a resume or anything from you.*edit - he just now submitted my LOR. I asked last night and he already submitted it this morning.

Another professor who I took one class with, went to office hours, participated in class discussions, got over 95% on all the exams, talked to on a personal level (we're both from the same country)...said she would be happy to write me a letter..."I usually require a months notice so I should be able to get it submitted by December". She asked for a "statement of purpose" and for a writing sample from her class. I took her class over a year ago and the papers were all handwritten in class exams so I don't have copies.

Should I just keep asking professors until I find one who responds with similar enthusiasm as the first one? I'm worried her response asking for so many docs means she won't write a good letter...and not sure if it's a good idea to throw together a paper from my old class notes... maybe I'm reading into it too much

Victoria14

Yes and no. Go ahead and explain to the professor that you don't have any writing samples from her class, but here is a piece from a similar course. You understand though if that would not work for her.

I also think you should reach out to a few more professors and see if they would be willing.

LCMama2017

@"surfy surf" said:
One professor who I took 2 classes with, never went to office hours, never really talked to him on a personal level, sent me a very enthused email saying he would gladly write a letter for me, "and a good one," because he well remembered my "excellent" performance in class. He said just send me the upload link and I dont need a resume or anything from you.*edit - he just now submitted my LOR. I asked last night and he already submitted it this morning.

Another professor who I took one class with, went to office hours, participated in class discussions, got over 95% on all the exams, talked to on a personal level (we're both from the same country)...said she would be happy to write me a letter..."I usually require a months notice so I should be able to get it submitted by December". She asked for a "statement of purpose" and for a writing sample from her class. I took her class over a year ago and the papers were all handwritten in class exams so I don't have copies.

Should I just keep asking professors until I find one who responds with similar enthusiasm as the first one? I'm worried her response asking for so many docs means she won't write a good letter...and not sure if it's a good idea to throw together a paper from my old class notes... maybe I'm reading into it too much

Actually - I'd be more leery of the professor who submitted a letter the next day he was asked for one! That to me says "form letter". I would prefer a professor like the second one who will take the time to review your past history and write you a more personalized letter. This is what I did for one of my professors - I went to visit him personally, gave him a copy of my resume, summary of my personal statements and within a few weeks he had written a very good and personal LOR.

Alex

FWIW, I also had a very close professor asks me for those things. I think it may just be process. It ended up being a very enthusiastic letter!

_oshun1_

@Victoria14 that's a good idea, I dont think I will be able to find something even remotely similar to the class. It was an avant garde art class for a specific period of time from a specific country. I took a film class and animation class but it was also handwritten in class exams. All I have left from school is philosophy papers as that was my major. I think i'll just base who I'm asking on what papers I still have saved

Victoria14

@"surfy surf" said:
@Victoria14 that's a good idea, I dont think I will be able to find something even remotely similar to the class. It was an avant garde art class for a specific period of time from a specific country. I took a film class and animation class but it was also handwritten in class exams. All I have left from school is philosophy papers as that was my major. I think i'll just base who I'm asking on what papers I still have saved

Happy to help! Also attach your PS, sometimes they are happy with that as well.

_oshun1_

@Victoria14 honestly I'm still not done with my PS. I'm hoping I get another professor who just writes based off my academic achievement
@LCMama2017 this professor rarely gives out As and I got 100% on one of his papers after I was gone for 2 weeks due to a family emergency. he was super stoked about my getting the only 100% in the class so I think he wrote something good.

LCMama2017

@"surfy surf" said:
@Victoria14 honestly I'm still not done with my PS. I'm hoping I get another professor who just writes based off my academic achievement
@LCMama2017 this professor rarely gives out As and I got 100% on one of his papers after I was gone for 2 weeks due to a family emergency. he was super stoked about my getting the only 100% in the class so I think he wrote something good.

Wow - well then that's great!

_oshun1_

@"Alex Divine" how did you know what the prof wrote in your letter did they send you a copy? just curious

Alex

@"surfy surf" said:
@"Alex Divine" how did you know what the prof wrote in your letter did they send you a copy? just curious

They sent me a draft so I could verify if all of the information was correct. Things like club names and specific research I had done.