Do professors prefer you to ask for LOR in person?

[CBG321]

I'm actually going to go ask two of my Professors in person (casually since i'm not yet applying) what they prefer but wondered what past-experience has dictated.

 

I was always planning on asking in person but have read a few things online about sending a letter or email which I thought seemed less professional but wanted to check and see if anyone had experience saying this was the proper ettiquette.

 

Also anyone know if it is better to choose all PHD's?  A friend of mine thinks letters from PHD Professors hold more weight when the application commitee sees that.  True or false?

 

Thanks

[c m]

I think it depends on your relationship with the professor.  I asked all of mine via email but the ones that I asked were also expecting it to come (i.e. they all knew I was applying).  Also, mine preferred email because then they could have all the due dates, relevant information, and necessary documents all in one place.  Just my experience.

 

As far as who to select, I can tell you how I made my decisions for Art History/Visual Studies.  For that, I think that PhDs are relevant especially if you are applying to PhD programs, as they are going to be commenting on your readiness and capacity to operate in that specific environment. Also when selecting, you want to select people that are going to be able to not only write positive letters for you but will be able to specifically come up with examples about why you are a great fit.  A positive, but generic letter is not going to be as winning as a positive and highly specific letter.  So choose faculty/people who you have worked with closely and have developed a strong relationship.  Not sure if there is proper etiquette, but I think the relationship you have with them makes all the difference.

 

Also, think about the specific programs you are applying to and who would be best geared towards that.  For the bulk of my LORs, I asked two specific people: my undergraduate advisor and a professor turned mentor who also was a reader for my undergraduate thesis.  My third LOR, if the apps called for that, was my "swing" person and I tried to tailor that to the program.  Who would be able to best comment on you based specifically on the program you are applying to?

 

Hope that helps and granted I am only a year ahead of you in the process, but I wanted to share what I did!

[CBG321]

All great information!  Thank you every bit of advice is always helpful

[mimblewimble]

I think along with your relationship to your professor, it also depends on the professor's personality as well. For example, asking in person may be best if the professor is old school and would appreciate the effort to come in person, if he or she is not very good responding to emails, etc. Asking through email may be best if the professor is very shy, always busy etc. Personally, I asked in person and then followed up with an email.

Especially if you are applying to Speech Path, I think it's also important to consider asking a professor who is/was a Speech Pathologist or Audiologist, since they can comment best on how you will be as a clinician. Some schools actually require this, so I recommend checking into your programs!

Hope this helps

[SLPosteriorCricoarytenoid]

In my experience, I think it is best etiquette to ask for a letter of recommendation in person. Professors have told me that they appreciated that I came in person to ask. One of my professors said that she thinks it is unprofessional when people ask her via email for letters. She also said that it is surprising how many impersonal emails she gets from students asking for letters. She is also a fairly young professor too. But yes, it does depend on your relationship with the professor too, I suppose.

 

I have asked a total of five professors for letters of recommendations at some point and I did all in person. It also shows some initiative that you take the time out of your day to ask them and don't just shoot an email over something so important. I also liked that I could get a candid reaction from them when I asked. Likewise, it made it easy for me to then mention I would be dropping off my folder of application materials to help them with their letters in the near future. 

 

As far as PhDs go, I don't think it's a huge game changer. Like mentioned above, you will want someone who can say you are likely to be a great clinician, can handle the academics, are professional, etc. One of my letter writers has a master's and I don't think her letter will be valued any less, from what I've heard.

[OhioAud]

I think that this is something that varies from person to person.  Several of the professors in my program have said that they prefer to be asked via email, because meeting with everyone that asks them to write a letter of recommendation can be a time consuming process.  When I asked for letters of recommendation, I emailed the professors and offered to meet up with them as a follow up.  This can be a very tricky situation, and I think you have to consider how busy the potential letter writer is, and their preferred mode of communication.  I really don't think that the person you are asking will think any less of you if you email them instead of asking them in person, or vice versa.

 

Many schools prefer to have two academic references, which will typically be a PhD.  I don't think asking an SLP with a masters to write you a letter will have a negative impact on your application.  

[CBG321]

This is all great advice everyone! I definitely plan to ask schools what kind of letters they prefer since each program looks for different things. I should clarify phd vs adjunct professor with a masters. My school has a lot of adjunct professors that come teach us after work

[jpiccolo]

I met with one professor during the 2014 app cycle last year (I think I emailed and asked if we could meet or discuss a possible letter of rec). The other professors last year and this year I just emailed and said something like I took your classes and I'm applying and do you think you would be able to write me a LOR? They all agreed and had different requirements for what they needed from me like a resume, strengths, experiences, transcript, etc. So it shouldn't be a huge deal to send them an email as long as you ask nicely and don't demand a letter.

 

Most of my schools preferred faculty/PHD but asking them is best if they don't say right out. One school said they wanted to know me purely in an academic setting so I avoided sending them a LOR from the SLP I interned with. Others said at least 2 faculty.

[Salbando]

It really depends. If you know the person really well then an email might suffice. If, however, you have unique circumstances that need explanation or if you simply do not know your reviewer very well then it might be best to meet with said person and discuss with them your situation and suggest to them what you might like them to write about you. Professors, for example, often get so many letters for LOR and all around the same time. What I have done in the past, and some might consider this a bit unorthodox, is that I actually write the LOR myself and then ask them to go over it and alter or change anything they want. Most of the time the professor will just make a few minor changes. Also, this is a win-win situation for both you and the professor--for you in that you get to state very specifically everything that you want to say and for the professor because they do not have to remember specifics about you and may not remember everything about you anyways. Some professors may balk at this but I have, in the past, had success with this. As for who should write the letter it is always the person who you feel will write you the best letter. Professors with a PhD carry weight for the reason that you have taken classes with them and also they can attest to you abilities to do well or not in an intensive SLP program as they all are. If you have done work or research or worked in an apprenticeship style arrangement helping a PhD student with their research then a PhD/Professor would be the way to go. Also, a good SLP who has been around a while and is more mature could also make an excellent recommendation in particular to what you have done. Hope this helps :-)

[CBG321]

Thank you!