I am applying to pharmacy school this summer (aiming to matriculate the fall of 2011). Since I am applying to schools with rolling admissions, the earlier I apply, the better. Although most schools admissions deadlines are next winter, my things really should be in by the end of summer to be competitive, early fall at the latest. October would be risky. I am taking the PCAT in a couple of weeks, so those scores should be in by August.
I need three letters of recommendation. Two will come from professors. My third LOR will be from a former (non-pharmacy) work supervisor who knows me extremely well.
I have three possible professors to ask.
Professor 1 is a science professor at a university. I did very well in his class, despite having a long break from science courses. He knows how hard I worked for the A, and told me so on the last day of class. The biggest issue with him is that it took him a long time to correct exams, put things on the course website. I have a feeling it would take him a while to get around to the LOR.
Professor 2 is a science professor/dept chair at a CC. I also did very well in her class - on the last day of class she said that she wished that more of her students were like me. She is currently on sabbatical to give her courses a technology upgrade and will not be back until spring.
Both Prof 1 and Prof 2 know me mainly in an academic capacity - they can talk about my work ethic and things like that, but they do not know me on a truly personal level.
Professor 3 is a nonscience professor. I did very well in his class. He knows me very well because the class was small and we had to write journals - he knows my story (nontraditional student, going to school while balancing three kids), the things that my personal statement will be based on.
None of these professors will be teaching over the summer. I will be in Professor 1's class again in the fall. I will be in Professor 2's class next spring.
Is it a better idea to a) ask via email now, or b) ask in person when school resumes even if it means the letters won't be submitted until October? It might actually be impossible to ask Professor 2 in person.
Which two out of the three should I ask?
I need three letters of recommendation. Two will come from professors. My third LOR will be from a former (non-pharmacy) work supervisor who knows me extremely well.
I have three possible professors to ask.
Professor 1 is a science professor at a university. I did very well in his class, despite having a long break from science courses. He knows how hard I worked for the A, and told me so on the last day of class. The biggest issue with him is that it took him a long time to correct exams, put things on the course website. I have a feeling it would take him a while to get around to the LOR.
Professor 2 is a science professor/dept chair at a CC. I also did very well in her class - on the last day of class she said that she wished that more of her students were like me. She is currently on sabbatical to give her courses a technology upgrade and will not be back until spring.
Both Prof 1 and Prof 2 know me mainly in an academic capacity - they can talk about my work ethic and things like that, but they do not know me on a truly personal level.
Professor 3 is a nonscience professor. I did very well in his class. He knows me very well because the class was small and we had to write journals - he knows my story (nontraditional student, going to school while balancing three kids), the things that my personal statement will be based on.
None of these professors will be teaching over the summer. I will be in Professor 1's class again in the fall. I will be in Professor 2's class next spring.
Is it a better idea to a) ask via email now, or b) ask in person when school resumes even if it means the letters won't be submitted until October? It might actually be impossible to ask Professor 2 in person.
Which two out of the three should I ask?
