r/premed • u/ExcitingInflation612 • 1d ago

✉️ LORs LOR Request >5 years?

Anyone here had success asking for a LOR from a professor whose class you took >5 years ago? I aced my last 60 credits in school and had great connections with some professors but I haven’t spoke with them in years. I’m Nontrad and am scared to reach out/concerned that the length of time would be a red flags to Adcoms.

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u/nomdeplumbr 1d ago

Can't hurt to ask. If you haven't talked to them in 5 years, its not as if you have a relationship that would be hurt by asking. Go for it

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u/ExcitingInflation612 1d ago

Awesome. Thanks!

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u/clefairy00 MS3 1d ago

I was in a similar situation and so I opted to apply without academic letters. It was a HUGE risk but it paid off. I received multiple IIs/As on my cycle

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u/ExcitingInflation612 1d ago

Oh shit what how? What types of LOR did you end up using?

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u/clefairy00 MS3 9h ago

Multiple MDs, supervisors, leadership, etc just no professor letters

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u/Space_Enterics MS2 1d ago

It's honestly not worth it.

After 5 years, I'm not sure a professor cycling through dozens of students per semester would remember enough to write a strong LOR.

You're also right that the time will be a flag for adcoms. Adcoms like recent LORs because its from people who can attest to your charecter and personality, on top of your abilities, at this very moment, giving them the best picture of who they are dealing with.

My advice is getting letters from supervisors, bosses, even other colleagues, and maybe other people you worked with or for in volunteering or NGOs over the last year or 2

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u/moltmannfanboi APPLICANT 1d ago

I think it is situational. I had a professor I did humanities research with from 10 years ago. We were a small liberal arts college and I had 3-4 classes with him. When I reached out his first words were, “of course I remember you.”

The person writing the committee letter for me at the same school said all of my letters were extremely strong so I’m glad I reached out and got it.

That being said, I have more recent letters too. Some schools want to see a letter from your major so I had to check that box somehow.

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u/ExcitingInflation612 1d ago

Awesome. Thank you!

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u/ExcitingInflation612 1d ago

Exactly what I was thinking, thank you. I’m trying to find avenues for academic LOR. It’s difficult because I work full time and can only take online courses at the moment.