Getting letters of recs

Random Female · 06-04-2003, 05:08 PM

How does this usually go? I'm an english major, but the only teacher I've had more than one semester in a row was a polysci teacher for my minor. I'll be able to get one from her no problem, but what do you advise for the other letter from the english profs? Just go up to one who's not totally intimidating (as i've had a couple) that have given me an A and ask if they'll do it? There is a teacher I know well that only gave me a B+... should i ask him 'cos he knows me better?

My situation isn't normal because I'm not applying immediately. I asked the graduate admissions people about applying post-peace corps and they told me to get the letters now and save them. I assume the teachers won't have any problems giving me the letter and not mailing it off.

How does it usually work? Do they request papers or anything, or do they just kind of write out some bullshit thing?

sarmatianus · 06-04-2003, 05:30 PM

I'd ask the one that knows you best. I mean, the grades will speak for themselves. The letters of rec are supposed to be letters to recommend you as a person. Whoever can write something that more fully fleshes you out as a person/student is the one to pick, even if they didn't give you an A or A+. Most profs are pretty upfront about letters of recommendation - if they don't want to do one for you or don't feel that they can, they'll tell you. Otherwise, if they say yes, let them do it.

And you probably know this already, but make certain that they seal each in an envelope and sign on the seal - many schools ask for that so as to assure that the student hasn't read them. Especially in your case, it may be even more stressed as practice, since you'll have them on hand for a while.

Thad · 06-04-2003, 05:42 PM

What sarmatianus said....get them from profs that know you the best. Not all of them have to be profs in your major and usually you can have one from a non-prof, like a former boss or something. Signing the back of the envelopes is a good idea too, grad schools give these more cred since they assume the prof was more comfortable talking about your weaknesses if they know you won't see the letter. Of course you could have the profs write one more letter than you plan to use and use that for your "personal copy". Depends on how honest you feel like being. BTW, most profs won't write anything negative if they've agreed to write the letter in the first place.

Quote:

Originally posted by sarmatianus
I'd ask the one that knows you best. I mean, the grades will speak for themselves. The letters of rec are supposed to be letters to recommend you as a person. Whoever can write something that more fully fleshes you out as a person/student is the one to pick, even if they didn't give you an A or A+. Most profs are pretty upfront about letters of recommendation - if they don't want to do one for you or don't feel that they can, they'll tell you. Otherwise, if they say yes, let them do it.

And you probably know this already, but make certain that they seal each in an envelope and sign on the seal - many schools ask for that so as to assure that the student hasn't read them. Especially in your case, it may be even more stressed as practice, since you'll have them on hand for a while.

BlueStar · 06-04-2003, 06:12 PM

The schools you are applying to usually provide you with a letter of recommendation form...with things like rating abilities on a scale of 1-5 and specific questions and whatnot. Honestly, I would just wait until after you were done with the peace corps to bother with the letters since you will most likely have to contact the professors again to get them to sign specific forms for the schools you are applying to and whatnot. And letter of recommendation don't have to come just from professors...after the peace corps, you could have someone from the peace corps write you a letter of recommendation. Have you done any internships at all? You can always get letters of recommendation from the people you interned for. For me, I always chose the professors I asked for recommendations from on the basis of 1)the number of classes I took with them and 2)the grade I got in that class (especially given some of the things on the forms from the schools that the professors needed to fill out). A B+ is a perfectly decent grade...that professor, since you knows you well, sounds like a good choice.

06-04-2003, 08:37 PM

When you finally pick the people you are going to ask, make sure you ask "Will you be able to write me a good letter of recommendation?" Don't just ask for the letter. You never know what kind of nutball you are going to get and what they are going to write. I read a letter once that was for admission to a Ph.D. program at the University of Florida. It was glowing until you get to the last paragraph where it turned ugly. Basically it said...

"I would be remiss if I did not say that there is a glaring problem Ms. X has on an interpersonal level. She does have all the qualities necessary to suceed academically, but many have found it difficult to work closely with her and that has severly impeded both her and her colleagues' progress. Please contact me if you need more information."

The issue? She stunk. You couldn't get near her with a ten foot pole. They admitted her anyway (the professor didn't think it could be THAT bad), but eventually had to do an intervention and clean her up. She claimed that noone had ever told her she stunk so bad and was very surprised.

Moral of the story? Take a shower and then make sure they will write you a good letter. Pay attention to body language. If you see any hesitation in their eyes or face, try to find a graceful way out of it. And be confident when you ask for the letter. No sheepishness allowed. I'm a high school guidance counselor and I HATE when kids come up to me and half-heartedly ask for a letter. If you don't have the confidence to ask a simple favor, then what business do you have applying to a school where their no could be much worse than my no.

Travis Meekz · 06-04-2003, 08:39 PM

write them yourself, sign them, seal them, hand it in

Random Female · 06-09-2003, 09:44 PM

*bump*
in case anyone cares... I asked the B+ prof and he said he'd do it. My political science teacher, who i'm friends with, also agreed (surprise surprise). I also overcame this mountain of fear and sent an email requesting to meet the most intimidating person I've ever met (my writing of criticism prof... very well-respected but loathed and feared amongst students) where i'll propose the same question.

i was telling a friend about this, and she was saying that when you apply to some schools they want the envelope sealed and with the prof's initials over it (wtf?!). if this is the case for most schools, i'm fucked, because i was just planning on taking one copy and using it for whatever schools i apply to.

AndItsAllGone · 06-09-2003, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Random Female
i was telling a friend about this, and she was saying that when you apply to some schools they want the envelope sealed and with the prof's initials over it (wtf?!).

Did you even read this thread?

Random Female · 06-09-2003, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AndItsAllGone

Did you even read this thread?

yeah i read what the second person said, but i guess i didn't read closely to what saramantius posted. That's kind of fucked up, in my opinion. What if I want to apply to 4 schools and I only have 3 letters in an envelope? that's not too cool.

dusty · 06-09-2003, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Random Female
yeah i read what the second person said, but i guess i didn't read closely to what saramantius posted. That's kind of fucked up, in my opinion. What if I want to apply to 4 schools and I only have 3 letters in an envelope? that's not too cool.

then tell your professor(s) that you plan on applying to various grad schools, make photo copies of the letter(s) you are given, and then bring several envelopes for your professor(s) to seal and sign.
i'm sure they would understand.
it isn't really that complicated of a procedure- didn't you have to go through the same thing when you applied to undergraduate college?
i did.

Thad · 06-09-2003, 10:26 PM

Make sure they hand sign each copy in addition to signing across the back of the envelope.

Random Female · 06-09-2003, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dusty
then tell your professor(s) that you plan on applying to various grad schools, make photo copies of the letter(s) you are given, and then bring several envelopes for your professor(s) to seal and sign.
i'm sure they would understand.
it isn't really that complicated of a procedure- didn't you have to go through the same thing when you applied to undergraduate college?
i did.

nah, i transferred from a JC. They love you if you transfer in after 2 years. i didn't have to take the SATs or anything.

BlueStar · 06-09-2003, 11:35 PM

I've never heard of anyone getting letter of recommendation in advance of actually applying to schools. Just tell each professor that you would like 5 letters (they will just print out 5 copies, sign each copy, and then put each copy in a seperate envelope and sign across the seal of the envelope)...that way you know that you will have enough letters (and if you have an extra one, you can open it and read it). Also, keep in my mind that some schools ask for 3 letters of recommendation.

06-04-2003, 05:08 PM	#1
Random Female Apocalyptic Poster Location: white folks' ghetto, San Diego Posts: 2,005	Getting letters of recs How does this usually go? I'm an english major, but the only teacher I've had more than one semester in a row was a polysci teacher for my minor. I'll be able to get one from her no problem, but what do you advise for the other letter from the english profs? Just go up to one who's not totally intimidating (as i've had a couple) that have given me an A and ask if they'll do it? There is a teacher I know well that only gave me a B+... should i ask him 'cos he knows me better? My situation isn't normal because I'm not applying immediately. I asked the graduate admissions people about applying post-peace corps and they told me to get the letters now and save them. I assume the teachers won't have any problems giving me the letter and not mailing it off. How does it usually work? Do they request papers or anything, or do they just kind of write out some bullshit thing?

06-04-2003, 06:12 PM	#4
BlueStar Newly independent Location: Some state's capitol building Posts: 7,242	The schools you are applying to usually provide you with a letter of recommendation form...with things like rating abilities on a scale of 1-5 and specific questions and whatnot. Honestly, I would just wait until after you were done with the peace corps to bother with the letters since you will most likely have to contact the professors again to get them to sign specific forms for the schools you are applying to and whatnot. And letter of recommendation don't have to come just from professors...after the peace corps, you could have someone from the peace corps write you a letter of recommendation. Have you done any internships at all? You can always get letters of recommendation from the people you interned for. For me, I always chose the professors I asked for recommendations from on the basis of 1)the number of classes I took with them and 2)the grade I got in that class (especially given some of the things on the forms from the schools that the professors needed to fill out). A B+ is a perfectly decent grade...that professor, since you knows you well, sounds like a good choice. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-09-2003, 11:35 PM	#13
BlueStar Newly independent Location: Some state's capitol building Posts: 7,242	I've never heard of anyone getting letter of recommendation in advance of actually applying to schools. Just tell each professor that you would like 5 letters (they will just print out 5 copies, sign each copy, and then put each copy in a seperate envelope and sign across the seal of the envelope)...that way you know that you will have enough letters (and if you have an extra one, you can open it and read it). Also, keep in my mind that some schools ask for 3 letters of recommendation. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-04-2003, 05:30 PM	#2
sarmatianus Apocalyptic Poster Location: Charm City Posts: 1,033	I'd ask the one that knows you best. I mean, the grades will speak for themselves. The letters of rec are supposed to be letters to recommend you as a person. Whoever can write something that more fully fleshes you out as a person/student is the one to pick, even if they didn't give you an A or A+. Most profs are pretty upfront about letters of recommendation - if they don't want to do one for you or don't feel that they can, they'll tell you. Otherwise, if they say yes, let them do it. And you probably know this already, but make certain that they seal each in an envelope and sign on the seal - many schools ask for that so as to assure that the student hasn't read them. Especially in your case, it may be even more stressed as practice, since you'll have them on hand for a while.

06-04-2003, 08:37 PM	#5
Jason Smith Posts: n/a	When you finally pick the people you are going to ask, make sure you ask "Will you be able to write me a good letter of recommendation?" Don't just ask for the letter. You never know what kind of nutball you are going to get and what they are going to write. I read a letter once that was for admission to a Ph.D. program at the University of Florida. It was glowing until you get to the last paragraph where it turned ugly. Basically it said... "I would be remiss if I did not say that there is a glaring problem Ms. X has on an interpersonal level. She does have all the qualities necessary to suceed academically, but many have found it difficult to work closely with her and that has severly impeded both her and her colleagues' progress. Please contact me if you need more information." The issue? She stunk. You couldn't get near her with a ten foot pole. They admitted her anyway (the professor didn't think it could be THAT bad), but eventually had to do an intervention and clean her up. She claimed that noone had ever told her she stunk so bad and was very surprised. Moral of the story? Take a shower and then make sure they will write you a good letter. Pay attention to body language. If you see any hesitation in their eyes or face, try to find a graceful way out of it. And be confident when you ask for the letter. No sheepishness allowed. I'm a high school guidance counselor and I HATE when kids come up to me and half-heartedly ask for a letter. If you don't have the confidence to ask a simple favor, then what business do you have applying to a school where their no could be much worse than my no.

06-04-2003, 08:39 PM	#6
Travis Meekz Minion of Satan Location: . Posts: 6,301	write them yourself, sign them, seal them, hand it in

06-09-2003, 09:44 PM	#7
Random Female Apocalyptic Poster Location: white folks' ghetto, San Diego Posts: 2,005	bump in case anyone cares... I asked the B+ prof and he said he'd do it. My political science teacher, who i'm friends with, also agreed (surprise surprise). I also overcame this mountain of fear and sent an email requesting to meet the most intimidating person I've ever met (my writing of criticism prof... very well-respected but loathed and feared amongst students) where i'll propose the same question. i was telling a friend about this, and she was saying that when you apply to some schools they want the envelope sealed and with the prof's initials over it (wtf?!). if this is the case for most schools, i'm fucked, because i was just planning on taking one copy and using it for whatever schools i apply to.

06-09-2003, 10:26 PM	#11
Thad Ownz Location: Austin, TX Posts: 624	Make sure they hand sign each copy in addition to signing across the back of the envelope.