What professors should I ask for letters of recommendation?

Coterms and graduate schools often want to see rec letters that come from people who have taught or mentored you in an academic setting. And they place the highest value on letters that come from tenured or tenure-track professors rather than TAs, lecturers, or instructors.

How many professors should I ask for letters of recommendation?

Most graduate program applications ask for three letters of recommendation. If you are currently enrolled in college, your letters of recommendation are likely going to come from three of your professors. More specifically, you ideally want to ask professors who are in or related to the field of your graduate program.

Who should you not ask for a letter of recommendation?

Don't ask a family member or a friend for a recommendation as a college may not take them seriously. You should always follow the guidelines from the colleges you are applying to when choosing who to write your letter of recommendation.

Can I ask a random professor for a letter of recommendation?

Professors are asked for rec letters all the time, even from students they don't know that well or haven't taught in a while. As long as you're polite and explain why you're asking them to write the letter, you should feel confident and comfortable asking.

How to get to know professors for letters of recommendation?

It's also important to develop a rapport with your professor by asking questions and offering thoughtful input. Class participation through the semester allows your professor the chance to observe and interact with you. This makes their job of writing a letter of recommendation easier.

Letters of recommendation for graduate school | How to ask for an LOR

How to get letters of recommendation if you don t know anyone?

How far in advance should you ask for a letter of recommendation?

Start early.

Ideally, give the person three to four weeks, but never less than two weeks to complete the recommendation. Most faculty and staff are very busy and have numerous recommendations to write, so you want to be courteous.

Who is the best person to ask for a letter of recommendation for grad school?

It is important that a recommendation letter be written by someone who knows you well academically. Faculty members most commonly write letters of recommendation; however, other professionals who know you well and have supervised your work in academia or research may also be appropriate choices.

Is it awkward to ask for a letter of recommendation?

It's totally normal to feel nervous about asking for a letter of recommendation. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, it's a normal part of the application process. With a bit of preparation, you can maximize your chances of getting stellar recommendations.

Is it okay to ask professors for letters of recommendation twice?

If you're applying to multiple opportunities, it's totally okay to ask the same person for multiple letters because they can reuse their writing and submit it to any position you apply to.

Who is the best person to ask for college recommendations?

Ask a trusted adult who is not your family member. This could be a teacher, a coach, a mentor, someone from your faith community, a boss, someone who you have volunteered with, etc. Pro Tip: Ask someone who has known you for a long time or who has seen you work hard at school, a job, or an extra-curricular activity.

What words should you avoid in a letter of recommendation?

Clichés such as quick learner, organized, team player, creative, passionate, and dedicated.

What is the etiquette for asking for a letter of recommendation?

Choose well. Request recommendations from those who know you, since they will be better equipped to write a compelling recommendation for you. Ask your potential recommender, “Do you feel you know me well enough to write a letter of recommendation for me” for this particular position/program/school/scholarship/etc.

Is 4 letters of rec too much?

Recommendation Letters. Most graduate schools require 3 letters of recommendation. However, you should double-check how many each school requires, and do NOT send more than asked for. Sending too many letters or information not requested by the school, can actually HURT your candidacy.

How long should a letter of recommendation be from a professor?

Preferably, the person writing the letter of recommendation has been in a working or academic relationship with the applicant. The letter should be about one page in length and generally consist of three parts: opening, body, and closing.

How often should I remind professor about letter of recommendation?

Contact your recommenders approximately two weeks in advance of the deadline to remind them. While students are sometimes worried this will seem like “nagging,” busy faculty and professionals tend to sincerely appreciate the reminder.

Is it illegal to write a bad letter of recommendation?

Qualified privilege protects the writer of a letter of recommendation as long as there is no “actual malice” on the part of the writer.

Will I ever be able to read my letter of recommendation?

Only you can decide whether or not to waive your right to inspect letters of recommendation. If you are uncertain, you may wish to ask the advice of people you know and trust (e.g. faculty, current graduate students, etc.).

How many recommendation letters is too many to ask for?

Most colleges will ask for up to three letters of recommendation, so keep that in mind and don't overdo it. If a school wants two recommendation letters, only submit two.

Who is it most impressive to get letters of recommendation from?

Be sure to select a current teacher or one from your junior year, preferably one who knows you well. Don't choose teachers you had several years ago, since colleges want to know who you are and what you are like now. Teachers who know you outside of the classroom are a good choice.

How to get into grad school without letters of recommendation?

The short answer is no, letters of recommendation for graduate school applications are not always needed for graduate school. You can show a college or university that you would be a good fit for their programs, including transcripts, a statement of purpose essay, a personal statement essay, and a resume.

Should I waive my right to see letters of recommendation?

Generally speaking, waiving your right to view your letters of recommendation is ideal. While you can retain the right to view them, many admissions officers consider waiving the right as more honest.

How late is too late to ask for a recommendation?

The latest that you should ask for recommendations is October of senior year for early deadlines and November to December of senior year for regular deadlines. To be safe and proactive though, as well as to keep yourself fresh in your teachers' memories, you'd do well to ask in March, April, or May of junior year.

How to ask a professor you don t know well for a letter of recommendation?

If you don't know the professor or advisor well, make your connection clear in the email. For instance, you can say, "I enjoyed your class on XYZ, which I attended in fall 2021" It can also be helpful to include a summary of related coursework and school activities, along with your resume and cover letter.

Is it OK to ask for a letter of recommendation by email?

Depending on the time at hand and proximity, individuals can choose to ask for a letter of recommendation in person or via email. There is no right or wrong method and one isn't preferred over the other.