Can you get letters of recommendation over the summer?

[Godspeedyou]

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I couldn't find a specific thread for this question but can this be done? Also if it's not from the university you're graduating from is that okay? If so, how should I go about doing this since there is less time to connect (I/II sequence;8 weeks in total; same professor lab and lectures according to the website).

 

[Boolean]

Don't see why would it wouldn't be. An LOR is an LOR.

 

[deleted380953]

Just as a follow up, would you have to declare the said writers on the primary app even though you wouldn't ask them to compose the letter until the course was over?

 

[LaceyMD]

One thing that could be to your advantage over the summer is that, at least for the summer classes I've taken, the class size is significantly smaller. For example, the general chemistry sequence at my university typically had 200+ students, whereas the summer version I took (same class, just condensed timeline) had about 40. So while there certainly was less time to connect than if you had the full year, the professor also has more opportunity to engage in personal contact during class due to the class size - mine knew everyone's name by the end of the first week, something that just can't happen in a large regular semester class - and office hours are significantly less crowded, again due to the class size. I actually found it much easier to build a strong connection with my summer professors than during the school year, simply due to the smaller professor to student ratio.

 

[Godspeedyou]

Just as a follow up, would you have to declare the said writers on the primary app even though you wouldn't ask them to compose the letter until the course was over?

Were you asking me? Haha I have no idea man

One thing that could be to your advantage over the summer is that, at least for the summer classes I've taken, the class size is significantly smaller. For example, the general chemistry sequence at my university typically had 200+ students, whereas the summer version I took (same class, just condensed timeline) had about 40. So while there certainly was less time to connect than if you had the full year, the professor also has more opportunity to engage in personal contact during class due to the class size - mine knew everyone's name by the end of the first week, something that just can't happen in a large regular semester class - and office hours are significantly less crowded, again due to the class size. I actually found it much easier to build a strong connection with my summer professors than during the school year, simply due to the smaller professor to student ratio.

I didn't think about the size of the class but I just checked and the lecture has 20 people now and the lab has 6. I'm used to lectures with 100-200+ students so this should be interesting. Do I really need to give a resume/personal statement? Or should I just say at the start of the semester I'm interested in him writing me a letter?

 

[Patros]

Were you asking me? Haha I have no idea man



I didn't think about the size of the class but I just checked and the lecture has 20 people now and the lab has 6. I'm used to lectures with 100-200+ students so this should be interesting. Do I really need to give a resume/personal statement? Or should I just say at the start of the semester I'm interested in him writing me a letter?

I don't think you should start off the class by telling the professor you expect a recommendation, that would just be bad form. Since it's only 8 weeks though, you don't have too much time, so perhaps half-way through the class would be more appropriate (around 4 weeks prior to the end). Of course, then the pressure is on you to do well in the class; you don't want a recommendation from a guy who gave you a C+. If he agrees, he will tell you if the resume or personal statement is necessary.

Are you applying this cycle? If not, you should wait till close to the end of the class to ask, when you can see what your grades and the relationship with the professor are like. Of course you can inform him that you're interested in a recommendation early on, but don't let your plans hinge on this one class and professor.

 

[mehc012]

One of my strongest letters came from a summer course. For me, it was easier to go 110% for such a short session. At the end, not only did the prof offer to write me a letter, but by the time I saw them and asked for one, they said 'Oh, yeah, I wrote that as soon as the course ended because I didn't want to forget anything. Let me know when you need it and I'll change the date".