Getting good rec letters

[Quest89]

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I go to UCLA, and so it is basically impossible to get a good quality rec letter from a professor...lectures for science courses are 400+. What is the best way to do this besides Office Hours? Is that the only method?

 

[BlueElmo]

Office hours. That's what I did.

 

[wanderer]

I go to UCLA, and so it is basically impossible to get a good quality rec letter from a professor...lectures for science courses are 400+. What is the best way to do this besides Office Hours? Is that the only method?

You can get rec letters from TAs or lab instructors, but get the professor to sign on the letter. You can also get from professors you do research with, but some schools may need a letter from a professor you took a class with. Also, you can try taking more advanced courses, which tend to have lower enrollment.

 

[skiddoc]

You can get rec letters from TAs or lab instructors, but get the professor to sign on the letter. You can also get from professors you do research with, but some schools may need a letter from a professor you took a class with. Also, you can try taking more advanced courses, which tend to have lower enrollment.

I wouldn't get a recommendation from a TA. My current pre-health advisor used to be on the adcom for Temple med, and she says doing that is a no-no. Go to office hours and take more advanced courses. Good luck!

 

[Quest89]

So at OH, what are some tips on getting to know a professor better? I know they don't like dumb questions. How did you guys get to know your professors???

Thanks for the input thus far!!

 

[metallica81788]

I got a rec letter from a professor in a 100+ class that I never talked to. Basically, I just went to her officer hours and said that I would like a letter from her because I loved her class, even though I had never really showed up before.

Definitely mention you want to get to know the prof first, so show up during office hours a couple of times just to talk with them and have them learn who you are and what you're about. That way you get a good letter without having to ask stupid questions involving the class and whatnot.

 

[BBender716]

I went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, definitely 400+ as well. The key is to get it from a professor who teaches a class that is of special interest to you. Show that special interest through taking it for honors, asking a couple questions after class every so often, going to office hours every once in awhile. Then approach after getting your final grade and have a talk with resume and preferably, personal statement, in hand. Good luck!