Getting letters of rec

[bananaz]

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The biggest issue is that is holding me back from applying to all the postbacc programs I want to is my lack of letters of recommendation. I'm going to have a really solid one from my boss (an education professor) but I don't feel comfortable asking any of my science profs for a letter. I go to a big state school and almost all of my science classes have had 300+ people in them, so you have to fight through a horde of bloodthirsty pre-meds just to talk to the professor. I know I should have been more assertive but it just felt rude, especially when the professor was already swarmed with people buttering them up for a letter. Anyway, excuses aside, I think some of my profs might recognize my name but I can't imagine they'd be able to write more than a lukewarm recommendation.

In fact, part of why I wanted to do a postbacc was to be in smaller classes where I could really connect with professors and build those relationships, but apparently I am already screwed because I need to have them just to get in.

My other choices for letters right now are:

• Psych professor from this term. I've done really well in his class and been active in discussions, asked him questions after class, etc. but he still doesn't know me that well personally
• Manager of the animal shelter where I've volunteered for the last year. She knows me well and thinks I'm great but obviously can't really comment on my academic ability
• Various other people from my job, including the Associate Dean of Education, but I've heard that getting two letters from the same place is a bad idea
• Graduate TAs from my physics & o-chem labs (getting A's in both classes, have developed some rapport with the TAs)

Or should I just bite the bullet and ask one of my science profs for a letter, even if I know it's likely to be generic?

 

[domoloft11]

The biggest issue is that is holding me back from applying to all the postbacc programs I want to is my lack of letters of recommendation. I'm going to have a really solid one from my boss (an education professor) but I don't feel comfortable asking any of my science profs for a letter. I go to a big state school and almost all of my science classes have had 300+ people in them, so you have to fight through a horde of bloodthirsty pre-meds just to talk to the professor. I know I should have been more assertive but it just felt rude, especially when the professor was already swarmed with people buttering them up for a letter. Anyway, excuses aside, I think some of my profs might recognize my name but I can't imagine they'd be able to write more than a lukewarm recommendation.

In fact, part of why I wanted to do a postbacc was to be in smaller classes where I could really connect with professors and build those relationships, but apparently I am already screwed because I need to have them just to get in.

My other choices for letters right now are:

• Psych professor from this term. I've done really well in his class and been active in discussions, asked him questions after class, etc. but he still doesn't know me that well personally
• Manager of the animal shelter where I've volunteered for the last year. She knows me well and thinks I'm great but obviously can't really comment on my academic ability
• Various other people from my job, including the Associate Dean of Education, but I've heard that getting two letters from the same place is a bad idea
• Graduate TAs from my physics & o-chem labs (getting A's in both classes, have developed some rapport with the TAs)

Or should I just bite the bullet and ask one of my science profs for a letter, even if I know it's likely to be generic?

Your Psych Prof sounds promising since:
A- You've done well in the class
B- You participate in discussion
C- You've stayed after class to ask questions which shows interest.

Those are all great signs of a good student. Even though they may not know you outside of the classroom, your professor can definitely comment positively about your skills as a student.

Your TAs are also a good idea BUT you really have to make sure that it is OKAY with the schools you are applying to to have teaching assistants write you a letter. Sometimes they have the Professor has to sign off on it too.

Best of luck!