Letter of Recommendation

[TheJourney]

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I took an online class over the summer. I did really well in the course and interacted with the professor through e-mails and messages numerous times. She also noted that she enjoyed my work in the class. My question is, should I ask for a letter from her? If so is it ok to do it over an e-mail or should I wait for fall to begin and go to her office for the first time and ask then?

 

[SN12357]

I took an online class over the summer. I did really well in the course and interacted with the professor through e-mails and messages numerous times. She also noted that she enjoyed my work in the class. My question is, should I ask for a letter from her? If so is it ok to do it over an e-mail or should I wait for fall to begin and go to her office for the first time and ask then?

Generally asking in person is preferred, although email is ok if in person is too difficult/inconvenient.

If this is for this cycle email her ASAP because it is getting laaaaate.

 

[freakingoutabit]

I would not ask the professor of an online class to write you a recommendation. First, you don't want to draw attention to the fact that you've taken an online class (a fact that she might mention). Second, there is probably not much she could say if she hasn't met you. If she only knows that you complete assignments thoroughly and on time and are polite over email, she does not know you well enough to write a strong (or even adequate) letter.

I would tread with caution here.

 

[quebaldy]

I would not ask the professor of an online class to write you a recommendation. First, you don't want to draw attention to the fact that you've taken an online class (a fact that she might mention). Second, there is probably not much she could say if she hasn't met you. If she only knows that you complete assignments thoroughly and on time and are polite over email, she does not know you well enough to write a strong (or even adequate) letter.

I would tread with caution here.

I don't think taking an online class automatically counts as a bad thing (depending on the class of course). I agree with everything else though. You want a recommender who knows you personally and can comment meaningfully about your character, not just your class performance and email etiquette.

 

[TheJourney]

Thanks for the advice! I mostly wanted to ask in order to have it just in case.
I read somewhere that you should have one letter from a non science professor and that would have been this one.

But I guess you guys are saying no letter is better than a merely adequate letter

 

[freakingoutabit]

Yeah, you probably will need a letter from a non-science professor. When are you applying? If you're not applying until next year, I would take a non-science class in person and attend office hours/participate in class discussions regularly.

ETA: If you're a non-trad, schools are usually lenient about requiring a letter from non-science professor.

 

[TheJourney]

Yea I'm not applying this cycle, but I think all of my remaining classes will be in the science department. But ya I don't feel it would be the best letter, but I'm sure if the professor does agree to write it wouldn't be anything not advocating me. So unsure...

 

[Akali]

Your non-science LOR doesn't need to be from another professor. I worked as a peer-tutor for other students doing science/math classes at my university and got my LOR from my boss there (one of the nicest ladies I've ever met) and I think that was way better than a LOR from another professor who would also just talk about me as a student.