LOR from a big university

[stag123]

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I go to a pretty big university and I asked two of my science professors (micro & ochem) to write me a LOR this cycle, they agreed. But it's most likely going to be a "copy & paste" type of recommendation.
I know this because they barley know my name or any type of personal information about me. 250+ students at least in every science class I've been in, and they know us by a number -_-

My professors only agreed because I did well in their class. Has anyone else been in this situation?

I'm working part time while I'm a full time student (*high five* for people who work and go to school) and I know I can get a good LOR from my boss (working with her for awhile). But it's not needed, I know.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure most students are coming from big state schools, how did you get a personal recommendation? thanks 🙂

 

[kingenamel]

I go to a pretty big university and I asked two of my science professors (micro & ochem) to write me a LOR this cycle, they agreed. But it's most likely going to be a "copy & paste" type of recommendation.
I know this because they barley know my name or any type of personal information about me. 250+ students at least in every science class I've been in, and they know us by a number -_-

My professors only agreed because I did well in their class. Has anyone else been in this situation?

I'm working part time while I'm a full time student (*high five* for people who work and go to school) and I know I can get a good LOR from my boss (working with her for awhile). But it's not needed, I know.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure most students are coming from big state schools, how did you get a personal recommendation? thanks 🙂

Sometimes teachers ask for a resume and your personal statement to make the LOR catered more towards you.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I go to a pretty big university and I asked two of my science professors (micro & ochem) to write me a LOR this cycle, they agreed. But it's most likely going to be a "copy & paste" type of recommendation.
I know this because they barley know my name or any type of personal information about me. 250+ students at least in every science class I've been in, and they know us by a number -_-

My professors only agreed because I did well in their class. Has anyone else been in this situation?

I'm working part time while I'm a full time student (*high five* for people who work and go to school) and I know I can get a good LOR from my boss (working with her for awhile). But it's not needed, I know.

Does anyone else have this problem? I'm sure most students are coming from big state schools, how did you get a personal recommendation? thanks 🙂

I think this situation is pretty common. The best thing you can do is provide them with a PS and CV; that way, at least they know a little bit about you.

 

[xatlasb]

You can also set a time to meet with your Professors to talk about your experiences on your PS/CV as well as discuss your future career goals too.

 

[distressstudent]

Get to know your professor. The better you know them, they better they will know you. Go to OH, ask questions DURING class (if you want to stand out. professors will like you at the costs of peers disliking you), offer to have lunch with them, take more than one class with them, ask you can TA/do research with them. Even if you have a small class size, if you don't make an effort to stand out, the professor can't write you a good letter regardless

 

[techyguy]

Offer to come by and chat, in a way that sounds like you're almost politely insisting that you speak with them.

 

[packerland]

Ask if they would be willing to set aside time to meet with you. One prof met with me and wanted to discuss all my goals/experiences and had me submit all my unofficial transcripts, personal statement, and resume to him. Which I really thought was nice because I knew it'd be personal.

The other science prof simply said he didn't require meeting with me, but I could come into office hours and discuss it if I wanted to. He wanted me to give him whatever would help him get the best idea of myself. So I gave him the same documents.

Some profs are very strict! One other prof I asked simply told me he had to have an interview with me and if I would be okay with him mentioning my class ranking, etc. Every prof is different in what they want. Some hate meeting with students, some won't write one without meeting. Some say no if they've never seen you in office hours, some don't care one bit and just want to help students out.
Good luck!