Questions about letters of rec

[soupy]

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I'm currently an undergrad senior graduating in May. I definitely plan on going for my doctorate, but I'm going to take a year off first. So I'll be applying next year, but my question is.. should I ask for letters of rec now, even though I won't need them for a couple months, or later next year when I actually need them?

Also, I just in general don't know who to ask for my letter or recs. I go to NYU, and all of my psychology classes have been so large (like 200+ people), that I just do not really know any of my professors. You're just kind of anonymous here at NYU. I know one person who will be able to write me a really good letter, as I have her as both a professor and as advisor for my honors thesis. But other than that.. I don't know what I should do.

Any advice/tips?

 

[myelin]

Hey soupy,

Generally, if you don't know the professor well but received an A in their class, it is appropriate to speak with that professor about arranging a letter of recommendation. You'll need at least 3 for PhD programs so plan accordingly. It may be wise to get them now, as it is always a possibility that your professors may not be around when it's time for you to apply next year.

You mentioned that you're doing an honors thesis. Have you worked with any other professors other than your thesis advisor? If so, they may be able to write you a LOR.

 

[causeeffect]

I have the same exact situation as you except I already applied instead of taking a year off. I got all my letters of recommendation from people who i've worked as an RA for outside of school. I think that may of hurt some of my applications as some stated that they want at least one rec to be from a professor, but like you I wasn't able to get to know any of my professors and the professors that I did contact because I got A's in their classes all said stuff like: having you only for one semester isn't enough for me to write a recommendation and the like. sigh. But since you already have one definite rec from a professor I think you'll be fine. Most of the applications i've seen have said that at least one rec should be from a professor.

 

[erg923]

I'm gonna have to disagree with the previous posters advice a little. All recommendation letters will be dated by the professor writing them so it will be quite obvious that you are passing on dated letters. Further, many professors will want to send letters directly to the program themselves. I have sat in on admissions at my university doctoral program and letters generally need to be written for that years application cycle (as indicated by date on the letter), as this prevents students from passing on dated letters and abusing them. The program needs to see that you currently have good standing with the people writing you letters.

Second, although you can certainly ask a professor who's class you got an A in for a letter, unfortunately, this is all they will be able to say about you. These types of letters are notorious and easy to spot by admissions committees. They do not carry much weight, as they can just look down at a transcript and see that you got an A in that class. Letters of rec (that carry weight and will help you) need to be written by people who have known you for more than one semester and can attest to either or both of the following 1.) Your character (motivation, integrity, ethics, interpersonal skills etc.) 2.) Your intellectual and research ability (intelligence, perseverance, critical thinking skills, ability to complete graduate level course work, and dedication to research for Ph.D. programs). You really need at least 2 strong ones like this. If you wanted, the 3rd could be the "got an A in my class person." Two should be from a professor, really only one should be an employer or supervisor (unless you have been out of school for 10 years).

I realize getting LORs at big schools can be challenging if you have not been chummy with the professors or involved in research. But you really do have to get know people or work with them to get those strong letters that competitive applicants have. Have you been active in research with any professors that you you know well and can attest to your research abilities? Research experience is essential in order to be a competitive applicant so if you have not yet done so, use that year off to do research and get to know a couple people who can attest to those abilities.

Good luck

 

[mshbe]

I suggest at least asking them to write the letter before you graduate. I took two years off, and I still asked them when I was an undergrad. They may want to write the letter now, and update it with what you've been doing since graduation, or they may want to just wait until you need it, but then you've already asked them and they expect it.

I also went to a large undergrad school, with huge psych classes. Even there, some of the upper level psych classes had fewer people (around 30 usually). Do you have any like this, or are even the higher level psych classes that large? And doesn't a thesis advisor technically count as a professor?

 

[soupy]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

Maybe this wasn't clear before, but the one person I know I'm asking I did have as a professor. I took her class, got an A in it. I also volunteered as an RA in her lab last year, and now I'm doing my honors thesis in her lab this year. So that should definitely be one good LOR.

I have gotten an A in all of my other psych classes, but like someone pointed out, that's really all that professor will be able to write. I've seen professors tell other students they can't write a LOR for them based on just that.

The only smaller psych classes I have taken where the professor actually knows my name are the two required Honors Seminars and a graduate class that I am currently taking as an elective. Do you think I should just ask one of my honors seminar professors? They are familiar with my research (as they will be the ones grading my final thesis), I just don't feel like I have any sort of relationship with them or anything.

And as far as having one LOR from an employer.. I don't know what to do about that, either. I work two jobs on campus, but I don't really work with the people I'm employed by. For example, I work at my school's College Learning Center where I tutor fellow undergrads. I rarely ever see my "supervisor," though, so I don't really know what she could write other than "She comes to work on time," you know?

Thanks for the advice as far as timing goes, though. I guess I'll just give my professors a heads up that I'll be asking for them next year.

 

[codename Conan]

Hey Soupy:

When you write to request the letters you should summarize the specific work you did in the class and send them a copy of your CV.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

Maybe this wasn't clear before, but the one person I know I'm asking I did have as a professor. I took her class, got an A in it. I also volunteered as an RA in her lab last year, and now I'm doing my honors thesis in her lab this year. So that should definitely be one good LOR.

I have gotten an A in all of my other psych classes, but like someone pointed out, that's really all that professor will be able to write. I've seen professors tell other students they can't write a LOR for them based on just that.

The only smaller psych classes I have taken where the professor actually knows my name are the two required Honors Seminars and a graduate class that I am currently taking as an elective. Do you think I should just ask one of my honors seminar professors? They are familiar with my research (as they will be the ones grading my final thesis), I just don't feel like I have any sort of relationship with them or anything.

And as far as having one LOR from an employer.. I don't know what to do about that, either. I work two jobs on campus, but I don't really work with the people I'm employed by. For example, I work at my school's College Learning Center where I tutor fellow undergrads. I rarely ever see my "supervisor," though, so I don't really know what she could write other than "She comes to work on time," you know?

Thanks for the advice as far as timing goes, though. I guess I'll just give my professors a heads up that I'll be asking for them next year.

 

[erg923]

I didn't mean to imply that one of your letters has to come form an employer or supervisor. Three academic letters is perfectly fine, and probably the norm actually. And yes, I would pass on getting a letter from a professors class you got an A in. Those tend to reflect poorly on applicants actually if it is clear the professor doesn't know them from Adam besides the fact that they did well in their class.

 

[myelin]

Indeed, I'd advise not having a LOR written by a professor who doesn't know you other than knowing you made an A in their course. For some, however, this is their only option as they haven't established relations with profesors outside of the classroom. I'd suggest speaking with your honors seminar professors about your research. I'd be in their office first thing tomorrow as you are running out of time.