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I attend a fairly large university and even though my classes have been getting smaller and smaller as I have progressed, I don't feel like I have developed any strong relationships with any of my professors. So now its about time to start thinking about who I want to ask for recommendation letters and I have no idea! I know some professors who at least know my first name and know if I set the curve on a test or something, but like I said, I haven't gone out of my way to get to know any of them that well (I know I probably should have been doing this for a while now). My problem is that I don't know what I should do to get the best letters possible in my situation. Also, my state school requires a letter from a non-science professor and I haven't taken a non-science class in about a year. Has anybody else had this problem at a larger university or anywhere?? What should I do? Any help/comments/suggestions you guys can give me would be awesome. Thanks!!!
If you attend a large University the task is upon yourself to establish relationships with your professors. Chances are that they are highly reputable in their fields and would make excellent references. Here are the best ways to get noticed:
1. Sit in front and be an active student
2. Intriduce yourself formally within the first week of class
3. Attend office hours and have good questions about the material
4. Discuss your career path
5. Try to go more in-depth into the class and learn some extra information to chat about.
6. Read one of their papers and discuss it with them
7. Don't be a kiss ass, call them Dr., but speak with confidence
8. Start early, even Freshman year, most schools (Big Ten, and other large research based institutions) have reference letter banks where a letter can sit for the duration of your study time to be used at a later date.
The "Good Student" letter is what 95% of people recieve, its lame and adcoms will not give a sh## about them, if its personal and there is character reference as well it will help you exponetially.
If you attend a large University the task is upon yourself to establish relationships with your professors. Chances are that they are highly reputable in their fields and would make excellent references. Here are the best ways to get noticed:
1. Sit in front and be an active student
2. Intriduce yourself formally within the first week of class
3. Attend office hours and have good questions about the material
4. Discuss your career path
5. Try to go more in-depth into the class and learn some extra information to chat about.
6. Read one of their papers and discuss it with them
7. Don't be a kiss ass, call them Dr., but speak with confidence
8. Start early, even Freshman year, most schools (Big Ten, and other large research based institutions) have reference letter banks where a letter can sit for the duration of your study time to be used at a later date.
Funny!
No don't be a duesche and constantly raise your hand, asking questions you and the class either know are not going to be on the test, or that you understand perfectly well before asking.
Funny!
No don't be a duesche and constantly raise your hand, asking questions you and the class either know are not going to be on the test, or that you understand perfectly well before asking. Simple put, don't speak just to hear yourself "sound" smart. Most people prefer to be spoken to at a certain level, make the appropriate assumption on how a professor wants to addressed and go from there.
To be a gunner, you can not say that you are a gunner. Its like being cool, you can't establish that with your own words.
Be active and mature and you will go far.
I agree, and that is not what I am saying. In a class of 250 students, say organic at a Big Ten school, there is a time and place for probing questions. If you are interested in the topic, save the extra or tangent questions for after the lecture or office hours. There is finite amount time in class and should be devoted to the curriculum. The extra questions are fantastic and may lead to research opportunites or TA positons. Questions are great but they should be on topic during class time.[/QUOTE
I agree, I have had the benefit of attending of a smaller institution.
If you attend a large University the task is upon yourself to establish relationships with your professors. Chances are that they are highly reputable in their fields and would make excellent references. Here are the best ways to get noticed:
1. Sit in front and be an active student
2. Intriduce yourself formally within the first week of class
3. Attend office hours and have good questions about the material
4. Discuss your career path
5. Try to go more in-depth into the class and learn some extra information to chat about.
6. Read one of their papers and discuss it with them
7. Don't be a kiss ass, call them Dr., but speak with confidence
8. Start early, even Freshman year, most schools (Big Ten, and other large research based institutions) have reference letter banks where a letter can sit for the duration of your study time to be used at a later date.
The "Good Student" letter is what 95% of people recieve, its lame and adcoms will not give a sh## about them, if its personal and there is character reference as well it will help you exponetially.