I am applying for my major and need a letter of recommendation. The problem is I haven’t really formed a bond with any professor. I have one in mind that I want to ask because I have taken 3 classes with her. I got A’s in every class and she also knows me by name but I barely go to her office hours and I also haven’t had a one on one convo with her so she doesnt really know about my personal/career goals. She just knows how I am academically. What are the chances that she would agree to write me one? Plus if you guys can give me some tips on forming bonds with my future professors, that would be great.
Put together a resume/list of points you would want to be made in the letter, and ask the prof in person. Sounds like you’re on the right track, especially if your intended major is the one this person teaches.
It’s not the class she teaches but what I want to do in the field is kinda related to her class. My intended major is public health & the professor is a stats professor but I want to study epidemiology which is related to stats.
I was pleasantly surprised to realize that a lot of my professors, even the ones I’d only taken for a semester, were happy to write a rec letter for me.
You should go to their office hours and have a talk with them. Lay out your intentions, show them you’re a committed person. At that point they’ll know very well you’re going to ask them for a rec letter. Most will be happy to do so and will ask for a resume with your interests and goals. If a professor doesn’t want to write one for you, they’ll politely say that don’t feel comfortable or wouldn’t accurately portray you, etc…
What I’ve done before is to email the professor first and provide a short explanation of my intent and request a 1 to 1 meeting. During the meeting, the professor actually prepared a few questions for me to answer and took some notes. So, I would definitely recommend at least mentally preparing yourself to answer some basic questions succinctly. Bring your resume with you. Clearly express why you specifically want her to write you a letter.
Remember to write the professor a thank you card after she finishes your letter!
Honestly so far re: getting to know professors, my only tips are going to office hours regularly (think of questions to ask beforehand, I’ve also heard that asking about their research really gets them going), speaking up during class, and doing well in the class.
I asked a professor for a rec after 2 weeks in her class and she said yes!! I think in general professors want you to succeed and will be happy to write you letters as long as you put forth effort in the class.
Go to their office and talk to them in person, give a resume, goals, etc, if you did well in their class it should be fine.