<p>I am going into my senior year of college and am hoping to study abroad (probably for a 2 week winter term so I can finish my required classes on time). All study abroad applications at my school require two letters of recommendation, however. I transferred to my school last fall and have not established any close relationships with professors, although I have done very well in all of my classes. I want to go to Italy so I am thinking of having my Italian 101 professor from last semester write one recommendation, and my English professor (she was a grad student) from my summer session write the other. I am unsure of how to ask for these recommendations; websites I go to say to ask them far in advance, pick someone who knows me well, etc, but these professors don't know me very well - I don't know what else they could say about me besides that I got A's in their classes. Would shooting an email to them be inappropriate? And how should I word my request to them? I want to study abroad so badly and this is pretty much my last two semesters to do it so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Just be polite and courteous. You can ask in person if you know when/where their office hours are, or you could send an email. Most professors are very used to doing something like this and get requests often. Most professors are very nice about doing it for you, and I wouldn’t worry too much about not having amazing letters of rec. Unless you’re applying for some super competitive program, you’re only going to study abroad for two weeks, not go to graduate school. I would just ask in a polite email. Something along the lines of: Dear Dr/Professor X, I would like to study abroad in Italy for winter term, and I wanted to asked if you would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for the program…</p>
<p>You can write something about the program or what you would be studying, when it is, whatever. Just keep it short unless they ask for more. Also let them know when the letter is due so that they can see if they have the time, etc. You can also attach a CV and/or transcript to the email to let them know a little more about you and what you do outside of class. Let them know that you really appreciate their help and time, and that you can provide them with any other information that they need.</p>
<p>If you’re comfortable doing it in person, that’s always a good option, so they can put the name to a face. Just bring your CV and transcript, and if they have any forms they need to fill out for your letter, you can bring those as well.</p>
<p>The application for winter study abroad is due October 1. Is this too short of a notice to ask professors for letters? (Still haven’t asked yet :X ). I’m also really afraid my Italian 101 professor isn’t going to remember me from spring semester; I sat in the front and it was a small class but I didn’t talk a lot. I am probably way over-thinking this…</p>
<p>Don’t worry about short notice, it doesn’t matter now. All you are doing is wasting time. You just have to get it done. Don’t think about it anymore, do it. Just ask because there is nothing else you can do about circumstances now. It is what it is. Have it done by tomorow.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I asked both professors today. It was a lot easier than I expected; both said they would be happy to write letters for me. Fingers crossed that I get accepted now!</p>