<p>So apparently, 2 letters of recommendation is highly recommended by top schools to be submitted for the admissions. I was told to get the same 2 professors again for the upcoming semester or year once either one has previously ended. Anybody knows how difficult would it be to get the same teachers again? </p>
<p>Is this necessary?</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s at all necessary that you go out of your way to be put in a class that the same professor is teaching. Pick classes based on your schedule, how hard they are, and if you can do well in them. Ask two professors who know you and your academic work. If you feel that you need to take a professor for a second semester in order for them to write you a good rec, you should ask someone else.</p>
<p>Is one semester even enough for a professor to judge you on the personal quality of your work and personality?</p>
<p>Yes. Go to their office hours, talk to them about things other than school so they can get to know you as a person. If the prof is doing research, see if you can help, even if it isnt directly related to your major. Find other programs the prof may be the head of on campus or in the community and volunteer in those. There’s many ways to get to know a prof without taking his/her classes.</p>
<p>There’s something that I’m wondering myself: Why make ties with more than 2 professors when you only need to know 2?</p>
<p>Its always good to know as many profs as you can, though Id stress quality over quantity. What if you dont get into your desired school, what if one of them writes a less than spectacular rec, retires, you make a bad grade in class. I had 2 main ones, and like 3 back ups. Also, you can ask for extra copy to a school you wont apply to and read it to see if its legit. My recs were open so I got to read them anyway.</p>
<p>I asked my chemistry professor who also happened to be my adviser right before fall semester ended, so she had only known me for a few months. My other rec came from a professor that I had never had in class, but I had contacted her about working in her lab, and I worked full-time for five weeks in January/Feb, then part-time during spring semester. I asked her about four weeks into working, having been in contact with her since October. One semester is fine, provided you have been to office hours more than once with legitimate questions and have performed exceptionally well in class.</p>
<p>How do you establish a leadership position if you lose to an organization or club election?</p>
<p>^ Bump…</p>
<p>Start your own or become chair of a committee and make it sound important.</p>
<p>Ugh, that’s difficult. I’d rather be elected instead. :/</p>