<p>Good letters of recommendations are the hardest things to get, I believe. How exactly do you guys get to know the professor? Of course, I go to office hours and try to talk to them; but even that, I feel like they just forget me a few weeks later. </p>
<p>It seems like the only way to really get to know a professor is to do research with one, and even that, is not that easy.</p>
<p>For people who have experience, what are your advices?</p>
<p>Your best bet is to take multiple classes with the same professors. After 2-3 terms, and with frequent office visits and class participation, they will not only know who you are but might show extra interest in your academic growth. Do this, though, without coming off as obsequious.</p>
<p>Show genuine interest in their research and them as a person instead of just a tool to get letters?</p>
<p>mudge:</p>
<p>yea, that's the hardest part. I am genuinely interested in their research, but they just don't remember me. Especially in a class of over 100 people. In addition, they're not even the ones grading assignments; that's the TA's job. So they even don't know how I'm doing in the class.</p>
<p>my bad, I'm coming from my experience. Of my three letter writers, one ran an REU I was involved with and then taught a topics class with about 10 people, the other two taught upper division classes with roughly a dozen students.</p>
<p>Although I was in an upper division communications class of about 150 students and the professor still recognizes me, despite going to office hours twice. </p>
<p>When you talk to them about research, is the dynamic mostly them telling you about their research, or do you mention your take on it as well? I can't remember all the people I've told about my summer REU, but I can remember the ones that mentioned something related that they were thinking about</p>
<p>Well I go to a public school so my predicament is quite similar , my personal suggestion is definitely talk to professors outside of class and just drop by their office hours just to chat with them about their work , (make sure u read up on their stuff so that you do know what you are talking about). Also I would suggest that you should email professors or at least talk to them even if your not taking their classes , a lot of professors have student opportunities even if minor so its not a bad idea just to interact with someone in the field of what your are interested in.</p>
<p>Having said all of that , you will meet a bunch of Profs who are busy and dont really have time to share and hence dont even reply to emails, but you might hear back from a few and its a start.</p>
<p>You might also try to take whatever graduate courses in your major that are offered to undergrads, as a junior or senior. If there are none, you may be able to petition to get into one, or talk to the prof who teaches the class. These are smaller classes, and you will get to know your professor much better, you will be better prepared for grad school, and the prof will know more about you and be more willing to write a letter.</p>
<p>If there are any opportunities for a professor to review your work (I don't know how things work in non-artistic majors, so sorry if this doesn't apply), invite your favorite professor from freshman or sophomore year. This is a good way to keep in touch with someone and foster the development of a recommendation that is based on your body of work and your progress throughout your academic career. Do research or independent study with a professor from one of your previous classes. If you're involved with a student organization, try to become a leader in it and get to know their faculty advisor.</p>
<p>I shunned the concept of office hours, and still had no problem getting great recommendations from professors I got to know through these methods.</p>
<p>Other posters have listed some good tactics. The one I found to be most effective to know a professor (and be known), in a large public research university (Wisconsin), is one-on-one or small group indepedent study/research. Not surprisingly, as I have learnt later, this is also quite true in some small private schools. </p>
<p>I think it's worth noting some of the best LORs I have read are written by professors who clearly view their students as "colleagues" or "collaborators". These LORs often contain detailed account of someone's work ethic, interests, talents and/or accomplishments. So, I always advocate trying to develop a professional working relationship (as in a academia setting) with your professors as you go.</p>
<p>Take 2 or 3 course with them consecutively and sit at the front of the class so they recognize you. Frequent office hours will help. It's better if you approach them and see if they have any available T.A. openings or doing any research studies (ok this is more for psychology.)</p>
<p>Everyone has definitely had some great suggestions. Here is what worked for me:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Always visit office hours a few times during the semester. Try to think of interesting questions that go beyond the scope of the class and delve into the Professor's research interest. Then, and this is the hardest part, stay in touch with the Prof after the semester is over. You can just stop during office hours or send an email every once in a while. </p></li>
<li><p>Do research with a Professor - this is obviously the best option because you will get to spend time 1 on 1 time and it will give the Prof a chance to realize that you are smart and dedicated.</p></li>
<li><p>If you write a thesis, give a copy to any Profs that you liked - especially if they are in a related field.</p></li>
<li><p>Try to schedule an appointment to discuss your career objectives. Pick their brains and ask them about what jobs / graduate schools they would recommend for you. Professors like giving people advice especially if they know you are going in to their field. You'll be surprised how willing they will be to have this kind of meeting especially if they already recognize you from class.</p></li>
<li><p>If you ever have an opportunity to spend time with your Profs in a more social setting - definitely go for it!!! I was at NYU with HUGE classes, but I ended up finding a very RANDOM, but fun opportunity to go fishing with some classmates and one of my Professors. It was a little strange at first and we didn't catch much - but we all got to know each other. Anyway it is now 5 years later and that Prof just gave me an outstanding recommendation for graduate school!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Research + graduate level courses + capable performance in both == proof you can handle graduate school</p>
<p>Oh, and arranging independent study may also be extremely helpful [especially in showing off self-motivation. Also, there is no formal education beyond a certain level - which is where the ability to self-teach oneself really starts to show]</p>