Hi,
I am a freshman looking to transfer to a really good school for sophomore year. I need two rec letters from professors and I was wondering how exactly to ask them (setting, over email, what to say, etc.). One of them knows my name but I don’t know him personally, the other is a professor of a huge lecture hall that doesn’t know who I am out of his many many students, which makes it harder for me to ask.
Thanks!
You should not be asking recommendation letters from professor that do not know you / know you only by name.
@TransferStalker I’m a freshman a couple months into the term, I have no professors that know me personally. This is my only choice
The best way to get to know your professors is to frequent their office hours to chat / ask for help. Have you attended those?
@TransferStalker no i have not, i have 1 more week before winter break and then I switch professors for all my classes. (I am on a quarter system). So I don’t think I can start doing what you suggested now since the application is due March 1st and I want to ask them soon. I do have A’s in their classes which is why I was initially confident in the chocie of asking them.
That’s definitely the issue. You should ALWAYS attend office hours whenever you can.
At this point, I see that it’s your only option, but please realize that there’s a VERY likely that both will say no.
go to their office hours; bring a resume and an outline of your accomplishments at the university you are currently at (ie club memberships; summary of courses and grades); be prepared with how and when the letter is to be sent (if paper- bring an addressed envelope)- and most importantly- remember that you are asking. Let them know your situation and then ask “would you be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me?”-- if they say no or express uncertainty, thank them for listening to your request and find someone else. best of luck!
I have no accomplishments at University because I have only been here two months, however i can bring a resume in general. Should I wait until we get back from winter break January after 1st term is over or should I do it this week?
@kawledge123 I would do it as soon as you can… that way they’ll have plenty of time and won’t feel rushed.
what if i go to office hours and there are other people there? how do I meet with them 1 one 1?
You would have to ask for an appointment for a 1 on 1 meeting. When is the letter due? Many professors are very busy at end of term so it’s a lousy time to be asking them to do extra work on a deadline.
Maybe you’re better off reusing high school teacher recommendations if your profs don’t know you?
@AroundHere The letter is due on March 1st, and I can’t use high school recs when applying for transfer. I will try to ask them for a 1 on 1 meeting, however, thanks
Hi I am extactly in the same boat. I plan to go to the last office hours this week, wait until everyone is gone and then go ask him in person. I would tell him I’ll shoot him an email afterwards. Then I would invite him on Common App; send him an email saying I’ve added them. In the email I would also tell him more about my decision, thank him again.
Hope that helps you!
@woodmoon thanks, that was very helpful especially the bit about inviting him on commonapp.
sorry for the delayed response