Letters of rec, applying, ect.

<p>I am applying to grad schools for fall 09. This fall is my last semester and I'm wondering if I should wait to send out applications until I get my final grades at the end of this semester. Also, I am planning on asking for letters of rec from 2 professors I have now, but I will probably have to ask them before I've finished taking their classes. Is this ok?? </p>

<p>And lastly, I am applying to grad schools for microbiology, but I feel my gpa/gre scores are sort of low (3.26, and 1260, 650 Q and 610 V). I am a biochemistry major. Do I have a chance of getting in anywhere?</p>

<p>Welcome to the forum Icalla. Your chances of success probably depend more on your research experience than on your other qualifications. I don't think that your gre scores are low and your gpa is high enough that it won't exclude you from consideration. Given appropriate research experience you may be an excellent candidate. Don't wait until december to apply as you risk hitting deadlines that late. Best of luck</p>

<p>Also, for letters of rec, should I only ask professors/research supervisors, or would it be ok to ask someone I used to work for? I worked for a librarian at an ear and eye infirmary, and we organized lists of scientific literature, and obtained journal articles for the infirmary doctors and researchers. Would this be appropriate, or should I stick to professors for my letters?</p>

<p>In your case, the librarian would not be appropriate. Stick with professors.</p>

<p>One more question: I took a lab course and did very well. I was one of the top students in the class. It was a large class and I knew my TA but did not get to know the professor very well. Would it still be ok to contact the professor and ask for a letter of rec?</p>

<p>No. If someone is going to give a ref letter, that some1 should be someone who knows you fairly well.</p>

<p>For lab courses, if the course is small (<20people) and it is a fairly in depth course and you get to know the lab coordinator well, you can use him/her as a referee.</p>