Letters of Reference/Recommendation

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Who do you normally ask for a letter of recommendation? Professor? Mentor? Counselor? Boss? who?</p>

<p>I am not in search of a letter right now, but it is something that I've been thinking about. I know for HS, getting letters from organization faculty sponsors was a big thing but in college our faculty advisors don't really do anything with our organizations. I'm on the exec board of my sorority but I've met with our faculty advisor like twice. I don't think it'd be appropriate to have the president of the sorority or anything to write as she is just a student. I have a mentor who is a professional working woman and we're on good terms but I only meet with her probably 4-5 times a year. I have worked in internships and could have my boss write one but I worked for each of them for only 3-4 months. Do I have a professor who I've only had for one semester write me a letter? I have a good rapport with some of my professors but once again it's not a long term thing. I haven't had any of my professors more than one semester and I don't think I ever will. I know the dean of my college fairly well because of volunteer positions I've held and I think he would write me a letter but I'm not sure how believable that would be. I don't think his letter would be very deep... just that I'm a dedicated, driven student blah blah blah. </p>

<p>So who would be appropriate to get letters of recommendation from?</p>

<p>Who have you gotten letters of recommendation from? </p>

<p>In the short term I need to start getting letters for summer internships but next fall I will need them for grad school and law school applications.</p>

2

<p>Yes, I'm in the same boat; I don't do a good job of connecting with my professors in the classroom.</p>

3

<p>I wouldn't say it a problem of connecting I just think that our relationship doesn't last beyond the end of the semester... I am on a first name basis with all of my professors this semester even in my big lectures with 300+ kids. I just don't feel like that's enough to warrant a letter of rec. </p>

<p>People have said that doing research is a good way to start a rapport but I don't feel like people do research in my field at my school. I was offered to do research over this past summer but I really wasn't interested in what they were doing and declined.</p>

4

<p>I think as you get into higher-level courses in your major the classes get smaller and you are able to interact with your professor more directly. A lot of the professors in my larger classes are helpful but it's hard to get to know them in a 100-200 person class. I don't think getting references will be something to worry about once you get into smaller and more specialized classes.</p>