<p>I will probably ask for LORs from my two research professors, but most applications require three. My faculty adviser has offered to write me a recommendation, but I had her for a class my freshmen year, and I've talked to her maybe a grand total of 4 times since then.</p>
<p>I'm doing teaching assistant this semester, but there is minimal interaction with the professor(s), unless you do a bad job and they have to talk to you about it... But if my mid-term TA evaluations turn up well, then some positives on teaching skills might be better than a generic letter, right?</p>
<p>Aside from that, I have no idea where the third letter would come from. Previous professors wouldn't make very good letters anyway, the past acquaintances with whom I have collaborated such as post docs or scientists have been pretty brief. I could maybe ask a graduating grad student help me write one, but it'll probably be inappropriate since I'm already asking one from the professor.</p>
<p>If you don’t have a relationship with a third professor who could write you a letter, then it’s your obligation to cultivate one. Make an appointment with your faculty advisor, or with one of the professors teaching the class you TA, and talk about graduate school applications, your research interests, careers in science – whatever.</p>
<p>I did setup an appointmeent with my faculty adviser about some grad school quetions. But she had to reschedule to an earlier time today, and I forgot about that and missed her. Not a very good start is it?</p>
<p>I think I should really pull myself together and start taking this seriously. I still have a ton to do, particularly the SOP, GRE and any fellowships that I should look into.</p>
<p>It’s semi-clear how I might try to build a relationship with my faculty adviser. But I’m not sure how to approach my TA professor, who’s in a different department. Should I just setup a meeting with her and tell her about my situation this week?</p>