<p>i’m going to be a sophomore this fall, and i’m planning on applying as a transfer for fall '07. I have a couple of questions regarding recommendations:</p>
<li><p>Is it a good or a bad idea to have both recs from professors in your major?</p></li>
<li><p>If the answer is “good”, then I’ll be asking for one rec from a professor who i’ve never had before. If apps are due in february, when is the latest I could ask the professor? I’m concerned that she won’t know me very well until later on in the semester.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>ask either at the very end of the fall semester or the start of the spring semester. you need time for them to get to know you, and it seems that professors are more relaxed at those times.</p>
<p>It's certainly fine to have both recs from your major. Not necessary, though. How can you be sure you'll want her for a rec if you've never had her? I get that her reputation may be such that you think you'll want her, but I would wait until the end of the fall semester, as forgiven says. For <em>most</em> schools, the deadline for your app is firm, but there is flex in the time frame for the supporting materials - including recs - to come in. So you have plenty of time.</p>
<p>If you ask her around Xmas break, that will give her plenty of time to do your rec(s).</p>
<p>you got it right ... reputation! hopefully the two of us will click well. thanks for your help!</p>
<p>also - i plan on asking another prof who i had last semester and will be taking a class with this semester as well...should i ask him around christmas also or should i ask earlier since he already knows me?</p>
<p>I'd generally reccomend asking around christmas.. give yourself time for him to get to know you better and hopefully your good semester grades will be reflecte in the reccomendation.</p>
<p>however, i thought that most transfer apps were due in March</p>
<p>donpon - Why don't you let him know that you would like him to write a rec, tell him they're due around Feb/Mar/whatever... and ask him when he'd like you to give him the forms/envelopes?</p>
<p>mjoe - i think they mostly are due in March, but there are exceptions</p>
<p>i emailed my profs over winter break, and asked for their personal suggestions of where to apply. then a few days before the spring semester began, i went to their offices and gave them the forms; that way, they were prepared. both of my profs were extremely supportive. my recs were from a phys and french prof... i'm sure it really doesn't make a difference, but i have read that the more diverse the better</p>