<p>Just wondering exactly how to approach each professor for recs. Here are all my Qs:</p>
<p>1)Should I bring addressed and stamped envelopes with me? or wait until after talking with the professors?
2)Should I bring a FULL copy of my resume (4 pages) or just the ONE page brief?
3)How should I start by talking with the prof? One of my profs (my favorite of all my teachers and who really likes me) is also an advisor in my Honors program who got his BA at the school. With finals in the coming week and considering I am taking his class next semester ( I really like him) how should I approach my talking with him?</p>
<p>4)Should I say something along the lines of: "Dr. (...) I know this may seem odd, but I have been thinking about the possibility of transferring recently. I really enjoy the many of the professors and classes, especially yours (he already knows it) and feel I can progress, especially in the (honors program). However, I can't help but wonder what would have happened had I been able to attend the (Ivies) I was accepted to and other such schools I applied to in HS (I would name some of them). I am interested in pursuing Economic Development while also focusing on Biological Sciences, with an intent to fuse my two interests into (... career). And after talking with the Economics professor who most fully addresses my academic interests (another rec writer), I don't know whether {my school) offers enough scope for that. I talked with my parents about it and some {Honors program) friends who have encouraged me to proceed understanding that I feel compelled to let myself fully pursue my academic dreams and satiate my "what could have beens" while also knowing I will be happy if I don't gain acceptance anywhere and remain at (school). Having truly enjoyed every aspect of your class from discussions to lectures to the essay writing and critiquing, I would love and really appreciate if you could write a recommendation for me to these schools."
^Anything else to say? Wow, that felt really nice to write that.</p>
<p>If your experience turns out to be anything like mine:</p>
<p>
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Should I bring addressed and stamped envelopes with me? or wait until after talking with the professors?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>No. Professors must use their own official college stationary, so your envelopes won't help them. You could bring stamps, but when I did, my recommenders said they didn't need them as the college provides them with stamps. Still, I guess it does show your willingness to help. Just give them a list of the addresses for the schools.</p>
<p>
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Should I bring a FULL copy of my resume (4 pages) or just the ONE page brief?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I just did one page. You could do 4, but I don't know that it'd really matter. Their evaluation is more likely to be a reflection of their relationship with you in class - a single page brag-sheet is usually enough to get the point that you're a good student across.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How should I start by talking with the prof? One of my profs (my favorite of all my teachers and who really likes me) is also an advisor in my Honors program who got his BA at the school. With finals in the coming week and considering I am taking his class next semester ( I really like him) how should I approach my talking with him?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I asked both of my professors after class. When I actually went into their offices later to give them the materials, I discussed what direction I was taking in life...coming from a CC, I didn't really need to explain why I was leaving, but I did talk to them about the school choices I had made and they were very pleased to hear I had put so much time and preparation into picking my schools and handling the application process. I also talked about why I'd chose my major...my math teacher and I ended up going on for about 30 minutes discussing Chicago and economics, which was really interesting. Just be yourself and, since you're leaving a school that you could graduate from, explain why you're leaving.</p>
<p>Edit: Actually, your big paragraph about what you'll say is pretty good. ;) Good luck.</p>
<p>Just wanted to say that everything went off ultra smoothly. In fact, my econ professor interrupted me by saying that he felt I should transfer to the University of Chicago (before even said it) and could get an another rec for me from another prof in the department who did grad work there =)</p>
<p>Also, I don't think you need to bring your resume when you go to talk to them for the first time. Just bring a willingness to talk.</p>
<p>Thanks nspeds, I understand your comment. But actually, my prof. gave that prof. an essay I had written to evaluate because it concerned his specialty. So he has an idea of my abilities, in some respect.</p>
<p>Would that modify the circumstances, if only slightly, considering that I would not be asking for the rec?</p>
<p>Also, if I'm in an Honors Program, should I ask the Honors Dean to write a recommendation for me, or the dean of the major college that I'm in, i.e. Dean of Natural Sciences/Liberal Arts and Social Sciences?</p>
<p>
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Would that modify the circumstances, if only slightly, considering that I would not be asking for the rec?
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</p>
<p>No. You want a rec from a professor with whom you've had at least one class.</p>
<p>Your paper writing skills are not the dimensions by which your personality is measured; class participation, character, intellectual curiosity, and so forth are also dimensions, and they cannot be adequately described by reading one paper.</p>
<p>Prof recs from your own teachers are the key ones. Many schools have a "Dean Form", not really a rec, but a Dean's statement basically that you are in good standing at your current school, would be welcome to stay, and are not on the "list of regular troublemakers" at the school.</p>
<p>A Dean's recommendation, beyond the above, would likely only be useful if the Dean has taught you or worked with you academically in some way.</p>