<p>I'm a freshman at a mid-sized, mid-ranked school applying to transfer for the fall. I already have one professor writing a recommendation for me, but one of my schools, Mills, requires two professor recommendations. Besides this professor, there isn't one I feel who could write a rec. for me. All of my classes last semester, besides the one, were huge and lecture-based. And I didn't have to write papers for any of them. My one smaller lab was taught by a TA who doesn't speak English. This semester, it's not any better. </p>
<p>With a month until Mills' application is due, I have to decide now. Do I pick a Spanish professor who only knows me through a few broken sentences in a language I'm just starting to learn, a fresh-out of grad school philosophy professor who's class is kind of a joke, or a very busy (doing work for the cia apparantly...) politics professor of my large intro class? (The assingments for this class, by the way are two tests. The midterm and final).</p>
<p>A couple qx so maybe we can brainstorm. Do you know what you plan to major in? Besides the one non-English speaking TA, did you have any other TA's in your large lecture classes - (sometimes the TA/prof collaborate on a rec)? Have you already had the midterm for the large politics class and did you do well? If so, that might be a good bet. Ask to make an appt with the prof, do a bullet point one-pager of why you're transferring/your interests/accomplishments in related coursework etc. And/or do this with the TA.</p>
<p>I called one of my colleges with the same question and I asked if I could get one high school rec. They said that since I'm a freshman applying to be a sophomore then I could use one professor and one high school teacher. I think most colleges let you do that if you're a freshman (but not for sophomores)</p>
<p>I'm kind of in the same boat as you...But I think my method should be good enough. I'm an eco major and am taking microeco right now in a lecture class that also has a small recitation class once a week with about 50 students. Since I took HL Economics (IB) in HS for a year and did pretty good (predicted 7), I thought that I would explain the situation to the prof/TA (I haven't decided who yet) and say that although they don't know me I can give them a couple of essays that might show that I'm very interested in economics and have a good background (atleast for HS). That way they know more about my academic capabilities. The bad part is that they don't know me as a person, but at this point we don't have a choice. It's not like I'm going to ask them out for dinner...but I can see why a quick lunch might be acceptable.</p>
<p>I agree that you should also send a HS rec., but if I were you, I would send it as an extra rec that doesn't replace a required college req. That's what I'm doing, hopefully it will be worth the effort.</p>
<p>What a helpful response Spicoli. Considering I have all other application materials for Mills finished and the application deadline is April 1 (to be considered for merit scholarships, there is actually rolling admission), I don't believe I've been procrastinating at all. </p>
<p>I'm sure a few of my professors would write me a standard rec, but I was holding out for another outstanding rec. While I have made every effort to communicate with my professors this semester (more than I did last semester), I was hoping to at least have a few grades by now. I just took the midterm in my government class (I think I did well) and since my major is political science, I'll ask the professor of this class, even though he intimidates me. I'm not used to barely getting to know my teachers. I guess the hardest part is biting the bullet and just asking.</p>
<p>Um, if you're considerate, 30 days is about as short of a window you should give an instructor to write a rec.. </p>
<p>Why does the rec have to come from an instructor from this semester? A rec is a rec, as long as they got to know you and you sat in their class.</p>