<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am a first semester freshman. One of my instructors, who is an adjunct professor in what will probably be my minor, seemed to like me and think I was a good student. Should I just ask him for a recommendation letter (which I will likely need for internships soon, including for this summer), or should I just send a thank-you email after grades are in and keep in touch?</p>
<p>Why don’t you wait until you are applying to internships for this summer, which will be happening fairly soon, and ask him for a recommendation at that point. It will make it easier for you to ask, and easier for him to write if he knows what he’s recommending you for. He isn’t going to forget you in one semester. Your college will have his contact information, if you don’t already.</p>
<p>I send out simple Christmas cards (or thank-you cards) to all of my professors through campus mail once the semester is over and grades are in and done. Because a lot of internships are online these days, and most professors worth their salt will personalize a letter nominally (with at least the name of the program), I wouldn’t ask for a letter just yet. </p>
<p>I’d do a hand-written card (it’s still an undervalued, appreciated gesture), and then maybe stop by once or twice next semester during office hours and chat with the prof about your current classes (if the adjunct has an office). Then, when you actually know what programs you’ll be applying to, I’d bring in a resume and your final or a paper or something you did in that class to another meeting.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that the best letter is one that, if possible, comes from a professor you’ve visited three or four times during office hours throughout the semester that you’ve had good contact with outside of just good grades in class. The more concrete, positive experiences the letter-writer has with you, the better the letter will be.</p>
<p>^ Definitely agree. I gave my favorite professor a Christmas card, not as to kiss ass, but because he was actually more of a friend than a professor. Don’t get a recommendation letter from a professor who gave you an A, get a letter of rec from a professor who actually knows your name, knows your face, and knows things about you.</p>
<p>Send a thank you note, visit their office several times, and THEN ask for a letter of rec. The more they get to know you, the better your letter of rec.</p>
<p>This was a small, intro level computer science class. One issue with that is that I don’t have physical papers or essays or anything, although I will probably get an A-/A in the class. I went to office hours 1 or 2 times, but talked to him after class and emailed him multiple times. I don’t have an address to send a card to, but I’ll send something, and then ask for a letter in the spring. I know he went out of town on vacation right now anyways, so there is no hurry</p>
<p>Update: I got an A in the class, just found out. </p>
<p>Should I email him now, or in about a week, just to maintain contact? I wanted to ask him about future classes anyways.</p>
<p>BUMP 10char</p>