<p>Okay it seems this question is sort of hard to answer. And I have learned a lot from the previous thread about how to build up good relationship with prof. The problem I am facing rite now is my prof. is familiar with me and my academic interest/strength. However shouldn't the recommendations include prof.'s reflection about my personalities? How can I make my prof. acquainted with my personality? Is it appropriate to stop by and talk about my characteristics? isn't it too weird?
thx in advance. any input is appreciated. :)</p>
<p>that would indeed seem very creepy and artificial, i think</p>
<p>remember, what the college is looking for primarily in your prof. rec. is your academic potential and how well you will handle the courseload if you are accepted as a transfer...your performance in class at your current institution is the best indicator of how you will perform at your transfer college...characteristics relevant to your acceptance (intellectual engagement, motivation, etc.) are things that your prof. should know about from your performance in their class...characteristics not relevant to your acceptance (whether you are outgoing, shy, bubbly, like rainy days, etc.) are things not necessary to convey to your prof...</p>
<p>if you want to forge a deeper relationship with your prof before you get a rec., go to office hours and discuss topics relevant to your class</p>
<p>I'm a student at UMD=very large lectures, and I manage to do it...not necessarily with the intent of getting a rec letter out of it...nonetheless, its really very simple...you just have to be interested in the class really...start thinking of ways to test your professors knowledge in the courses by asking questions that push the bounds of what is expected of you...if you want a professor to really remember you, you can't merely go to office hours or approach them after class and ask the same questions that everyone else asks...they'll never remember you...read up on your professors, check out their curriculum vitae online...see if they do research or merely lecture...then make them think harder than they normally would...the key is just to push the bounds, either by asking questions that wouldn't normally arise until a higher level course, or merely thinking about possible applications of the material in ways that aren't discussed in the text or in lecture...at the end of the day, all this comes down to is taking an interest in the course rather than viewing it as a means to an end...the essence of it is very simple</p>
<p>okay, got cha! deft. the essence is the academic things...that won't be hard for me.</p>
<p>IllusionBmore, I have several large lecture classes too!(dont be surprised that my econ class has 500 ppl.) Once I was attempting to answer the professor's question in class, I felt so awkward talking in front of so many ppl! Since I'm current a freshman, I dont have a chance to join the research group(usually sophomore could join the "unofficial groups", junior and senior do have a chance to approach the "official research groups"). I have had enough with the big lecture classes which is the primary motivation for my transfer application.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm a freshman too. I know how you feel, but I have some tips.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Go to his office hours. My math professor teaches hundreds of students, but usually no one goes to his office. So by just going you easily set yourself apart. </p></li>
<li><p>Ask questions beyond the assignment/lecture. If you ask hard questions in the textbook or more interestingly, proofs then it's even better. For example, for math ask how to derive the chain rule. If your in an intro microecon class ask about game theory. How does communication/strategic moves change prisoner's dilemma? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>3.Do not ask about how he thinks about you or "characteristics". First, that's too awkward. It's hard for people to say negatives about others in their face. Second, so if you need him to write a reference for transfers or applying for a job, then he'll put the pieces together. "That student only came to my office hours so that he can get a great resume". That's pretty bad.</p>
<ol>
<li>Basically, be interested in the course. If a math geek wouldn't ask his professor about his "characteristics" then you shouldn't.</li>
</ol>
<p>To the OP:
I think that would be a little weird to stop by and talk to him about your "characteristics." If I get you correctly, you're saying that you probably feel comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation from this person, but you just don't think he knows enough about you personally to write a strong letter?</p>
<p>Why don't you try this: When the time is right, ask him if he'll write you a good letter. If he will, write up a "personal narrative" or personal statement and give it to him along with all of your other recommendation materials (stamped envelopes, CV, ECT). Not only does this make for a stronger letter, it's also just a courteous thing to do because it lets the writer know where you're coming from and where you're going. I've done this before and it was very well received - everyone was quite impressed that I'd gone to the trouble of doing it, and it made their life easier too.</p>
<p>MrWretch,</p>
<p>What kind of things would you say in this personal narrative/statement. I am guessing it would be different (and shorter) from a personal statement in a transfer essay.</p>
<p>The one I wrote was ~800 words, but I've had a long and "non-traditional" education thing kickin' for quite some time... ;)</p>
<p>I'd just say that the personal narrative/statement should be an academic (and somewhat personal) bio of yourself that lets the prof. know where you are coming from and where you want to go from here. That way, whatever he/she writes in their letter can ring true with what you had to say in your transfer essay, ECT. Spend time reading up on personal statement writing and pay particular attention to the things that make the statement "personal," YOUR story. Don't be afraid to make it interesting and appealing. When I did mine, it felt really easy. You might start by pretending you are telling an aunt (or someone) what you have been up to in school for the last few years and then answer your aunt's invariable question "so what do you want to do with that?" And of course, your aunt will always be interested in your personal reasons for why you have made the decisions you've made so put those in there too... I also wouldn't sweat writing this letter to your professor in "academic" english either; I made mine very conversational. On second thought, most of my profs. were science so you may want to judge that for yourself depending on who you're giving it too =p</p>