<p>I just mentioned in another post about having been to my professors house 3 times... and I was wondering, how well DO people know their professors? Especially for people looking to transfer in the future... I honestly think it takes more than sitting in the front row of class everyday, but then again, my situation is really unique. In any case, any advice for getting to know professors? Especially for people who attend very large universities?</p>
<p>Well, I attend a school with more than 42000 kids, and I got a great reco from my professor whose class had more than 200 students. I used to talk to him outside of class and even during office hours, had a great relationship with the TA and bouced ideas off of him. I attended classes rarely and always sat right behind, but would meet him once in a while just to talk about political theory and stuff.</p>
<p>My university isn't large or small (10,000 undergraduates), but I believe I was able to build very good relationships with professors who ended up writing my recommendations. For my writing class, constant contact with the professor was essential to getting a good grade, so that was not a problem. For the other class, I went and talked to the professor during office hours (to ask advice about transferring and internships, etc. as he was very young and just went through everything himself) and actively participated in class. My advice is go to office hours, talk with the professor not just about the class, but seem interested in learning and in their subject, but also remember not to act as if you are trying to get to know him/her just because you are going to want a recommendation.</p>
<p>Do not speak with your professor under an ulterior motive; if you are really interested in a subject, then speak with him. If you wish to demonstrate some sort of interest for the sake of garnering a recommendation, then the act is objectionable on ethical grounds. Surely one must have rules for not using friends, and surely such rules must apply to other beings since they are, indeed, valuable human beings that demand the same respect.</p>
<p>I agree... I really only have a close relationship with my Japanese professor because thats the only subject I really enjoy. I've always been in love with Japanese culture, and I think that shows through my normal actions. Our Japanese classroom is also a library, so I ask almost every week to borrow a book about japanese culture from my library. It's only been 2 semesters, but I've already taken 3 classes with her. We are also doing linguistics research together now and for 5 weeks during the summer. It also helps that she is a VERY kind lady. Everytime I stop in her office it seems like at least an hour goes by without notice. She is very interested in my life and she knows exactly how I feel about the school I am at. She's just all around awesome to all her students, so I've really latched onto her ^_^</p>
<p>Incorrect. Just coz you don't have an interest in the subject doesn't mean you shouldn't get the recommendation from a professor, even if its all a ploy. You want to transfer? You do what you have to do.</p>
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even if its all a ploy. You want to transfer? You do what you have to do.
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<p>If you feel comfortable with using your professor as a tool, as a means to an end, then there is nothing I can do. All I am stating is my disrespect for those who engage in such an act.</p>
<p>strtrak,</p>
<p>I am truly happy that you have found a suitable relationship with a professor, a relationship that you can profit from in many other ways than merely attaining a recommendation. Professors who encourage and help in the transfer process are those that truly deserve recognition, since they take the student's interest as a priority rather than the university's.</p>
<p>I didn't. But I won't disrespect anyone who did it though.</p>
<p>On the other hand, a lot of students are too shy to ask a professor for a recommendation just because they don't want to bother a "busy professor" when the professor would probably be happy to write them a recommendation. Considering ulterior motives, how many people do you think join community service groups just because they think it will look good on their application?</p>
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Considering ulterior motives, how many people do you think join community service groups just because they think it will look good on their application?
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<p>Yet another act I find objectionable:)</p>
<p>People helping people to look good? As long as they are doing some good, there isn't a problem, atleast thats how I see it.</p>
<p>Thanks nspeds! I think I really posted this because I think a lot of people thing that you need to go to a small school to have a decent relationship with your professors. I think that unless you have TAs teaching every class, then there are definitely ways to get a teacher to notice and bond with you. Too many people expect to just go to class and have these things happen through osmosis. Granted, my school is small at a little less than 3,000... but if numbers were really an issue, I would be close to all my professors, which is certainly not the case.</p>
<p>I will say though, that not everyone has had a passion for something since the 6th grade like I have, so I can understand that it is difficult for many to show interest in something theyve only thought about passively.</p>
<p>hmmm, i can always tell which posts belong to nsped without even looking at his name...verbose? or just wordy. mm hmm, but i agree with him.</p>