Rec's from Profs!

<p>How do you get good recs from profs for graduate school (not one, but three!) if you are an excellent introvert. I find it nerve wracking to talk to profs most of the times but I need to get recs for graduate school. These are the times when I hate being an introvert! :(</p>

<p>Also, once you're done taking a class with the prof, and if you don't see them again, how do your prof's know much about you? Do you have to make an effort to follow up on them for until you apply for grad schools?</p>

<p>Hi amyya03,
First thing I would ask you to do is choose recommenders in whose classes you have fared reasonably well. Once done, just walk up to him or her and tell them in a very polite way that you are interested in applying to grad school and tht as part of ur application process, u would be reqd to submit reco's and whether they would be willing to write u one. Also chooose recomennders who will be willing to write u a proper letter highlighting alll the major aspects.
If u need more help
Drop me a line,
Cheers
Which country u from btw?</p>

<p>I, too, am an introvert and get flustered going about asking for letters of recommendations (I am going thru the process right now in the USA to get into a good anthropology graduate program!). However, in order to make the process much smoother make sure to allow at least a MINIMUM of 2 MONTHS before apps are due to ask professors to write good recs. "Why such a lengthy amount of time?!?" you may ask. Well for a couple of reasons.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>First, professors are usually very busy people. When they are not teaching classes, then they are conducting their own research and/or trying to get papers published, and etc.<br>
Consequently, if you give them a short period of time and say, "Please, get this rec done for me in 2 weeks, they are most likely not going to write you a good rec, and will feel rushed while writing it -- NOT good things. Doesn't matter if you were their best student. Professors do NOT want to be rushed in such a manner.</p></li>
<li><p>I am assuming that you are planning to apply to at least 5 schools if not more. You will want your top three references to write a rec for EACH of said school applications. Needless to say, multiple recs will take longer for the professor to finish them, opposed to just one letter of rec.</p></li>
<li><p>This is probably the most annoying reason why so much time needs to be alloted to ask for recs: it is very rare to come across various grad schools with a universal form for letters of recs. Each school has its own specific form and your professor needs to follow these guidelines. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>Basically, ask way ahead of time if your professors will be willing to write recs. Then ASAP get the school forms for letter of rec to the profs. As the other poster mentioned, make sure that your professors still remember you. Make a time to chat with the professors in their office hours, go have coffee together and catch up with what you have been doing since you finished their class, and perhaps have your CV on hand to show current accomplishment and the like. The more personal the letter of rec will be the BETTER! </p>

<p>Letters of recs can be vitally important to appear as a strong candidate. I know at least in my major, anthropology, that this is essential. In any case, allow for plenty of time for this part of the graduate application process. This can not be overemphasized. Good luck!</p>