Three really dumb questions

Graduate School
1

<p>1) I'm really worried about letters of recommendation. I go to a major state school in Europe. Now, I don't know if any of you studied abroad at a public university in France/Spain/Italy, but if you have, you might have noticed that there are about 1000 people per lecture. So, basically, I've never had any type of tutorial or small-group session that would allow me to get to know the teacher (some know my name, but mainly because I have a foreign last name and it gets their attention). There have been teachers that have given me amazing grades, some even with special mentions, but they don't know me... Do you guys think it would be extremely weird to ask a teacher who seems kind and gave me a good grade to write me a letter if he doesn't know who the hell I am? (I know this is unthinkable in the American model of university, but it's the norm here). How would you go about asking? Oh, and how would I get those letters translated? I doubt my teachers will speak English well enough to write me a decent letter. </p>

<p>2) About GRE prep... Basically, I need to get an amazing verbal grade if I want to get a grant that would allow me to go study in the US. Would you guys recommend going to the US to take a course? I remember when I was going to international school, the school psychologist tried to talk some of us into going to New York to take a course that guaranteed a 1400 to those who got at least 1250 on their first attempt. I'm guessing there are equivalents for the GRE? However, I really don't want to get caught up in all that commercial crap if I can train myself just as well with the GRE book that costs 20 dollars. Personal experiences would be greatly appreciated...</p>

<p>3) How do admissions people view (southern) European schools? I've studied in Madrid and in Paris in two schools with great reputations around here...It's not so much that they're great; they're just as good as they get around here. (Also, considering I haven't paid a cent for tuition, and that the EU has been paying me to go school for three years, it's not too bad). However, I don't know if the fact that I got my undergrad here will put me at a disadvantage. </p>

<p>Thank you very much for you time.</p>

2

<ol>
<li><p>Many, many people get letters of rec from profs who don't really know them. They still get into grad school but probably not their first choice. So yes, try to find a nice prof and try to set up an appointment and explain your situation.</p></li>
<li><p>Look up vocabulary lists on google for the GRE and SAT and memorize them - its free and better than the prep. For reading, read things like Harper's, Atlantic Monthly, best american essays series, etc. </p></li>
<li><p>It won't hurt you I think.</p></li>
</ol>

3

<p>Regarding the GRE, there's nothing magical about test prep companies. In fact, a lot of people--probably not the majority--feel a little ripped off after a prep course. That said, some people will learn better in a classroom environment. If you have the capability to teach yourself, though, you will do better with that route.</p>

<p>My advice, do a search for 'GRE' or 'GRE prep' on Amazon's American site, and read all of the reviews for the major results. The reviewers really throw out a lot of good advice and give you a feeling for how each book might benefit you.</p>

<p>Hope this helps,
Joe</p>

4

<p>Many American students are in the same situation as you are in terms of getting recs. Make an appointment with a prof who gave you some special notice on your grade, discuss your situation and your goals, and offer to supply anything that might help that prof remember you better while writing the letter: a paper or exam from the class, your statement of purpose for your grad school applications, your transcript. </p>

<p>I'd suggest you start with a GRE prep book, go through it, and take some of the practice exams. If you need to do more prep, you don't have to come to the US. You can take a prep course online.</p>