I took an online course at Cornell over this summer. It was not an introductory course, I think it was a course that comes after taking Intro to Psychology. I really enjoyed the class and did above average by the end (I got an A). I am applying for Cornell (ED) this fall - is there any way that I could ask the professor for that course for a recommendation, or somehow include her name as a “reference” after asking her? I am confused because 1. I don’t know if college professors can just write recommendations like that 2. It was an online course, so I haven’t exactly met her in person.
If the prof got to know you online, she might indeed be able to contribute beyond your transcript A in the course, but I’d guess she’d decline the request.
I want to mention the course somehow, so should I at least mention the professor? I feel as though the course would help me stand out among many applicants, so I want to make it an important part of my application
To expand on what @vonlost said, top schools like Cornell get many, many applicants who have mostly A’s on their transcripts. A great recommendation, to a highly competitive school, has to go beyond “she works hard and earned an A in my course.” The quality of your character and your personality (which should also come across in your essay) is something a good recommendation should entail.
Yes, it’s cool that you took an online course at the school you most want to attend. But you can surely get a more in depth and qualitatively richer recommendation from a teacher at your high school who has come to know you through a year-long class.
If the professor agree to a rec and if the rec will actually add something to the application that’s different from your other recs, feel free to ask. But the simple fact that you took a college course taught by a professor is nothing meaningful.
A recommendation from a prof. who you had for an online course but never met is a bad idea. If the prof. agrees to write a LOR (which is not a sure thing by far) all he/she could say is you got an A. Colleges want LORs from a teacher who knows you – not someone who never spoke to you.
I think you are confused in thinking that Cornell will be impressed by the fact that the LOR is from a professor at that school. That is wrong. Colleges are not particularly concerned about the credentials of the people who write the LOR but rather they are interested in YOUR credentials. Seek out the teachers who can talk to your academic strengths, work ethic etc. the best. I doubt that will be someone you never met.
Cornell will see that you took the course and did well so you will have that as part of your transcript. I don’t think the prof. will add anything meaningful beyond that.