Trying to get Late LORs

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>So I've made the decision that I want to go to graduate school. I'm aware that I have waited until the 11th hour to make this decision but I'm now certian that grad school is something I want to do. To be brief, my undergrad degree in in Physics and I plan on going to grad school in Aerospace Engineering. </p>

<p>I've been talking to one professor about this pretty regularly and plan on asking her for a letter of recommendation. I've succeeded in her classes so I think she can write me at least a decent LOR. </p>

<p>However, most grad schools seem to require a minumum of 3 LORs. This poses a problem for me on who to ask for a LOR. Since I'm switching fields, a LOR from my boss in my previous internship would not be too helpful. The "admissions" section on most of the college websites suggest that I get three LORs from professors whom I've taken classes with. </p>

<p>So obviously there are other professors who I've taken classes with. However, I've had little or no interaction with these professors. Although I've recieved A's in their classes, I'm wondering if it would be appropriate for me to ask them for an LOR given that I've hardly spoken to them before. </p>

<p>So basically my question is: Is it appropriate to ask a professor for an LOR when he/she hardly knows me BUT I succeeded in their classes? Or am I just screwed when it comes to getting an LOR at this point?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Another Note: I'm not trying to get into elite schools like MIT, Stanford, etc. The schools that I'm looking at are UC-Irvine, Colorado University, University of Maryland, University of Washington, UC-Davis, and other mid- to top-tier schools.</p>

2

<p>Any ideas/help?</p>

3

<p>Well you have to ask 3 people, so ask your boss from the previous internship and pick the professor you know the best/who seems the nicest.</p>

<p>I was pretty screwed for my 3rd letter too. Tried to go to office hours for one class this semester and asked the professor but she wasn’t too supportive. So I tried asking a different professor who was much nicer and willing to help even though she barely knew me. The grad student TA knows me better and is helping her write it though.</p>

4

<p>It helps if you can remind the professors of your work in their class (not just the final grade). If you have any old papers to show them, it may jog their memory. Also, the more you can provide them with detail about the program you are applying to and the reasons their individual reference may help, the easier it will be to write and the stronger it will be for the adcom.</p>