I’m trying to apply for a masters degree in engineering and can’t get in contact with professors. Any advice on what I can I do with no references?
Why can’t you reach them?
I’ve tried contacting them but I am not getting replies
I would assume you tried emailing them, but have you tried emailing the chair of the department with a message you are trying to reach Professor X?
That has worked for me when I needed to reach a high school teacher in the past.
What about trying to call them? Should be able to find their office numbers in college directory.
How well did you know these professors? Just take a class and the professor may not remember you that well.
I would be annoyed if a student complained to the department head that I was ignoring their email.
I would email the profs again with a brief description of you as a student and what you are doing now. Use bullet points to list the semesters you were in their class, describe a special project or term paper you wrote if you remember it, what other relevant coursework you took that would prepare you for grad school, your grade in the class and overall GPA, etc.
I didn’t say “complain to the department head”. More of a “Hey, I have been trying to reach Prof X. Is he holding office hours this summer? Can you tell me how to reach him?” If that is being taken as a complaint, perhaps Prof X really should check his work emails more often.
If you have been working for a while, some programs will accept letters from work supervisors.
At the risk of making unfair assumptions, OP, a random email or two isn’t much of an effort. If you were hoping that the answer would be ‘don’t worry about it’ or ‘just tell the Masters program that Covid meant you couldn’t get it’ - it’s not. You have to push yourself to find ways of getting the message to that prof. Then- as @happymomof1 pointed out- think of alternatives. After 3 years of uni you should have more than one prof who can speak to your relevant strengths, yes?
On reflection it occurs to me that the reference system may not clear to you, @Flauros.
At university level, there is an expectation that profs will write references for their students. Writing references takes time and thought, and is part of the unpaid work that comes with life in academia, so although there is an expectation that they will do it- they do not have to- and it counts as a favor for them to do so.
The things that @CheddarcheeseMN noted are things that the student puts together, to help the prof write a good rec. Even if the prof knows you well, they know a lot of students, and it’s in your own interest to help them remember the best (and most relevant) things about you! Letting them know what programs you are applying to and why is also helpful (especially so if it turns out that they know somebody at that program- it happens more often than you might think).
Grad schools put a lot of weight on those references, which puts an extra burden on the prof who writes it: profs get reputations for the reliability of their LoRs. The usual way of asking for an LoR includes something along the lines of ‘would you be able to’. A prof who doesn’t feel that they can write a good recommendation will typically say that they can’t (‘sorry, too busy’) or that they ‘don’t feel that they are the best person’.
When a prof (or anyone) writes an LoR for you, it is good manners to write a short thank you note at the time, but at least send a follow up thanks, with the outcome (s) (even if the outcome is disappointing). It is very (frustrating / irritating / annoying / etc) how students will suddenly appear, all desperate and please-please-please, and you work hard to write an LoR that will show them to best advantage, and then never even know how it worked out!
Be persistent and patient. My D is trying to get 10 LORs this summer and it has been a lot of work getting in touch and then getting them what they need to write the LOR. Lots of follow up involved. Profs just aren’t as easily reached due to current circumstances. Follow up very politely. And don’t send cursory emails. Make sure your initial email is very detailed.
[quote]
I would be annoyed if a student complained to the department head that I was ignoring their email. {/quote]
If you really are seeking info about office hours or the best way to reach a prof, then the department secretary or administrative assistant is the person to contact.
As a professor who has been contacted with many requests, I am very behind myself with doing these. Sorry but helping my current students transition to online learning this summer (yes I teach in summer) is taking all my brain power. Ive lost motivation to write LOR’s to be honest.