Get recommendations for graduate schools while not in school?

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SUMMARY

To secure academic recommendations for graduate school, it is essential to establish relationships with professors, especially if you graduated without strong connections. Taking relevant courses can facilitate this process, allowing you to engage with instructors who may provide recommendations. It is crucial to seek letters from individuals who have attended graduate school themselves, as this is often a requirement. Additionally, reaching out to instructors of courses where you excelled, even without a prior relationship, can yield positive results.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of graduate school application requirements
  • Familiarity with academic networking strategies
  • Knowledge of course selection to enhance professor relationships
  • Awareness of the role of personal tutors in academic settings
NEXT STEPS
  • Research effective networking techniques with professors
  • Explore online or evening courses to build new academic relationships
  • Investigate the role of personal tutors in the UK educational system
  • Learn how to approach former instructors for recommendations
USEFUL FOR

Prospective graduate students, individuals seeking academic recommendations, and anyone looking to strengthen their academic relationships post-graduation.

PhillipWong
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I graduated in 2010 with a degree in math. Now I wish to go to graduate school, but I have no one I can think of that I would help me write a academic recommendation. I never build any relationships with professors when I was in college. From reading what I can online, I am told that I should take a course, or two to build new relationships with professors, but for me it is hard to run off, because I still have work, and job to do.
 
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You need letters from your old professors. It may not be the ideal situation, but you don't seem to have any alternatives - the letters have to come from people who went to grad school themselves.
 
I'm in a similar situation, but two of my physics professors have retired. :(
 
Are there any courses that you did particularly well in? You could ask the instructors of those courses to write you a recommendation, even if you didn't build a relationship with them.

And what about your personal tutor? I don't know about other countries, but all undergraduate students in the UK have personal tutors.
 

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