Is a Math Professor's Recommendation Suitable for a Chemical Engineering REU?

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SUMMARY

A letter of recommendation from a math professor is suitable for applying to a chemical engineering Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, especially when other relevant professors are unavailable. The discussion emphasizes the importance of personal requests over email for such recommendations, as in-person requests are more respectful and harder to decline. Given the context of attending a community college without engineering classes, any STEM professor who can vouch for the applicant's capabilities is deemed appropriate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the REU application process
  • Familiarity with the importance of letters of recommendation in academic applications
  • Knowledge of STEM fields and their interconnections
  • Effective communication skills for in-person requests
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  • Research the specific requirements for chemical engineering REU programs
  • Learn effective strategies for requesting letters of recommendation
  • Explore networking opportunities with STEM faculty
  • Investigate other potential recommenders in related fields
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Students applying to REU programs, particularly those from community colleges seeking guidance on obtaining letters of recommendation from STEM professors.

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I am trying to apply to chemical engineering REU's for the summer, and I have one physics professor that said he would write a letter for me, but none of my chemistry professors have responded to my e-mails asking if they would write one. Is math a close enough field to get a letter of recommendation from a math teacher? As long as its something STEM? I go to a community college so there are no engineering classes.
 
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Can you not ask them in person? That is much preferred and a more respectful way to do it. Imagine if somebody wanted you to take time out of your busy day to help them with no direct benefit to yourself. Wouldn't you want to be asked in person rather than just emailed the request?

Also its much harder to say no to a student asking you in person than it is to just ignore an email.

Otherwise, I think any STEM area teacher or professor would be good. Math would be fine, as would anybody else that you have had a relevant kind of relationship with and would recommend you. Particularly since you are still at community college and don't have a large pool of potential recommenders to choose from.
 
Well because I am on winter break right now and I want to send out these applications before school starts so I can focus on studying instead of REU applications while I am on break for 3 more weeks.
 

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