What Is the Minimum Familiarity Required to Request a Letter of Recommendation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate level of familiarity required to request a letter of recommendation from professors, particularly in the context of applying to college or graduate school. Participants share their experiences and concerns regarding networking with faculty and the implications for their applications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses anxiety about asking a professor for a recommendation after a semester has passed since taking their class, questioning the acceptable standard of familiarity.
  • Another participant suggests that writing recommendations is a standard part of a professor's responsibilities and encourages the original poster to ask without fear of bothering the professor.
  • Some participants discuss the importance of networking and building relationships with professors, noting that their school has different requirements for undergraduate research that facilitate this.
  • Concerns are raised about the rarity of research opportunities at some institutions, with one participant indicating that only a small percentage of their class engages in research.
  • Another participant mentions that taking a graduate course with a professor could enhance the chances of receiving a positive recommendation, as the professor is more familiar with their capabilities.
  • There are reflections on the lack of emphasis on networking with professors at some schools, with suggestions that institutions could do more to facilitate these connections.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that professors are accustomed to writing recommendation letters and that it is acceptable to ask them. However, there is disagreement regarding the necessity and effectiveness of networking, with some feeling they have not done enough to establish connections with faculty.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying institutional practices regarding research requirements and networking opportunities, which affect participants' experiences and strategies for obtaining recommendations.

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It's that time of year again when everyone is applying to college/grad school! I myself am wrapping up my applications to the 3 uni's I have chosen to pursue attending. I'm graduating with honors, have a decent GRE and so on - all the things that look good on paper - but I am really getting stuck on letters of recommendation.

The uni's I am applying to ask for three letters from professors from your undergrad institution. I've gotten to know a couple professors, and I currently work with one who is supervising my honors thesis, and another I intend to work this spring/summer for, but the third one is a real sticking point, and I'm stressing quite a bit over who to ask to write my third recommendation letter.

I have a person in mind, but it's been a semester since I took a class with him. I went to his office hours a few times, and we've talked in the hallways some since, but I wonder what you all believe is an acceptable standard of familiarity before you can ask someone to write a recommendation? On one hand, I really want to go to grad school and I think his recommendation would be good, but on the other hand I really don't want to bug him - though I know him to be really amicable.

What are your thoughts? How should I approach the issue? My current plan is to drop by his office this week, ask him if he could vouch for me, and supply him with a resume and such since it's been awhile. Thanks!
 
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Doesn't your school have required undergrad research under a professor? We have to take 3 credits of it, ideally 1 per quarter with a different prof. This is to make sure you make some contacts...

Seems like you're SOL, so your only choice is to contact that guy.

Also, how are you going to get Guy #2 to write you a letter if you haven't worked for him yet?
 
Of course just ask him! Writing recommendations is part of every professor's job, and he certainly won't be bothered or insulted. If he doesn't remember you or otherwise seems unwilling, he'll let you know and then you should just drop it. I knew someone who insisted once... and the professor *did* write him a letter, but...
 
yeah, it's part of their job description
 
Poop-Loops said:
Doesn't your school have required undergrad research under a professor? We have to take 3 credits of it, ideally 1 per quarter with a different prof. This is to make sure you make some contacts...
No, in fact it's fairly rare at my school. ~5-10% of my class of 5500 do any form of research, I'd say.

Also, how are you going to get Guy #2 to write you a letter if you haven't worked for him yet?

I know him already and am currently taking a grad class with him that I'm acing. He's not exactly my advisor, but he definitely knows my positive qualities.

I do feel like I am SoL to an extent, but only because I regret not networking a bit better and getting to know my professors outside of lecture. All of the ones I have gotten to know more or less do some really neat things that they don't mention at all in class. Thanks for the words of encouragement, Jim Kata/TMFKAN64.
 
jhicks said:
No, in fact it's fairly rare at my school. ~5-10% of my class of 5500 do any form of research, I'd say.

I meant out of the physics people. It's a requirement for the physics BS here. Can't speak for other degrees.

I know him already and am currently taking a grad class with him that I'm acing. He's not exactly my advisor, but he definitely knows my positive qualities.

Cool. Having taken a grad course will be a bonus.

I do feel like I am SoL to an extent, but only because I regret not networking a bit better and getting to know my professors outside of lecture. All of the ones I have gotten to know more or less do some really neat things that they don't mention at all in class.

I'm at the opposite end at the moment. I'm taking an E&M course and my prof who is really into biophysics always tries to stick his pet projects into the course work. "Okay, so this is E&M. Now... what if we add in a heat bath?" Stuff like that... bleah...

But I know what you are saying. It sounds like they don't emphasize getting to know your professors enough at schools. They actually added a 1-credit course at my school that is an overview of what all of the physics profs are doing research on.
 

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