Recommendations - Out of Luck Forum

[r973]

Some of us are not outstanding and do not get noticed in class by kissing the professor's ass. So how are we nobodys supposed to pick, choose, and approach professors if we need recommendations? I have not asked any professors yet, but I doubt in a class of 80-100 that any of them would be able to pick me out of a crowd. Anyone else in this position?

[jks289]

Have you even gone to office hours? Is there a TA who might be able to write more about you? Schedule an appointment asap, and print our papers you have written for their classes and grades for a reference. The recommendation will be slightly generic, but won't hurt you.

[Action Jackson]

Some of us are not outstanding and do not get noticed in class by kissing the professor's ass. So how are we nobodys supposed to pick, choose, and approach professors if we need recommendations? I have not asked any professors yet, but I doubt in a class of 80-100 that any of them would be able to pick me out of a crowd. Anyone else in this position?

Are you serious? You don't think your professors learned all your names by the end of the semester? You probably learned everyone's name by the end of the semester without even trying. 80-100 people isn't a whole lot of people to meet over the course of several months.

[mrvinyl007]

I'm in the same boat. I was able to at least find one teacher to write a recommendation for me, but that's it. I would take the advice that the above poster recommended. I'm sure there's at least one teacher that would know you. Anyways, good luck to you. I certainly know how this feels.

[pu_golf88]

Edit: Oops.

[2011Law]

I pretty much have the same problem and made a similar post. Don't mean to hijack your post, but would it be better to ask a full professor who definitely noticed you but you got a B (I have a few of these), or a TA with a JD who you took for Admin Law and got an A and was very much noticed? I've actually had another TA who told the class that it is useless to ask for a recommendation from someone without a PhD. Does anyone know how true this is, and if a JD will be good enough?

One other question: if I am applying for law school for fall 2011, then will I have time to ask for a recommendation this Nov/Dec from an upcoming professor?

To OP: if the answer to my "one other question" is yes, I recommend that this fall semester you take as small and advanced a class (or two) in your major that you can and sit up front, work your ass off, and ask and answer questions. If the answer is no, well then I am going to have a bit of a problem myself.

[Jordan77]

When I was transferring and needed 2 LORs I emailed 3 of my professors asking if they would be willing to write me a LOR. One professor probably had no idea who I was, but I received an A in his class... never heard back from him. 1 Professor I received a B+ from and talked a little with before class and in the hallways but never went to his office hours said he would be more than happy to write one for me. My second LOR came from a Professor whom I received an A in his class, but never was called on in his class throughout the whole year... he knew who I was, but I never went to office hours and he wrote me one.

I am sure my LORs were pretty generic, but they were better than nothing... especially for people like us who don't really bother going above and beyond in communicating with those Profs. Although my grades were higher than your run of the mill B, so I don't know if that makes a difference when there is no relationship.

Bottom line: I am sure some Professor will say no, and other who say yes. I also find the idea of a TA writing a LOR as kind of far fetched, but maybe people do it....

[Corsair]

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[Miniver]

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