debubachtoven

I agree that taking more classes is not necessarily helpful. This can definitely be costly without a lot of return for the investment. For recommendations, I recommend examining carefully which of your two programs you prefer the most before you begin shopping around for letters. It definitely helps to have a letter from a prof that is in the field, the dean, or the general registrar (if you can get any). A letter from a prof from your field testifies to your ability in the field and one from the latter two would testify to your general scholastic abilities. I always remember that everybody asks for help at one point or another, including those you are asking and those who will be reading your apps. I'd suggest approaching a prof you respect and being straightfoward with a bit of humility. It's always good to pick a prof you were close to, but most profs whose classes you did well in, that you liked, and you weren't an a**hole in will want to help you. As a grad student who has done a lot of student teaching, I always want to help students who do well in my classes and are excited about the fields I'm excited about. And, if they say yes, make sure you remind them periodically. It's not hard for someone to forget accidentally your rec, especially if you attended a large university. With most schools, a lot of award money is based on merit, not need. Even if you are a Canadian student in a US school, you can still receive strong aid if you promote yourself well to your interviewers/auditioners. Best of luck!