Comparative literature - who to ask for rec letters?

[albalu]

Applying to comparative literature PhD programs this fall. Any advice for who to ask for letters of recommendation if I wasn't too close with many of my professors during undergrad? would it help to enroll in a language class (unaffiliated with a university) and ask an instructor for a letter? Not sure what to do; would be so grateful for some tips. Thanks!

[Hugh_]

The best option is to pick profs from classes where you got good grades. Make sure they are assistant profs or associate profs and not instructors. If you don`t know them super well, use September and October to reconnect with them. You can go to their office hours and share your plans of pursuing a PhD and ask them for their opinion. Profs like to pontificate and your plans to apply to PhD program is great common ground. No letters from language instructors, they don`t carry much weight.

[albalu]

On 6/23/2022 at 6:52 AM, Hugh_ said:

The best option is to pick profs from classes where you got good grades. Make sure they are assistant profs or associate profs and not instructors. If you don`t know them super well, use September and October to reconnect with them. You can go to their office hours and share your plans of pursuing a PhD and ask them for their opinion. Profs like to pontificate and your plans to apply to PhD program is great common ground. No letters from language instructors, they don`t carry much weight.

Thank you!