Letters of Recommendation after college?

[Cass]

Hello!

Ok, so this is where I am right now. I've just graduated as an undergrad with a 2.97 gpa (not good, I'm aware) which I could have improved by staying longer but, for reasons that are not important right now, I chose to graduate. I now have a BS in Natural Resource Studies and a minor in entomology. My plan is to go to graduate school for entomology. I've been looking at some schools and narrowing down my choices. One of my favorites offers to allow applicants in on a restricted basis, meaning even if I'm not exactly what they're looking for I have a chance to prove myself when I get there. But I still need to get there.

I got very good grades in all of my entomology classes, including some graduate level classes, which I'm hoping will help since I am applying to entomology programs. I have also worked in entomology labs. Since graduating I've been working on preparing myself by taking some extra classes that I know will be helpful at a community college near my house. I've been reading papers written by professors I think I may want to work with in the future. I am also volunteering in a lab working with insects in hopes of gaining more experience and possibly another recommendation.

This brings me to my main question. I have been out of school since May 2010 and have had little to no contact with any of my old professors or my advisor. I know I need recommendations, but I also don't know if I'm applying to graduate school this year or next year and I only know for certain of one school I am definitely going to apply to. Is it wise to ask an old professor for a general letter of recommendation, instead of letters to specific schools? Also, I don't live in the area where I went to school anymore, and I've been told it's unprofessional to request recommendations through email, but that is the only way I can contact these professors. Does anyone have any advice on how to request a letter of recommendation through email? What should I ask? What information should I be giving them? Any general advice is also welcome.

Thank you.

[newms]

It's perfectly ok to send a request for a recommendation letter by email. What you can do is to send a short email (maybe a paragraph or two) reminding the prof of who you are (attach a picture if needed) and briefly describing your reasons for wanting to go to grad school and asking if they would support your application with a letter. If they agree you could send them more detailed information, such as a draft of your statement, a copy of your transcript and the draft list schools you are applying to. If you have a good relationship with them (which is ideal to get a good letter), you can ask them for their feedback on your draft statement as well as their thoughts on the schools you are applying to. Throughout the process of getting the recommendation letters, you are going to have to repeatedly remind them, perhaps by updating them monthly on the status of your applications along the way, such as when you get your GRE scores. Good luck!

[wtncffts]

I agree with newms. It's not 'unprofessional at all' to request by e-mail. If you were still in the area, of course it would be better to talk to them in person, but there's really no other way if you're not. I was all the way across the country when I started applying; nobody expects anyone to pay for a flight and accommodations, etc., just to ask for a recommendation. In terms of general vs. specific, most recommenders will write a generic letter anyway, especially if you're applying to many schools.