taking (at least) a year off - should I ask for LoRs now?

[coyote]

I'm a senior, graduating in June. I was recently offered (and plan on accepting) a one year contract as a community organizer. After the year is up, I'd like to either go to grad school or serve in the Peace Corps. I'd prefer doing the Peace Corps first, and then grad school, but, regardless, it will be at least a year between graduating and applying.

That being the case, should I ask for professors to write letters of recommendation now and put them on file? My father's a lecturer at a different university and says he does this for students fairly often. Is my dad just a super nice guy, or is this actually a common and accepted practice?

If I do end up asking professors this year to write a letter, what would be a good way of phrasing the ask? Would something like the below work?

Dear Professor So and So, This is x, I had you for y class. I'm graduating this year and plan on spending at least a year working before applying to grad school. However, since I do plan on applying for grad school within the next couple years, could I ask you to write a letter of recommendation and place it on file?, etc.

Thanks so much for any advice!

[thenerdypengwin]

Yes. Ask now while you still have a fresh impression. Let them know that you will not be applying for a while. Some professors would rather write it when you need it, so respect whichever option they would prefer. Keep in touch during your time before grad school with an update on your activities and progress. Make it short and sweet.

Edited November 27, 2012 by thenerdypengwin

[ridofme]

Go for it! This is something I wish I had done. You have no idea how awkward I felt sending cold emails to professors years later.

I think since you are presumably on campus, talking to them in person would be best. It will feel more relaxed, less stilted. You don't need the email format to be able to articulate your grad school plans, you're just trying to assess their willingness to write something now to use for some hypothetical future. And who knows - your plans might totally change once you're out of school, or especially after doing the peace corps. This could just be me, but I think I changed more from 22 to 25 than I did from 18 to 22. Being out of school radically alters one's perspective in ways you might never imagine.

Good luck! And cheers to you for thinking ahead.

[moody]

This is not really normal practice for application to graduate school. Professors typically need to submit the letters themselves, and you should waive the right to see them. There is nothing wrong with contacting a prof next year when you are organizing your grad school applications - it won't really be the long at all, seeing as the application deadlines are typically November - January.

[TakeruK]

This is not really normal practice for application to graduate school. Professors typically need to submit the letters themselves, and you should waive the right to see them. There is nothing wrong with contacting a prof next year when you are organizing your grad school applications - it won't really be the long at all, seeing as the application deadlines are typically November - January.

I agree that if the OP wants the profs to write the LORs and give it to the OP to keep on file, then that's is very abnormal! But I think the OP is suggesting that they ask the profs to write the letters now but keep the letters on file (just keep it for themselves).

If it's only 1 year gap, then it is unlikely they will really forget you. But it's definitely good to let them know now that you plan to apply to grad school in 1 or more years. In addition, you can say something like "I'm letting you know in case you would prefer to write the letter now and submit it when I'm ready to apply" instead of telling them how to do it. Like the others said, give them the option but respect their choice.