Where to Get Recommendation Letters From

[Xungs]

I graduated from my undergrad in 2011. I had no relationship whatsoever with my lecturers. Who can ask to write acceptable recommendation letters?

[dat_nerd]

What kind of experience have you had since graduating? You could get a letter from a work supervisor, research supervisor, etc. The key is to ask people who can describe qualities that make you a good researcher. For example, you could ask a work supervisor to write about your work ethic. 

[Queen of Kale]

Since you'll likely need three letters I would suggest that if you live near enough to your school to give it a shot, to schedule appointments to sit down with any professors with which you had multiple classes.  If you have graded coursework from those classes, bring it.  If not, try to remember what your major assignments were, what your grade was, and what you felt your strengths were.  Next, draft an outline of what you would put into your SOP.  Clearly bullet point out what you want to go to grad school to accomplish, what degree you'll seek, where you plan to apply, and how the strengths you had in school and since graduation prepare you for your goals.

 

E-mail the professors with whom you had multiple classes and just say something simple like;

 

"Greetings prof. x,

 

Iwas a student in your A class and B class in 20XX and 20XY.  I really enjoyed blahblah assignment, expecially when I learned about stuffstuff, and since graduating I've often thought back on what I learned in those classes.  In the time since graduation I have been working on stuff, but I am strongly considering pursuing a graduate degree in thing.  I would greatly appreciate any time you might be able to make to speak with me in person about my plans to attend graduate school in blah field as I value your advice in this area.  

 

I know this is a busy time of year but I would happily work around your schedule to meet at your conveniance.  Thank you so much, blahblahblah."

 

Something short and sweet.  Don't ask for a letter upfront, but just try to get in and talk with someone.  At the end of the meeting you should sense if it would be appropriate to ask for a letter or not.  Worst case if they meet with you, you'll get some advice, and best case is that not only will you get a letter but it will not be a "so-and-so got this grade in these classes" letter, but one which can convey the actual excitement you feel about your goals as well as whatever specifics you can convey over the course of the meeting.  

 

While I didn't take this approach for my grad school letter, it was the approach I took to get letter for my first internship applications after returning to school after a long time away.  When I needed those letters I had only been back to school for a short time (less than a semester) but the professors I met with have all been staunchly in the QueenofKale cheering squad since (although they had no idea who I was before).  Of course, some profs won't even e-mail back, but you'd be no worse off for trying.

[danisj]

what if you don't live near your university?

Edited June 21, 2013 by danisj

[zapster]

what if you don't live near your university?

 

seriously - you became a member to post this ?