Asking for a letter in person....

[pterosaur]

I have heard that it it best to ask for a letter of recommendation in person rather than via email, but socially awkward me isn't entirely sure how to do that in at least one instance.

 

There's a professor who I worked with previously quite extensively, but I don't have a class with him now, he's quite busy, and he was just recently made chair of the math department.  Do I just show up at his office sometime and hope that he's available to talk?  Do I send a really awkward email along the lines of "I want to ask you to write a letter of recommendation but can I meet you in person to actually ask?"

 

I'm probably overthinking this, but I would like to know what the proper way to go about this is.

[Guest |||]

If you would like to do it in person, see if he maybe has an office hour and pop by.  If he doesnt have any students or other individuals around, you could try and talk to him then.

 

 

I personally though wouldn't be terribly opposed to an email.  While this may be a unique experience on your end, it most certainly is not on his end.  Even more so, since you have worked extensively with this person, you have some set level of formality and acquaintanceship as is.

 

In terms of what to say, "Hello, xxx, hope all is well.  I'm applying for xxx and was wondering if you might be able to write a letter of reference for me?  If you are free anytime soon I'd love to talk to you in person on the topic for greater detail".