Choosing a recommendation letter writer.

[ashiepoo72]

For POIs I'm really interested in, I send an email that says a bit about my background/research, then ask if they are accepting students and, if so, whether they'd be willing to answer some specific questions I have for them. This has worked pretty well, as some respond that they aren't taking students or are retiring, but often these POIs suggest scholars in their department who they think are a good fit. Nearly everyone I've emailed has responded (some were standoffish, others seemed really interested--try not to be offended if some don't answer at all, they are busy people!)

I think the point is not to waste a prof's time with fangirling about their work and not having anything to ask them. Besides, in my experience I always remember someone who annoyed or angered me more than someone who was normal or nice--who wants a prof on the adcomm to remember them as the annoying email person?

In essence, I think everyone on this thread is right. Emailing POIs can be fruitful in so many different ways, but don't do it if the department website specifically says not to or you have nothing valuable to say.

Edited July 30, 2014 by ashiepoo72

[napoleon87]

If I was you, I would ask your thesis advisor if he would be willing to write you a rec based on the next few months of work, offer to show him some papers written in other courses, and hope he says yes. But I have to agree with pudewen that a year off or even an MA would do you a lot of good in the application process and, more generally, as an historian.

I remember when I finished up my BA at a large state school. I knew very few of the faculty well enough for them to write me a strong recommendation. I did not know the historiography of my area and period of focus well -- heck, I didn't even know what my focus would be. I ended up taking a year off and working while staying connected to history by reading A TON, then started an MA program. Now I have upwards of four professors willing to write me strong recs (they know me super well because, by nature, MA programs are smallish), my focus is...well...focused, and I have several solid, primary source based research papers that could be writing samples. Besides all that, I've done graduate-level work (which in this day and age of intense admissions competition goes a long way). I'm not saying you need to follow my path, but I know for sure I would not have been able to do a PhD out of my undergrad. It helped me a lot to get some perspective on my year off, and really become more sophisticated in my studies during my MA--and POIs I've spoken to agree.

Anywho, this is my 2 cents. I don't see anything wrong with you applying this time around, but maybe include some MA apps just in case. Nothing wrong with having contingency plans!

 

@ashiepoo72  I understand the focus of this thread has transformed, so feel free to PM me about my question!

 

I'm in a similar boat in regards to coming from a large state school with few strong relationships with suitable letter-writing professors (my best relationships were with lecturers and TA's in smaller classes).  I'm applying to MA programs now, as I need to sharpen my focus.  I'm also a bit stuck on if I should approach lecturers (mostly ABD or MA holding) who knew me very well from small honors sections, or if I should ask tenured professors from my larger classes and hope they can remember me.

 

From the pool of faculty you knew very little during your undergrad years, how did you approach and choose LOR writers for your MA applications?

[L13]

Just in case my permission as thread starter is necessary/desired, and the two of you don't mind conversing in public, I wouldn't mind it at all if you used this thread to discuss napoleon87's question and other similar queries! The more useful knowledge people share with each other here, the happier I will be