LOR for a second time applicant

[MissV21]

Hello everyone! I graduated in 2012 with my Undergrad in speech. I took some time off to figure my life out and have decided that I want to apply again. Since it's been almost 3 years that I've been out of the program, I feel uncomfortable asking one of my old professors for a letter of recommendation. When I applied the first time around I received great letters but I don't feel comfortable asking so many years later. Do u believe it will have a negative impact on my application if i don't have any letters from those in the speech field?

[kayyyyy_]

I would definitely check individual school requirements. I've been a SLPA for 3 years and this is my first time applying. I felt that my direct supervisor and people I worked with would have a stronger feel for me and be able to testify my ability rather than a professor I had 3 plus years ago. But on the contrary, some programs require 2 professors and 1

Professional. This definitely left me in a bind.

[jpiccolo]

Definitely check with the programs. Some really emphasize having faculty recommendations. Univ of Utah was one that told me they wanted all faculty to know how I was as a student and that's it. I had to reapply this year and I just asked two of the same profs from last year if they would write for me again. They were very willing and just updated their old letters with new information. It could be worthwhile also if you check with a couple of your old professors to see what they would recommend or what they expect in letters for students who have been out of school longer. Or even if they would feel confident in writing you a good letter if they can comment about things you've been doing and what your grades were back before graduating. 

[SLPosteriorCricoarytenoid]

In my experience applying, programs I applied to wanted at least 2 letter of recommendations to come from CSD faculty. Some programs don't have letter of rec specifications on their websites which is why it is important to contact them to find out. I was in a very awkward situation in the fall when I had to ask for letter of recommendations from CSD profs who had known me all but maybe 2 months at the time. Also, if yours wrote you great letters a few years ago like you say, I would think they would still remember you from then and have no problem doing it again. You can always do what I did and give them a binder of your resume, CV, grades, example of your writing, etc. so they can see what kind of a student you are/were. I did that for my two letter writers that didn't know me well and I think it helped them "get to know me" a great deal. The worst thing that could happen is they could say no.  

Edited April 15, 2015 by SLPosteriorCricoarytenoid

[rising_star]

If you're asking the same people, they probably still have a copy of your old letter, so I'm not sure why it would be weaker now than it was then.

[neucool]

I would get back in contact with them and ask if they'd update the letter with some new information (what you've done for the past three years, how you see it connected to the work you did as their student, etc). Most professors would be more than happy to do so, updating an old letter is way less work than writing a whole new one.

 

That said, like others have mentioned, schools differ. Some want at least one faculty recommendation. The faculty recommendation doesn't always have to be CSD though (I came from out of field and had two of my non-CSD professors write letters, as well as a past employer).

[kayyyyy_]

Agreed with Neucool. They want to know how you do in a classroom setting and how you are academically. 

[MissV21]

Thank you all so much for your help! I will most likely be asking again. Your comments and suggestions help me in gaining the confidence to ask, thanks again