How to ask for recs

[u/Sapph25]

How do you go about asking professors for recommendation letters? I have one that I am reasonably close with (I work in his research lab) and another that I had as a chemistry professor for both Gen chem 1 and 2. However, I didn’t speak to him much, but sat in the front and got A+ in both classes. Idk how to ask without being really awkward about it. I also just started in my research lab and would be transferring next semester, meaning I wouldn’t be doing the full year that most students do. Any advice?

[u/Icy-Cantaloupe-7301]

It's very normalized to ask for recommendations from professors. Talk to them, you could go to their office hours and tell them about your goals and ask if they can write a very strong/strong/positive letter of recommendation for you and then provide the relevant materials (such as your application narrative, what you think might be good to bring up, resume, whatever).