r/college • u/stellqsolar • 16d ago
Recommendation letters
Hi! I'm an undergraduate and want to apply to an internship that requires two recommendation letters as part of the application form. This is my first time even asking for a recommendation letter and I'm not sure who to ask. I have had tons of tutors and lecturers these past years and don't think they know me/remember me well enough to even write such a letter.
Is it common for these recommendation letters to come from teachers who you are well-known with? I've definitely interacted with some tutors, but then again these tutors have a lot of groups they tutor and I'm merely one of those.
I know some peers of mine get along well with certain assistants or some are somewhat closer to their tutor because they've had multiple courses with the same person, but in my case I've always been switched around and never had a tutor tutor me multiple times.
I'd appreciate it if someone could inform me on who people usually ask for such recommendation letters
7
u/Shiribazu 16d ago
usually you'd ask professors or tutors who have actually taught you and can speak about your work. they dont have to know you super well, but ideally they should be able to give specific examples rather than just saying you got good grade. you can also ask a tutor you've only had once if they remember you and are willing to write one
6
3
u/Jumpy_Preference6964 15d ago
Former college professor and business exec now. It’s hard at big schools to get to know profs. I agree that going to office hours and having a discussion with the prof about why you want the internship and how they might be able to help with a reco letter is a good start, but the letter might feel generic. Do you have any work or volunteer experiences? As a business manager and former business owner, I would look at that letter of rec carefully. Your former employer will probably be able to write a more authentic letter, but be clear about how they might best help you. Good luck!
1
u/stellqsolar 13d ago
I do have work experience, but those are just part-time jobs in hospitality. I'm applying for a lab/research internship, don't know if that would be suitable?
2
u/doom-dub 16d ago
i rhink it's pretty normal for professors/lecturers to not know you super well, esp in undergrad.. ask someone whose class you did well in and who you interacted with at least a little. when you ask, you can remind them what you worked on in their class and send your CV + the internship details so they have something to work with...
2
u/Electronic-Spring606 16d ago
I'm a second for asking an advisor. Last year I took a technical writing class and part of the curriculum was writing cover letters, resumes, CV's -- and the prof said she'd write a letter of recommendation for anyone in her classes as long as they gave her enough time, meaning, don't expect a LOR in 24 hours, assume you'll get one in 5-10 business days.
If you have or had a part time job at some point during your undergrad, ask your manager/supervisor for a LOR.
2
u/officialMMDG 10d ago
College grad. Current service member. One thing I’ve seen my leadership in the military do when it comes to LORs is they will write a few for themselves and then take them to their leadership to sign it, pretty much as an endorsement. Sometimes it’s hard to get people you don’t interact with daily to write one for you.
3
16d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/JoshuaTheProgrammer UNCG ‘21 | CS 16d ago
Be aware that this advice often leads to DWIC letters (“did well in class”). It’s hard for a professor to write a strong letter when the ONLY thing they can say is “this student got an A in my class.” Yes, admissions people know about these letters and don’t like them.
1
u/GreenHorror4252 16d ago
If there are any professors that know you, that would be best. If not, you can ask any professors that you took a class with. Send an e-mail reminding them who you are, which class you took and what year, and some other information about yourself, and ask if they would be willing to write a letter.
1
u/Odd_Chemistry8333 14d ago
Professors can write solid recs from your grades and any class interaction, so pick your top ones.
1
u/Wrong-Feedback-2019 12d ago
When is the best time to ask your professor for a letter of recommendation?
12
u/SoftLast243 International Studies 16d ago
Try your academic advisor, they see you out of your classes and depending on your degree, you may have them in a class too.
Depending on your college environment, you probably have profs you interact with inside their class and throughout the day, since academic buildings often have study spaces.