So I’m applying to school. I take the GRE in a couple of months, I’ll start the application process for the Theology/Religious Studies programs to 5 schools, and then we’ll see. I want to start September 2010. My question for all of you out there is…how do you recommend going about getting letters of recommendation when you haven’t been to school in awhile? I went to the University of Scranton from 2001-2004, then BYU until 2006. I think I’ll end up making appointments to see people in Scranton, since it’s driving distance away. But these need to be awesome recommendations. Really, really awesome ones. Anyone with any tips?
Tags: School
Hi Erin, What about asking the guy that was in charge when you went on your mission, that will also serve to fill in the gaps for the time you did that. I do not know about recommindations, but on resume’s you are supposed to avoid gaps in time. Also it is a Theology/Religious school, so this would also show that you are a life student, not just a student. Good Luck, Love ya lots
[...] where I’ve historically excelled and where I can find advancement. At this point, though, I expect that this will last until Erin and I decide where we are going next for Erin’s gradua…. She has some pretty exciting and interesting options of where she wants to go and the different [...]
Some of my suggestions:
1. Get in email/phone contact with the professor (or professors) that you felt the closest with and tell them your plans. If you are on the phone you don’t have to get into a lot of details up front, they’ll be able to guess why you’re calling.
2. Once you get to that part, give them the due date for the letters, perhaps its because I live in the Land of Mañana; give them a due date that’s two weeks earlier than you actually want it.
3. Offer them help, give them reasons why you want this school/program so they have something to run with in their letter for you. You might also want to resend some of the best things you have written so that they have something of yours to refer to. This will help them jog their memory about your in their classes.
4. Ask if they would like a little reminder email…just in case. (Again, I’ve sort of forgotten that people respond to due dates because I’ve been in the Land of Mañana but some people appreciate that)
I really don’t think you need to get in the car and drive all that way to talk to them unless they ask…I doubt they will. Professors get this kind of request all the time (another reason you might ask if they’d like a reminder.)
I hope everything goes smoothly! Let me know. Hello and kisses to the little Bubbs!