one true answer<\/a> for this, but I suppose letting your prof know of your grad school intention while you’re in their class isn’t a bad idea — especially if they seem to take a liking to you. It’d help, for example, in letting them know how to comment on your papers and tell you what to improve on.<\/p>\nNow I suppose it would be best to ask the professor not too long after their class. So for example, if you’re going into third year right now and want a letter from your F-term prof to use in the next year, maybe ask him after your course is over just so he\/she still remembers you and your work, but let him know that he\/she can take his time.<\/p>\n
But the LATEST to ask would be probably September 2014. Profs are used to writing reference letters — most have a template, actually! — but it’s always nice to give them ample time and let them know about your research intentions\/take a look at your CV\/yada yada yada. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n
Bottom line though, the best time to ask would be when they’re familiar with you.<\/p>\n
Also, GO IN PERSON! No one wants to give a letter to an email.<\/p>\n
Good luck!<\/p>\n
aska<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi Aska, I’m wondering when is the best time to ask for reference letters, and the best way to approach my professors. My programs were psychology and criminology, but I want to apply for a sociology degree. I want to apply for fall 2014, and the deadline is January 1 or around then. However, I’m about to graduate so I’m wondering when I should ask for the reference letters! thanks, Teneisha ????????? Hey Teneisha, That’s a great question. Honestly, there’s no one true answer for this, but I suppose letting your prof know of your grad school intention while you’re in their class isn’t a bad idea — especially if they seem to take a liking to you. It’d help, for example, in letting them know how to comment on your papers and tell you what to improve on. Now I suppose it would be best to ask the professor not too long after their class. So for example, if you’re going into third year right now and want a letter from your F-term prof to use in the next year, maybe ask him after your course is over just so he\/she still remembers you and your work, but let him know that he\/she can take his time. But the LATEST to ask would be probably September 2014. Profs are used to writing reference letters — most have a template, actually! — but it’s always nice to give them ample time and let them know about your research intentions\/take a look at your CV\/yada yada yada. \ud83d\ude42 Bottom line though, the best time to ask would be when they’re familiar with you. Also, GO IN PERSON! No one wants to give a letter to an email. Good luck! aska<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4900","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-grad-school"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t