Recommendations

[CityGal]

This afternoon I will be meeting with one of my old professors about a possible recommendation. Should I bring anything specific with me? I’m bringing a copy of my CV and the recommendation forms. Is there anything else I should do or bring? For those who are going through the process or who went through it, how many people did you get to recommend you and how many schools did you apply to? Since I didn’t get accepted into any of the three schools I applied to last year (the more I say it the more at peace with it I am), I was hoping that by applying to more schools (about ten) and to both competitive and not as competitive programs I have a better shot of getting in.

[weary]

if you have any of your old work from his/her class maybe bring something to jog memory? i know i've not been great about getting to know many of my professors in school, and if i needed to go back and ask for a reccomendation i would want to try remind them of who i am. i got some great comments on some of my papers/projects and would most likely use those.

also for your application strategy, i think you are doing the right thing with more schools (not that you asked, LOL). just like the thing with undergrad...something like "reach", "target" and "safety" i think. applying to 2 or 3 in each category seems to be common.

[allie1105]

You probably already met with the guy, but I just want to say "GOOD LUCK." I had a hard time getting my people to actually send the damn letter...they would commit and then never follow through. I will be crossing my fingers that you have an easier time than me.

[RaeRae]

I applied to 10 schools and got into 6. The thing about applying to grad schools is that it's really luck of the draw. Pretty much everyone who is applying is doing so because they have a high gpa, extracurriculars, and other kinds of good things that set them apart from those who don't choose to go to grad school. It's not like undergrad where pretty much everyone applies because "it's the next step/the thing to do." The more applications the better... then hopefully you'll have your choice among schools and you also increase your chances of getting funding :)

[CityGal]

Thanks everyone. I met with my professor and she had some work from the class I was in which was perfect. She's going to take a look over my SoP had give me some feedback as well--which I think is awesome. She provided me with a lot of insight about applying, the schools, and what I ultimately want to say that I am applying for. It was so exciting to meet with her....such a motivational meeting. I told her how horrible my GRE scores were and she confessed that she also did bad in the math section...that she had to take it again just to get average math scores. Anywho...thanks...meeting with her was awesome and I'm def. going to take her suggestions before I hand her my SoP.

[weary]

that's so wonderful CG! i am happy for you! i love hearing stories like that. when people (like college profs) are in a position to inspire/encourage/enlighten and go above and beyond it gives me the warm fuzzies. :huge: (i'm such a simple girl...find joy in such little things. LOL.)

i know i owe u an email but i can't get on webmail from here (work). i'll try tonight if the kid's not hogging the home computer.