When applying for grad school, how recent should the letters of recommendation be?

Question

I'm graduating this semester, but I plan on working for a year or two first before applying. Should I get the letters from my professors now? Or should I wait and ask for them later? Or by that time, should I just ask my employer? I'm afraid my employer then won't be closely tied to my grad school area of study.

Answer 1

First, some graduate programs like to see work experience (most MBA programs, for instance), and others could care less (many humanities PhD programs, for instance).

While the former types of programs want to see evidence of work ethic, innovative business practices, etc, the latter sorts of programs ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE testimony to your academic abilities. That's precisely the content we need in a letter.

If you will be applying to an MBA program or something of the sort, you will want letters from your employers.

If you will be applying to a grad program in a discipline that does not place importance on work experience, you should get letters exclusively from your former professors. But don't get them now.

Here's what to do:
Tell your professors now that you'll be asking for letters in a year or two. Tell them you'll be working for a couple of years before grad school. Later, when you apply, email those professors, with requests for letters of rec, and enclose a current resume. You will want to KEEP graded papers from their classes, so you can send those professors copies of those papers if they wish to see them in order to refresh their memories about your work.

That's how it's done. Best wishes to you!

Answer 2

Grad school recommendations aren't necessarily looking for someone to say if you'll be good at your degree. That's what your grades tell them. They want to know if you're dependable, trustworhty, hardworking, dedicated, do you show promise, are you a self-starter, team player....
If you work for 2 or 3 years and the last recommendation you have is from a professor from 3 years ago they may question what you've been doing with your life since then. If you are a good employee your employer should be happy to write you one.

If you graduated from undergrad and went for a job interview you wouldn't hand them high school transcripts you would give them your most recent college transcripts that detail your most recent success and your growth.

Answer 3

No, that is waay too many for a professor. perhaps ask him/her to write down one or 2-3 on the main. Professors are generally way too busy with different issues, and in the event that they tried to write down ten letters of advice it would probable get particularly repetitive. yet you in no way be attentive to until you are trying, i assume it relies upon on the professor! Ask them what their workload is like and base the variety of letters on their answer:) good success!

Answer 4

Ask now, so they have you fresh in mind when they write it. If you're not applying for a few years, either get sealed copies or ask them to save it for a while.