How do you get letters of recommendation if you aren't going directly into grad school?

Question

I graduated from undergrad aug '05, and I don't plan on attending graduate school for at least another year, maybe longer. My question is, how do I get three letters of recommendation (which is what most schools ask for) when I will no longer have contact with any of my old professors? I am taking a break from school to try my hand at starting a writing career, therefore when I do go back to school, I won't have any real professional contacts who could write recommendations either. What do I do?

Answer 1

Get your profs to write the letters now, and have them keep them on file. It's standard operating procedure.

Answer 2

i think of your suitable thoughts are to attempt between here: See if any of your previous professors are nonetheless around. countless them actually DO undergo in strategies pupils and could be satisfied to assist. in case you had a time-honored instructor or consultant in school, get in touch back and save up a correspondence periodically. I had a professor/consultant that i could digital mail on occasion and he or she replaced into consistently satisfied to furnish a reference or steer me to a activity beginning if i mandatory one. touch the pinnacle of the dep. of the college you decide directly to attend, or whoever is in cost of admissions and ask if expert references are ok given which you have been out of school for see you later. And if taking a class is your final hotel, be advantageous to take a class which you're literally attracted to. while you at the instant are not enthusiastic and don't get good grades, you will no longer get a solid reference

Answer 3

Do NOT ask for letters now. Graduate admissions committees do not want to see old letters. And besides, most letters are submitted directly by professors to the admissions committees (often electronically), so it is not like you could request letters now, and send them yourself later.

What you do now is this:

Let your current professors know that you'll probably be asking for letters of rec in a year or two.

Keep your undergraduate papers (graded), and make a note of the grades you got in each class, as well as the course names and numbers.

When it is time to apply for graduate school, contact those professors, remind them who you are and which classes you had with them, and inquire about letters of recommendation. Tell them you will supply them with copies of graded research papers from their classes, as well as a current resume.

This is done all the time, so don't worry that your professors will have forgotten you. I've written letters from students from as long as six years ago. They were great students, so they got great letters.

It doesn't hurt to keep in contact with your professors, either. Not to suck up, but to apprise them of what you are up to, and what you plan to do. I keep in email contact with many past students, and many of them will surely ask for letters of rec in the future. I'll be delighted to assist.

Answer 4

you can have former employers write recommendations and people (outside of relatives) that have known you for years can also give you references.

Answer 5

go to grad school