9 answers
Samantha
Student
Columbia, Missouri
4
Questions
Updated
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Who can I get a letter of recommendation from if I completed my bachelors degree online?
I need a few letters of recommendation for graduate school, but I'm not sure who to ask because I haven't interacted with my college professors much at all.
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9 answers
Josh Thias
IT
6
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Josh’s Answer
Absolutely, this is an excellent question!
Don't let the online nature of your degree affect your perception of its value. It's just as meaningful as a degree earned in a traditional classroom setting. When you attend a physical university or college, the professor usually won't know your name unless you make an effort to introduce yourself and establish a relationship.
This holds true for online classes as well. You need to take the initiative to connect with your professor to be recognized. It's advisable to form strong relationships with at least 2-3 professors, particularly those teaching courses that align with your career aspirations. Participating in virtual (or physical) office hours can be a fantastic way to build a more personal relationship with your instructors.
Moreover, it's beneficial to get acquainted with the teaching assistants, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They have likely excelled in the course they're assisting with and can provide valuable guidance as they've been in your position before. They can support you throughout your academic journey.
If you manage to secure internships or work experiences, don't forget to request a letter of recommendation from these contacts. These letters can complement the ones from your professors and educational mentors. Having a diverse set of recommendation letters can provide a comprehensive picture of your abilities to the graduate schools you're applying to, potentially opening up more opportunities for you.
Don't let the online nature of your degree affect your perception of its value. It's just as meaningful as a degree earned in a traditional classroom setting. When you attend a physical university or college, the professor usually won't know your name unless you make an effort to introduce yourself and establish a relationship.
This holds true for online classes as well. You need to take the initiative to connect with your professor to be recognized. It's advisable to form strong relationships with at least 2-3 professors, particularly those teaching courses that align with your career aspirations. Participating in virtual (or physical) office hours can be a fantastic way to build a more personal relationship with your instructors.
Moreover, it's beneficial to get acquainted with the teaching assistants, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They have likely excelled in the course they're assisting with and can provide valuable guidance as they've been in your position before. They can support you throughout your academic journey.
If you manage to secure internships or work experiences, don't forget to request a letter of recommendation from these contacts. These letters can complement the ones from your professors and educational mentors. Having a diverse set of recommendation letters can provide a comprehensive picture of your abilities to the graduate schools you're applying to, potentially opening up more opportunities for you.
Melanie Silverman
Chief Clinical Officer
16
Answers
Laguna Beach, California
Updated
Melanie’s Answer
Dear Samantha,
This is SUCH a great and relevant question. So many people are in your exact position! When we take online classes, we don't know the professors like we do in a live classroom. I get it! So I think you should send these college professors a really honest email. Tell them exactly what you told me here. Tell that person that would you be very grateful for their time. Ask them if they would be willing to set up a time on Zoom or live in person to get to know you and possibly write a recommendation for you. You have to come very prepared if a professor accepts. First, make sure to thank them. Second, make sure you tell them 2-3 aspects of their class that you really enjoyed and how it could potentially help you in the future. Third, ask them what they need to know about you to construct a thoughtful recommendation. Fourth, give them your resume. This will give them important information about you to construct a solid recommendation. Fifth, make sure to have all of the information that they will need to send the recommendation. Is there a form? Website portal? Know all of that information before you meet with the professor.
When you get into graduate school (which you will!) try to get to know your teachers. Even if you don't have any real questions, it's good to attend office hours (online or in person) and interact as much as you can. You may need their recommendations in the future or they may have connections to help you find the right job.
I really hope this helps Samantha!
Melanie
This is SUCH a great and relevant question. So many people are in your exact position! When we take online classes, we don't know the professors like we do in a live classroom. I get it! So I think you should send these college professors a really honest email. Tell them exactly what you told me here. Tell that person that would you be very grateful for their time. Ask them if they would be willing to set up a time on Zoom or live in person to get to know you and possibly write a recommendation for you. You have to come very prepared if a professor accepts. First, make sure to thank them. Second, make sure you tell them 2-3 aspects of their class that you really enjoyed and how it could potentially help you in the future. Third, ask them what they need to know about you to construct a thoughtful recommendation. Fourth, give them your resume. This will give them important information about you to construct a solid recommendation. Fifth, make sure to have all of the information that they will need to send the recommendation. Is there a form? Website portal? Know all of that information before you meet with the professor.
When you get into graduate school (which you will!) try to get to know your teachers. Even if you don't have any real questions, it's good to attend office hours (online or in person) and interact as much as you can. You may need their recommendations in the future or they may have connections to help you find the right job.
I really hope this helps Samantha!
Melanie
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Samantha
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
500
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Great question. I’d circle back to the professors you had. Add them on LinkedIn and ask for assistance. This will help build your network and hopefully get you the reference you are looking for. You can ask your advisor for help contacting people if needed and I am sure they will help.
Yaz M
Recruit
50
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Yaz’s Answer
Honestly, you should ask those same professors or any mentors you might have had. They will understand your position and I am sure they would be more than happy to assist you. If you had a part time job, you could even ask you boss/lead to write you on. You can also get a character recommendation letter. The character recommendation letters are often written by former employers, landlords, business associates, neighbors, doctors, acquaintances, etc.
Christina Ridgely Aschenberg
Lending Call Center Manager
17
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Think back to your undergrad. What are the classes you enjoyed the most? Which classes did you excel the most in? Chances are you did participate more in these with the class and your professor a little more and they will remember you. A lot of us think of interactions being more in person, but online degrees that participation is done all online. Your idea of how much you participated may be different than others. For example, I am a remote leader and I know that those that engage more in our chat and team discussions in email as well do better in their job. The professors will most likely see this. Give yourself some credit and ask. It never hurts to ask! Don't take yourself out of the running for that letter yourself, at least give them the opportunity. They can't say yes if you don't ask! And if they say no, that's ok - go on to the next :)
Marcus Williamson
area sales manager
10
Answers
Smyrna, Georgia
Updated
Marcus’s Answer
I would reach out to the professors who taught your class via email or ask someone in your community such as pastor, coach, or friend. Wish you the very best !
Christina Ridgely Aschenberg
Lending Call Center Manager
17
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Think back to your undergrad. What are the classes you enjoyed the most? Which classes did you excel the most in? Chances are you did participate more in these with the class and your professor a little more and they will remember you. A lot of us think of interactions being more in person, but online degrees that participation is done all online. Your idea of how much you participated may be different than others. For example, I am a remote leader and I know that those that engage more in our chat and team discussions in email as well do better in their job. The professors will most likely see this. Give yourself some credit and ask. It never hurts to ask! Don't take yourself out of the running for that letter yourself, at least give them the opportunity. They can't say yes if you don't ask! And if they say no, that's ok - go on to the next :) One more thing- do the letters of recommendations have to be from your professor? Or can you get that from someone you work with or have worked with that shows your work ethic and might make you shine a little brighter?
Karin P.
Lecturer
378
Answers
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
You are correct, online classes seem to offer fewer opportunities to make connections and leave an impression, but we have all been in that situation over the last few years. Your professors have likely taught online for 2 or 3 years during COVID. Or maybe they only teach online anyway. They are not going to cheapen the degree by giving you a bad reference.
For the future, always make sure you cultivate some professional relationships where people will remember you. Ask questions. Participate in seminars. Do internships. Talk to your professors about career plans etc.
Let's talk a bit about references in general:
It's always a bit embarrassing to have to ask for references, but everybody needs them (even those of us who are older than dirt) and those of us who teach or are supervisors for interns need to write them.
Nobody should give you a bad reference. If somehow they don't feel like they can write a good reference for you (or don't have the time), they should rather tell you up front so you can secure a good reference from someone else.
At this stage in your academic journey your reference letters should be from academics who have taught you, or possibly supervisors if you did an internship. Please, no friends, parents, 3rd cousins, Kindergarden teachers etc. They should be professional references in your chosen field.
On the question who to ask for letters: Which courses did you excel in? Which courses did you enjoy most? Did you have conversations with any of your profs? Your professors are most likely to remember you from those classes. That makes them good references. It makes no sense to ask the professor of the class you failed for a reference.
A reference letter is more valuable if the writer knows you well. So, if you did any projects, presentations or papers during your studies, that prof is a better letter writer than your first-year prof who had 800 students and can only look up your grades. If your studies included any labs or field work, that professor is more likely to remember you.
If you are applying for jobs in different specialties, try to have a reference writer in that field. People know each other and respect people in the same field. So, if you are a chemist and apply for an analytical position, solicit a letter from the analytical expert at your school. If you are applying for a position in organic chemistry, try to get a letter from the organic chemistry prof.
You should send your CV to any professor who agreed to write a letter for you and keep them informed what you applying for. There might be accomplishments they don't know about (but can highlight). A good letter is also tailored to the position you are applying for. A letter for grad school should look different than a letter for a job. The more your prof knows about you, the more likely they are to write a good letter highlighting your qualities.
If you won any prizes, got prestigous scholarships or have some leadership positions, that should be part of a reference letter. You'll need to point it out to the letter writer because they might not know.
Sometimes rank can be important too. A letter from a full prof might "beat" a letter from an assistant prof, but only if the full prof knows you well. If you can get a letter from the department head that will help - again, only if they actually know you well enough.
Good luck!
KP
You are correct, online classes seem to offer fewer opportunities to make connections and leave an impression, but we have all been in that situation over the last few years. Your professors have likely taught online for 2 or 3 years during COVID. Or maybe they only teach online anyway. They are not going to cheapen the degree by giving you a bad reference.
For the future, always make sure you cultivate some professional relationships where people will remember you. Ask questions. Participate in seminars. Do internships. Talk to your professors about career plans etc.
Let's talk a bit about references in general:
It's always a bit embarrassing to have to ask for references, but everybody needs them (even those of us who are older than dirt) and those of us who teach or are supervisors for interns need to write them.
Nobody should give you a bad reference. If somehow they don't feel like they can write a good reference for you (or don't have the time), they should rather tell you up front so you can secure a good reference from someone else.
At this stage in your academic journey your reference letters should be from academics who have taught you, or possibly supervisors if you did an internship. Please, no friends, parents, 3rd cousins, Kindergarden teachers etc. They should be professional references in your chosen field.
On the question who to ask for letters: Which courses did you excel in? Which courses did you enjoy most? Did you have conversations with any of your profs? Your professors are most likely to remember you from those classes. That makes them good references. It makes no sense to ask the professor of the class you failed for a reference.
A reference letter is more valuable if the writer knows you well. So, if you did any projects, presentations or papers during your studies, that prof is a better letter writer than your first-year prof who had 800 students and can only look up your grades. If your studies included any labs or field work, that professor is more likely to remember you.
If you are applying for jobs in different specialties, try to have a reference writer in that field. People know each other and respect people in the same field. So, if you are a chemist and apply for an analytical position, solicit a letter from the analytical expert at your school. If you are applying for a position in organic chemistry, try to get a letter from the organic chemistry prof.
You should send your CV to any professor who agreed to write a letter for you and keep them informed what you applying for. There might be accomplishments they don't know about (but can highlight). A good letter is also tailored to the position you are applying for. A letter for grad school should look different than a letter for a job. The more your prof knows about you, the more likely they are to write a good letter highlighting your qualities.
If you won any prizes, got prestigous scholarships or have some leadership positions, that should be part of a reference letter. You'll need to point it out to the letter writer because they might not know.
Sometimes rank can be important too. A letter from a full prof might "beat" a letter from an assistant prof, but only if the full prof knows you well. If you can get a letter from the department head that will help - again, only if they actually know you well enough.
Good luck!
KP
Aisha Taylor
Mortgage Closing Specialist
364
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
Anyone who has had the opportunity to assess your skills and performance, be it in an academic or professional setting, is qualified to write you a recommendation letter. The crucial factor is whether you've left a positive and lasting impression on the individual you're requesting the letter from. It would be beneficial to share details about the opportunity you're pursuing (such as a job or academic program) and provide some personal background information (like your resume or academic records).
Even if your degree was obtained online, it's likely you've established relationships with your instructors or professors. You can reach out to them via email to request recommendation letters.
Wishing you all the best!
Anyone who has had the opportunity to assess your skills and performance, be it in an academic or professional setting, is qualified to write you a recommendation letter. The crucial factor is whether you've left a positive and lasting impression on the individual you're requesting the letter from. It would be beneficial to share details about the opportunity you're pursuing (such as a job or academic program) and provide some personal background information (like your resume or academic records).
Even if your degree was obtained online, it's likely you've established relationships with your instructors or professors. You can reach out to them via email to request recommendation letters.
Wishing you all the best!