Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc)
Pratt Institute
University of Southern California (USC)
Tulane University
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Temple University
University of Oregon
Cranbrook Academy of Art
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
Kansas State University
Relation building with professors for LOR
I have to say that I am neither passionate nor totally uninterested in my current field of studies which is engineering, to be specific. So for me, it's just doing some problem sets, go home and sleep and hopefully earn respectful grades on exams. I rarely engage in questions and discussions with my profs even though I do sit in the front row for all my classes, So they probably recognize me by face at least.
My mind is pretty much set on a M.Arch I degree. However, I haven't developed any intellectual relationships with all my profs and I am thinking about applying for Fall 2011 year. Does anyone have any advice on getting some strong LORs from profs? This is particularly difficult for a non-arch applicant. Should I force myself to ask some intelligent questions after lectures?
1. Your references don't need to come from architecture professors.
2. Yes, start asking questions (intelligent or otherwise) in class.
3. Visit them during office hours to talk about... whatever you think fits. Your interest in architecture, perhaps, or a vexing engineering concept you've been struggling with.
The idea is to give them something,
1. Your references don't need to come from architecture professors.
2. Yes, start asking questions (intelligent or otherwise) in class.
3. Visit them during office hours to talk about... whatever you think fits. Your interest in architecture, perhaps, or a vexing engineering concept you've been struggling with. Or ask them for their wisdom or experiences on the change you're contemplating.
The idea is to give them something, anything, to remember you for when they write a letter of recommendation. I get such requests from students frequently, and the best ones to write for are for are those with whom I've had the most interaction. The deadly requests are from students who perhaps did fine (tests, papers) but never uttered a word in class or came by to talk. What's a recommender supposed to write? "S/he did A- work in my class." That's a pretty short LOR.
Talk to them.
I think the best thing for getting good LOR is to actual go the extra mile and get to know your professors on a more personal level (not that kind of personal level though!!! :) Ask them for their advice... discuss your dreams/plans with them. I am an aspiring professor myself and the reason I want to be a professor is to of course teach others, but more than that to show students what their true potential is and what their strengths are... and i am sure that your profs would love to help shape the path of your future if you will let them see who you really are... unless of course they are complete wastes of space!!! hahaha
I am also in kind of the same boat... finished my MArch a couple years ago and now wanting to pursue my phd but thanks to the credit crunch haven't really done anything to exceptional since graduatiion... It is all about forming relationships though!!!
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