Tips for Getting Reference Letters for Grad School in Engineering

[MECHster]

I just finished 1st semester of my third year in an engineering program in Ontario, Canada. I have excellent grades and would like some advice regarding reference letters for grad school (probably masters) in engineering.

I learned that most application deadlines, for U.S. schools, are in December. This means I would be asking Profs for letters before even finishing their course and getting a good mark. Does this mean I should be getting reference letters from my Profs from 2nd semester of 3rd year?

Also, how would I go about cultivating a relationship with a couple of Profs? Just going to office hours, pretending to have questions? I have an industry internship during the summer between 3rd and 4th year so I won't be able to do research and get a reference letter that way. I do have a 4th year project course which will be supervised by a Prof, but again I would need to ask for a reference letter before any evaluations take place.

Any advice or thoughts would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[R.Mesri]

The best way to cultivate a relationship with Professors is to attend their office hours and to engage in meaningful conversations. Ask thoughtful questions about the material, show your enthusiasm for learning, and demonstrate how you are applying what you are learning in the classroom to real-world situations. This will help them remember you and provide a more meaningful reference letter when the time comes. Also, when asking for a reference letter, make sure that you have a good understanding of the school you are applying to and what they are looking for in a student. Provide your Professor with this information, along with a copy of your resume and transcript, and explain why you are the ideal candidate. This will help them craft a letter that speaks to your strengths and experiences in the most effective way. Finally, it is important to give your professor sufficient time to write a meaningful letter. Make sure to ask at least one to two months before the application deadline. Good luck!