Letters of recommendation for grad school?
824989
You do not need to push her.  Obviously, you have already contacted her, and she is aware of the deadline. \n\nI realize you are nervous about your application, but surely she has written letters before, and is aware of the necessity of getting the letter in on time.  Pushing at this point will only be annoying.\n\n(And honestly, late letters are usually not a problem anyway.  Graduate admissions committees usually cut professors some slack.)
172138
Well, do you think the person has potential for a career in education?  If so, why?  If not, you probably shouldn't be writing his/her rec.  That's a good place to start.  Many scholarships provide a coversheet for the letters of recommendation, which includes questions for the recommender.  If you have one of those, these questions can serve as a starting point.  If not, think about what makes the student unique.  How do you know him/her?  What makes you want to recommend him/her for the scholarship?  Why do you hope he/she gets it?\n\nStart with an introduction including how you know the student (teacher, friend, etc.), how long you've known them, etc.  From there, talk about what makes him unique in whatever capacity you best know him (student, friend, etc.).  If there's a specific incident that highlights some of the students outstanding qualities, recounting it can be helpful.  If possible, try to support your generalizations with examples and anecdotes.
14954
Contact your graduate school, or UMI (University Microfilms). UMI linked below.
131409
Often a good GRE score, research experience, or letters of recommendation will offset bad grades.\n\nNone of the schools I applied to had a MINIMUM grade point average. Some might have had the average undergraduate GPA or something, but half the students that make it have below average grades, so this is not a minimum.\n\nMaybe you wouldn't get into UCLA or something, but many smaller programs are desperate for students. Apply for schools in a wide range of rankings and see what you get.
326952
After you get your degree your undergrad GPA is set.\n\nIf you're looking to get into grad school, you can still improve your transcripts by taking university classes through an extension program or doing some kind of certificate program. Good grades in these classes will look good, but they won't change your undergrad GPA.\n\nGood luck.
1139425
Here are some basic steps, all of which are essential:\n\n1) Identify scholars in your field whose work (METHOD and/or AREA of specialization) you admire.   Google their names, and find out where they teach, and whether their university has a graduate program.  If not, FIND OUT WHERE they did their graduate study.  <---------  (This step is SO important.)\n\n2) Speak to your current professors, especially those in your field of study whose METHODOLOGIES and/or AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION you find congenial.  Ask them which grad programs they'd recommend for you.\n\n3) Research graduate schools.  Barron's publishes reference guides for every field, identifying every graduate program in that field.  It is COMPLETELY worth the investment to buy those guides, but if you simply cannot, the academic advising office at your university, or your university's library, should carry up-to-date versions of these guides.\n\n3) Using the advice of your professors, your knowledge of where the top scholars in your area studied, and the appropriate Barron's guide, narrow down your options to five or so schools.   Visit the websites of these schools, and find as much information as you can about their graduate programs in your area of study.  Get all the answers to your basic questions here.\n\n4) Contact the DIRECTORS OF GRADUATE STUDY (not the department chairs) at these schools.  Email inquiries are best, but telephone calls are  fine.  Apprise them of your interest, and after introducing yourself and familiarizing them with your particular area of interest, ask if you might correspond with them and/or speak to them about some other questions you have.  In your next email or telephone appointment, ask these questions:\n\nAre campus visits encouraged?  (Some programs can even help you defray the cost of your visit, but don't ask this question outright.  The graduate director will tell you if funds are available.)\nWhat are the particular resources this program has pertaining to your specific area of scholarly interest?\nDo most students complete the program?\nOf those that do, what do these students do afterwards?\nIs there strong mentoring of students by the faculty in the program?\nAre there language requirements?\nIs the thesis (or portfolio, depending on the program) requirement integrated into the program? How?\nAre most students who are accepted into the program supported? Does this support include full tuition remission? Is there a stipend? \nAre stipends only given to teaching or research assistants?\nIs there a separate method to apply for an assistantship?\nCan non-funded students serve as teaching or research assistants?\n\nIf you follow these steps to the letter, you should be able to narrow down your choices to those four or five grad schools, and you should have all the information you need to begin application.\n\nI promise that this is the best darn advice you could possibly receive.\n\nBest wishes!
694216
I strongly discourage you from using a letter from a high school teacher as a law school recommendation letter.\n\nLaw school admissions committees do NOT want to know what you did in high school, or what your high school teachers think of you.  They DO want to know how well you have taken advantage of university-level courses.   Your high school teachers, even those with whom you have a close relationship, have not been witness to your academic development over the past three or four years.  They are not able to testify to your abilities in the arenas of close reading, clear writing, and critical thinking, because they have not read (and graded) the papers you have written in your field of interest (major).  \n\nFinally, it is not necessary for you to have a "close relationship" with a college professor in order for you to get a great letter of recommendation.  Just choose professors who taught courses in which you got excellent grades, and in which you regularly participated in discussion.\n\nHere's a fantastic description of how to get the best possible letters from your college professors.  Points 5 and 6 will be of the most help to you.\n\nhttp://www.yale.edu/iefp/fellowships/other/asking_rec_letters.html
738000
I write recommendations all the time, and I usually know the students well enough to do it without the resume. Frankly, I can't imagine writing a rec letter when I NEEDED a resume to remind me what that student had done. \n\nThat being said, it is probably a good idea, especially if you have done significant things since you took their class.
1134060
First, it is unclear if you are asking about admission requirements, or requirements for successful completion of a Ph.D. program.  Second, requirements (in both cases) can vary from field to field.  Third, you have not indicated whether you already have a Master's degree.  However, I'll try to provide you with some basic information.\n\nIf you do not already have a Master's degree, you should apply to (and complete) Master's programs first, or combination Master's/PhD programs.  If you DO have a Master's degree, then of course, you will want to apply to PhD programs only. \n\nIn order to gain admission to a combination Master's/ Ph.D. program, you must:\n- have very good test scores (usually the GRE is the appropriate exam to take, but it depends on the field)\n- have excellent letters of recommendation from your undergraduate professors (most importantly, from those in the field in which you intend to study)\n- have an excellent undergraduate GPA (if there are blemishes on your record, they should be OUTSIDE of your intended field)\n- show, in your application statement, your preparation for graduate study in this field.  You should demonstrate familiarity with current research and especially, current theory in the field.  You should also be clear about your own specific research interests.  It is generally a good idea to submit an example of your recent work (a research paper, for example).\n\nA Master's degree usually takes 2 or 3 years (including coursework and thesis) to complete, again, depending on the field.\n\nA PhD usually requires two years of coursework, a year or so of completing language requirements (usually French, German, and any languages relevant to your specific area of specialization) and qualifying exams, and another year (or sometimes more) of researching, writing, and defending the dissertation.  Some fields also require (or encourage) internships, fieldwork or lab research, which can add another year to the time necessary to complete the degree.\n\nMost successful PhD candidates complete the degree in 5 to 7 years, although many take a few years more, especially if they are working full-time while researching and writing their dissertation.\n\nAs to online PhDs, they are utterly worthless in academia.  I also doubt (although I have no concrete proof) that they have much value in the business world, since it is common knowledge that a PhD requires close mentoring from professors and advisors, guided research, and oftentimes, fieldwork, internship,  and/or lab requirements.  None of this could be accomplished well online.   Most successful business executives do not have PhDs anyway; the terminal degree in business is usually the MBA.\n\nI hope this helps!
531267
Here's a guideline:\n\nWho am I (education, experience, awards, etc.)?\nWhy am I interested in this field of study?\nWhy am I particularly qualified for graduate study in this area?  How have I prepared for study in this field?\nWhy am I interested in this particular program?\nWhat is my potential specific area of interest?  Why?\nWhat are my interests or influences in terms of theory?\nWhat are my long-term goals?\n\nAnd for goodness sake, PROOFREAD for grammar and spelling errors!\nOh, and if there are any blemishes on your undergraduate transcript, or gaps in your preparation, explain them.\n\n(It's always a good practice to show familiarity with current literature in the field, especially if you are not submitting a current writing sample.)\n\nOne other piece of advice:  Tailor each statement of intent for each program.  Speak with your current professors before you apply, and ask about the strengths of various programs.  You should already know which scholars are of greatest interest to you as mentors, but it is always wise to ask current professors if they know these scholars.  (You may learn that Professor M, while brilliant, is a lousy mentor for grad students.)  \n\nHope this helps!
368962
You should only request letters of recommendation from those that know you well enough to give an accurate judgment on your work ability and your character. You should just approach them in person. This is more memorable and they will be able to discuss with you what you are applying for that needs the recommendation. \n\nHere's what I do and I get stellar recommendations everytime. I request a meeting time with them (never just show up randomly) and take a resume with me as well as a portfolio of any work I did with them or related to the position I am applying for. Then I bring in a copy of the job/position description and get started in casual conversation to make sure they remember who I am and the type of work I have done with them. Then I describe what I am applying for and politely ask, "Would you feel comfortable writing a recommendation for me?" That's it. People know that it takes recommendations and connections to get places in this world--they had to ask for LoR too. So don't feel nervous or timid about asking for a recommendation. Just remember to thank them and remind them of the deadlines. Best of luck to you!
962577
Most of the letters I wrote for students were about 3/4 of a page.  Some of those students got into top five law schools and the top ranked MBA program. \n\nThe letter that got me into my PhD program at Berkeley was only a half page long.
5646
I am assuming that you are applying for graduate school. I got all the info I needed from the source website.\nGood luck!
389339
Check out Petersen's Guide; also, US News & World Report just did their annual ranking of grad schools about a month or two ago.
488699
For a letter of recommendation to be successful, the recommender must know you well, and must convincingly provide evidence of your preparation and potential for higher education.\n\nPeople who do not know you well, and who have absolutely no evidence of your academic abilities cannot, under any circumstances, write an effective letter of recommendation.\n\nSo unless some current Harvard professors have had you in class (like in the extension school), they will be both unable and unwilling to write letters for you.
18822
need: Transcripts and recommendation letters from previous school, TOEFL, GRE/GMAT if applying for grad school. If you do not have money to pay for it, have to find whatever is necessary for Financial Aid - proof of no money (bank statement, parent's salary), and have good idea for  "statement of purpose" (wanna make the world a better place, in this specific&realistic way, which requires education)\n\nCan only work for your university, part-time (up to 20hrs/week), and likely in related fields. Maybe can do full-time summer internships and 1-year Optional Practical Training after graduation.
982078
You should definitely ask them in person.  See if you can get out of work for a day (or visit when college is in session but work is not).  I know this won't be easy, but the extra effort you extend will be well worth it.\n\nFirst, they'll think you actually really care about their recommendation (versus just trying to scrape together some recommendations) and secondly, it will give both of you a chance to catch up and presumably allow the professor a better opportunity to give better insight on your recommendation.\n\nWhile you probably already know this, provide stamped envelopes to them with the address of where the letters need to go.  If you're worried they might forget, send a thank-you note a week later or so (this is a nice gesture if they have already done it and will gently remind them if they haven't).