Reply #18: I think asking for the letters well ahead of time is a good idea [View All]

[JVS]

The first time I asked for a letter was after my topology professor had collected the final exams from the class and was wishing us a happy winter break. It was a year before I would apply, but I had already had a course with this professor and I had performed well in both courses. He said he'd be happy to write it and that when I should drop by when I'm ready to apply. So later when I was ready, I wasn't nervous and he had had plenty of time to write a good letter without being rushed. All I had to do was bring the forms around as I got them from the schools.