Deciding whether to ask a professor to help you get into a graduate program without an entrance exam involves many considerations. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision: 1. **Understand program requirements**: - **Admission criteria**: Confirm whether the graduate program allows admission without an entrance exam. If this path is officially recognized, then it is a legitimate option. - **Academic requirements**: Make sure you have the academic background and ability required for the program. Even if it is through a professor's recommendation, academic ability is still the key to successfully completing graduate studies. 2. **Evaluate the relationship with the professor**: - **Authenticity of the relationship**: Make sure you have a real and solid relationship with this professor. Be honest about your interests and motivations, and don't just establish a relationship for the sake of admission. - **Professor support**: Find out if the professor truly supports your academic ability and research potential, and is not just helping you because of some personal factors. 3. **Consider professional ethics and fairness**: - **Fair competition**: Think about whether admission through a relationship is in line with the principle of fair competition. If many applicants apply through the normal path, make sure your admission will not be seen as unfair. - **Reputation impact**: If you are admitted through a relationship, but fail to meet the program's requirements, it may affect your academic reputation and future development. 4. **Be Well Prepared**: - **Academic Preparation**: Even with the professor's recommendation, make sure you are well prepared in terms of professional knowledge and research ability to meet the challenges of graduate school. - **Application Materials**: Prepare the necessary application materials, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, research plans, etc., to demonstrate your academic ability and research interests. 5. **Communication Method**: - **Sincere Expression**: If you decide to ask the professor for help, express your request in a sincere and professional manner, stating your academic interests, research goals, and why you choose this project. - **Respect the professor's decision**: Understand that the professor may have various reasons to decide whether to support your application, respect their decision, and do not put too much pressure on them. 6. **Alternative Plans**: - **Other Ways**: Consider whether you are willing to take the normal entrance examination or apply for other programs if you cannot be admitted through the exemption method. - **Improve Competitiveness**: Regardless of the final result, continue to improve your academic ability and research experience to enhance the competitiveness of future applications. In general, if you have a good relationship with the professor and you do have the corresponding academic ability and research potential, appropriately asking the professor for help may be a viable option. However, it is important to ensure that the process is transparent and fair and that you are prepared for the challenges of postgraduate study.