Would you consider closely related courses for a better university and letter of recommendation?

Yes, taking a closely related or bridge course is a smart move that can meaningfully strengthen both your academic profile and your letter of recommendation. Your professors in advanced or interdisciplinary electives usually teach smaller, project heavy classes, which gives them far more material to write a specific, convincing recommendation than a large introductory lecture ever could. Choosing the right course and engaging with the right professor is what actually turns this strategy into a stronger application.

Why This Strategy Works In Your Favor

How To Maximize The Benefit

• Check prerequisites first, so you are not fighting the grading curve in a higher level course outside your core department.
• Prioritize courses with a major term paper, coding project or lab component, since these give your professor concrete achievements to describe.
• Attend office hours early and often, and connect the coursework directly to your academic goals so the professor can write a genuinely personalized letter.

My Advice

Pick one related course this term that includes a substantial project component, and introduce yourself to the professor in the first two weeks rather than waiting until the course ends. A recommendation letter written by someone who watched you work through a real project for a full semester will always carry more weight than one from a professor who only remembers your name from a roster.