[NSF GRFP 2014-2015]

I have a question about recommenders... 

 

I have two chosen for sure: my REU mentor (REU done summer before Senior year) and my current graduate mentor.

 

I'm at a lost for the third for a few reasons. I attended a huge state school for my undergrad and I did undergraduate research for a year and a half before moving on to greener REU pastures. During my senior year I chose not to continue research in that lab as chose to TAed a bio course and analyzed my REU data for my senior honors thesis.

 

After graduating I took a year off to take a break from school and pursued non academic interests.

 

I'm stuck trying to find a third recommender. I know that I could ask the PI from early in my undergrad days, but I am not in the field anymore, and it has been 3 years since we've talked. Another option is one undergraduate prof that advised me on writing my thesis for a semester senior year and wrote me letters for grad school. I never really had many professors that knew me well outside of research (state school...) and my gap year created no contacts that could help me out. Lastly, my grad program is on the quarter system so while I've been on campus since May doing ecology field work I still haven't made contacts outside of my lab in the department.

 

Any help here? My proposal will be on plant ecology and has a large teaching/outreach component.

That's really up to you. I would personally go with the professor who wrote you recommendations for grad school. His letter had a part in getting you into grad school, so it must be favorable. 

[NSF GRFP 2014-2015]

Hi, I'm looking for some input regarding letter writers. I have two of my three figured out (my current adviser, and a professor with whom I have written a roceedings paper, conference submissions, manuscript, etc.). Both these will be strong recommendations. But it's less obvious who should write the last one. There are basically two options:

 

(i) a young researcher who received her PhD in math five years ago who collaborated with my adviser and me for four months or so while she was at my institution. She is now at another institution. She can attest to my knowledge of the math relevant for my research proposal. Having her letter would further show that I am able to work with an interdisciplinary group, as I am not in math. The obvious disadvantage is that she is not a professor yet.

(ii) a professor in my field and at my institution whose course I took last semester and wrote a good term paper for. However, his research is maybe even less closely related to mine than is the research of (i). The advantage is that he is far more senior than (i).

 

I have more positive things about (i), and I am leaning towards asking her. What do you think, should I ask (i) or would it look weak to get a LoR from a postdoc/young researcher?

 

I would go for the more senior professor personally. Yes, you may have a better relationship with the first one, but it will look better to have a full professor writing a recommendation. I would write up your proposal and personal statement (whatever NSF calls it) and give it to the second professor so that he can write a strong LOR, as one of the questions that the recommendations ask includes: "Is the student capable of carrying out the proposed project?" (Not verbatim, but something along those lines)

[NSF GRFP 2014-2015]

That's probably what I'll do.  I'll keep it to one or two sentences at the most. 

 

I'm still debating letter writers.  I'll definitely have a good letter from the professor I did research with over the summer.  I can't ask either of my senior thesis advisers because they're just too damn unreliable.  I asked one of them for letters for grad school and 1) he didn't even start on them until 2 days after I asked him to submit them and 2) I had to practically stand over his shoulder and then fax the letters for him.  My other adviser is tenured and close to retirement.  He half-asses everything.  However, he was extremely supportive of me so I'm still torn as to whether I should ask him.

 

Is it customary to ask your current graduate adviser even though they've only known you 3 months or so?

What about professors who aren't in your field but know you and your work well?

 

Edit: I should have added that my current adviser is well-known and respected in the field for whatever that's worth in the NSF process. 

 

I got a GRFP last year, and I had my 1). current advisor, 2). my undergrad advisor, and 3). one of my favorite professors from undergrad. The reason I put him as my primary reference is because I knew that he would write me an outstanding letter. PI's want NSF fellows in their groups because they don't have to pay an extra student as a research assistant, and it's a prestigious award, which makes them look good. 

[NSF GRFP 2013-14]

I was awarded!!

 

E/E

E/E

E/E

 

I was surprised because I had a big 0 publications. I did have 7 presentations though (some even award winning). 

I also had a 4.0 GPA from undergrad and a lot of "broader impact" activities (mentoring underprivileged kids, mentoring freshman, mentoring minority students in the Summer Bridge program, serving on graduate panels, helping recruit students into the sciences, outreach activities). I think that helped a lot. Also, my recommendations were apparently outstanding, even though I have never seen them. 

 

Anyways, I'm so excited! It's been quite a journey with you guys the past few weeks. I just need a nap right now. 

[NSF GRFP 2013-14]

DON'T PANIC!

PANICCCCC!

[NSF GRFP 2013-14]

WHERE'S THE MESSAGE?

[NSF GRFP 2013-14]

Wrong again, as you can find additional listings for similar deans at other schools for this year.

Where? I can't see anything for any other GRFP's. 

 

I'm just curious