Lecturer LOR

[Thanks4Downvoting]

Hey guys,

I'm in a situation where the professor I took two classes from this year, formed a close personal relationship with, and was the most successful student of both said classes is a lecturer. He was only going to be there for the year and has since taken another position at another university. He knows me exceedingly well and was committed to working with me all year, and would write an absolutely GLOWING LoR. He also has a PhD from an Ivy League institution in my field, but is just not a tenure-track professor. Is he a good option or should I look for other options?

Any opinions are appreciated!

[JustChill]

I've always thought that a good, personal recommendation from a professor who knows you well would outweigh their title, but I found out the hard way once that it does not. I was told by a committee member at my undergrad school once that part of the reason I didn't get some award was that one of my letters came from a lecturer. The main thing is their title -- lecturer. Ad coms tend to trust the opinion of fellow professors more than those of lecturers or instructors (because usually lecturers and instructors are just beginning their careers).

You have to realize that unless you're applying to a very small department at a small school, you're going to have an incredible amount of competition. The vast majority of those people are going to have LORs from professors, not lecturers. My advisor last year told me to replace an Assistant Professor with a full Professor as one of my recommenders, because it would be "more authoritative."

[Thanks4Downvoting]

I've always thought that a good, personal recommendation from a professor who knows you well would outweigh their title, but I found out the hard way once that it does not. I was told by a committee member at my undergrad school once that part of the reason I didn't get some award was that one of my letters came from a lecturer. The main thing is their title -- lecturer. Ad coms tend to trust the opinion of fellow professors more than those of lecturers or instructors (because usually lecturers and instructors are just beginning their careers).

You have to realize that unless you're applying to a very small department at a small school, you're going to have an incredible amount of competition. The vast majority of those people are going to have LORs from professors, not lecturers. My advisor last year told me to replace an Assistant Professor with a full Professor as one of my recommenders, because it would be "more authoritative."

Wow, that's enlightening. I had hoped that the reverse would be true, but I feared it would be as you say.

[socialpsych]

I was in a similar situation as you and was also advised (by other professors) not to get one from a lecturer, even one who knows me well and believes in my potential. Sorry!

Edited June 14, 2010 by socialpsych

[dant.gwyrdd]

Yeah, I pondered that too and the lecturer I wanted to ask said that she'd love to do it, but also advised me that it could hurt my chances if I didn't get all of my LoRs from professors.

Edited June 14, 2010 by dant.gwyrdd

[Thanks4Downvoting]

I've always thought that a good, personal recommendation from a professor who knows you well would outweigh their title, but I found out the hard way once that it does not. I was told by a committee member at my undergrad school once that part of the reason I didn't get some award was that one of my letters came from a lecturer. The main thing is their title -- lecturer. Ad coms tend to trust the opinion of fellow professors more than those of lecturers or instructors (because usually lecturers and instructors are just beginning their careers).

You have to realize that unless you're applying to a very small department at a small school, you're going to have an incredible amount of competition. The vast majority of those people are going to have LORs from professors, not lecturers. My advisor last year told me to replace an Assistant Professor with a full Professor as one of my recommenders, because it would be "more authoritative."

I was in a similar situation as you and was also advised (by other professors) not to get one from a lecturer, even one who knows me well and believes in my potential. Sorry!

Yeah, I pondered that too and the lecturer I wanted to ask said that she'd love to do it, but also advised me that it could hurt my chances if I didn't get all of my LoRs from professors.

Oh well, consensus is damning. Thanks for your input, all.

[rising_star]

I would submit the letter from the lecturer as a supplemental (or fourth) recommendation to the schools that allow additional LORs.

[Thanks4Downvoting]

I would submit the letter from the lecturer as a supplemental (or fourth) recommendation to the schools that allow additional LORs.

Thanks for the input! That sounds like a good way to get such a positive LoR in my application.