LOR from place where I volunteer

[votanor]

quick summary about me: applying to program in experimental psychology. I have 2 professors who will write me a letter but for the last one I don't have any other professors I feel comfortable asking. I volunteer once a week at a veteran's hospital, pouring them coffee, playing board games, things like that. I have been doing it for about a year and they know me pretty well. I was thinking of asking the lady who is in charge of the program for a LOR. I know what I do there isn't related to experimental psych in the least bit and barely related to psychology, it's more clinical psychology if anything. I think the supervisor might write me a letter saying that I'm a great guy and helpful and so on but it's not going to be about anything academic. she's a licensed social worker but that won't make a difference. of course I would prefer all three letters to be from sources familiar with my academic work but given that I don't really have a choice, does it look bad to send in a letter talking about your volunteer experience which has nothing to do with the program you are applying to? and more generally, I have read somewhere that volunteering and community service don't help on grad school apps as much as I thought, unless you are going for something related to that, like social work. anyone know something about this? thanks for your time.

[TMP]

Doubt it. You've taken plenty of coursework as an undergrad (and master's student if applicable), there has to be at least one professor who can vouch for you.

[votanor]

thanks for the advice. although - I wasn't the greatest student and I asked several of my old professors for letters, and a few told me they wouldn't be able to write me a strong letter. I do have 2 professors who I can ask that will write a good letter but the third letter is what I am worried about,.I went through a list all the professors I had and no more spring to mind. so between getting a mediocre letter from an academic source and a more positive statement from a non-academic one, it's a tough call.

Edited October 26, 2010 by yaronatov

[TMP]

Are you looking for a PhD? When you say you weren't the greatest student, do you mean that your GPA isn't competitive enough (minimum of 3.0)? My thinking is that maybe you should look into doing a master's program so you can prove yourself to be an excellent student who can get strong and solid LORs (as well as better GPA) and more experience.

[votanor]

Are you looking for a PhD? When you say you weren't the greatest student, do you mean that your GPA isn't competitive enough (minimum of 3.0)? My thinking is that maybe you should look into doing a master's program so you can prove yourself to be an excellent student who can get strong and solid LORs (as well as better GPA) and more experience.

no, going for a master's right now. gpa is 2.85. I showed improvement in the last 40 units and major gpa is a little higher - 3.3. I think I have a chance but it's definitely not as solid as I'd like.

Edited October 27, 2010 by yaronatov

[DariaIRL]

I think you should think harder on how to spin your experience with the veteran's hospital. If the person is willing to let you work together on a letter, I think it could be decent. Practica/Internships do take place in veteran's hospitals, ya know!

[votanor]

I think you should think harder on how to spin your experience with the veteran's hospital. If the person is willing to let you work together on a letter, I think it could be decent. Practica/Initternships do take place in veteran's hospitals, ya know!

yeah totally. I mean it's not research oriented, which is what my intended grad program is geared toward, but it shows that I made a long term commitment and stuck with it, and as long as the other two letters speak to my academic capabilities I think it could be okay. thanks again for your help!