help in finding a 4th LOR writer

[frankdux]

i'm in a bit of a bind here.

2 of my applications require FOUR letters of rec, instead of the usual three. problem is, i've been having an incredibly difficult time finding anyone for that 4th letter.

i've had two other professors in the past who have written me letters before that aren't currently the three i'm having me write letters at present. and i've emailed these two individuals but have gotten NO response. (one of them i emailed three times and have since completely given up. at this point i'm probably becoming a nuisance.)

i'm going in to math and i think i've basically already reached the limit of former math professors who would even remotely remember me. (the 3 who are currently writing me letters along with the 2 who haven't responded) should i go with some other professor who isn't in math? the only person i could think of would be my japanese instructor. i had her for 4 semesters and got an A each semester. she has written a letter for me before for a job teaching english in japan. unfortunately this isn't math, and she isn't a professor. seems like it would be a bit of a stretch.

i also have former student teacher mentors who wrote me letters previously. this was during the student teaching semester of my combined masters degree + teaching certificate. ( i originally wanted to be a high school math teacher, but now i want to be a professor) but again, this feels like a stretch. i just dont know.

thoughts? comments?

[Dreams]

I personally like the Japanese teacher idea. It would paint a picture from a different point of view than what usually comes from Math professors.

Are you allowed to use professional references? If so, then perhaps you could shoot for one of your past employers. It would be worth a shot.

I am facing the same situation with one school's PhD program I am applying to and just opted for another professional reference.

Good luck

[frankdux]

I personally like the Japanese teacher idea. It would paint a picture from a different point of view than what usually comes from Math professors.

Are you allowed to use professional references? If so, then perhaps you could shoot for one of your past employers. It would be worth a shot.

I am facing the same situation with one school's PhD program I am applying to and just opted for another professional reference.

Good luck

i was reading the school's FAQs and yes, they do allow professional references. I taught in japan for a year so maybe i should get a letter from my japanese employer. that would definitely be something different. my only concern would be that english is not his first language. maybe we could work on the letter 'together'.