+ 5 years out of academic

[OldGrad2012]

Hi all,

I am in a dire situation here for I am applying to PhD programs, but I am out of school for +5years now. I do not have any professors for which can write me a great LOR. I can go back an asked them, but I do not think none of them remember me. I have taken community classes so would it be good to ask a professor from a community college. As of now, my LORs will be from my PI at Stanford University whom I have work with.

But I need 2 more LORs.

Here are my options.

Option 1:

1 LOR from my current PI

1 LOR from my previous boss

1 LOR from a professor who barely knows me

Option 2:

1 LOR from my current PI

2 LORs from my previous supervisors or bosses at biotech or research industry

Ultimately, my question is that is it necessary to get LORs from past professors who barely know me? Any comments is appreciated.

[ktel]

Getting a LOR from someone who doesn't remember you is a recipe for disaster. Given your situation I think 2 letters from previous supervisors/bosses would be much more appropriate and give you much stronger LORs.

[newms]

Usually I've seen universities in this situation suggest that you get a recommendation from your boss, but they still usually want 2 academic references that speak to your research potential. If your current bosses can speak to your research ability and/or potential, then definitely go for option 2. You don't want a letter from someone that doesn't remember you, or possibly worse, can only say that you did well in class. Those can be the kiss of death.