Letters of Recommendation when applying to a variety of programs

[pinkerton]

Hi everyone,

I am in the process of applying to graduate programs. I have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Master of Media Studies - Concordia University

Master of Immigration and Settlement Studies - Ryerson University

Master of Communication and Culture - Ryerson and York Universities (joint program)

Master of Industrial Relations - Queen's University

Master of Industrial Relations and Human Resources - University of Toronto

My question is does it look bad to referees when you are applying to programs that are quite different from each other? I do have a genuine interest in all of these programs but I am not sure whether the variety would be perceived negatively. As long as I could explain my interest in each of the programs, do you think that that would suffice?

Thank you in advance for any tips/advice.

[Normal]

I'm watching this thread with interest. I applied and was accepted to a couple Media Studies program but am more interested in pursuing a career in education, and I've just spent the last few weeks working up the courage to bother my references to adapt their original letter for my new field. I've been working in both fields simultaneously for a year now and have done well in both, but I am afraid that the switching may indicate to my reference that I was not sincere in my original request, and may undermine the second. I've been curious as to how true this is as well.