LOR from Post-Doc

[mtorred8213]

Currently, I have two letters of recommendation that are from professors that have been able to gauge my research potential. From what I understand, this is what programs look favorably upon. The problem is that I need one more LOR, the only person I feel safe with writing such a letter would be a post-doc student that I've been working with.

My question: I feel like this would be the best person that could help me out with a recommendation letter, but will the fact that he is a post-doctoral student, rather than an actual professor, hurt the value of the LOR? I mean, I have no problem with asking for a letter from a professor whose class I did well in, but he/she wouldn't know how I perform in the lab.

Any input would be appreciated!

-Mick

[Krypton]

Is this post-doc in the lab of a professor you're already getting an LOR from? If so, this could result in a lot of redundancy in their letters. You're better off getting a letter from just the professor of that lab (if possible, with input from the post-doc) and going elsewhere for the 3rd letter. It's fine if your 3rd letter doesn't attest to your lab abilities; most people do not have 3 professors who can all attest to a student's research ability.

[dhm0219]

I think it would be fine to have a letter from someone who you have actually worked alongside in the lab. I used four letters for applications that allowed it, with three being from PIs that I worked for and one being from a PhD student that I worked with in one of the labs (who has since graduated and gone on to work in industry). I think two letters from professors and one from a post-doc would be fine, though, assuming they all write well for you.

If you can get a meaningful letter from the prof of the course as well, I would do so and send four when you can.

[jayeyesee]

My three letters were from two professors and one postdoc that worked with me. Everything worked out fine for me (in terms of interview invitations and admissions) so I think you'll be okay if you decide to get that third letter from a postdoc.

However, I do have to agree with krypton about the redundancy part. If your postdoc is just going to reiterate what your PI wrote then you might be better off getting a letter from a professor who might not be able to attest to your research abilities.

But if you really want to play it safe, why not get 4 letters? I think most schools allow more than 3 rec letters.