That third LOR... a few choices

[zecone13]

Hi guys, I was hoping that you could help me out!

My undergrad major is materials engineering, but early on I decided that it wasn't for me. I attempted to switch majors at the end of my sophomore year to computer science, but was unable to due to the fact that I would not be able to finish in 5 years (school policy). Instead of settling for a future in a field that I am not satisfied with, I decided to use all of my electives to spend a quarter taking robotics/computer graphics classes and going on a trip to do some international robotics research with a team of CS students. This team had 7 students and 3 profs.

Anyways, after that trip I decided that I would prefer to continue my education by pursuing a Ph.D in mechatronics/automation rather than working/going to school for materials engineering. I will be applying to grad schools this fall in ME, AERO, and CS (depending on the school).

Now... I have kept up with 2 of the 3 professors, and I think I am going to ask them for letters of rec. One teaches graphics, the other robotics/automation. Both have a lot amount of publications and are fairly well known. I think I will get good LORs from them (very good connection with them, done research with both, will be publishing with one, got As in their classes despite not having the ~5 or so prerequisite classes, and I consider them my friends).

The third is a tough choice. I have three that I am considering:

Candidate 1: The materials engineering dept. head at my school. I have taken a few classes with him (and I will be in one of his this next fall). I have talked with him about my intentions for the future and asked him for advice a few times. He uses my freshman project as an example to all of the incoming freshmen and their parents during open house as to what they can accomplish and why they should attend this school. The thing is, he does not have any experience with robotics, and while he can attest for my passion, I am worried that this may not look as good as it could to the admissions committees.

Candidate 2: My boss this summer. I have an internship at a large-scale underwater ROV manufacturing company. My boss will put in a good word that I am hard working and passionate about robotics. I have saved quite a bit of money for the company already and have fixed a few problems that they were having. However, I am in one of the same situations... I am working there as a materials engineer (plastics & metal processing etc), and not doing anything related to mechatronics/controls/automation. My boss also does not have a graduate degree, which unfortunately might take away from his word.

Candidate 3: The 3rd professor who came on the international trip. She saw how dedicated I was during the application process for this trip, and all throughout the quarter when we were traveling. She told me that she was inspired by how much I had learned in such a short amount of time. During the trip she recommended that I continue on to get a Ph.D because I was the kind of person who would benefit from it, which was when I first considered the option. However, while she does have a Ph.D, she teaches in the liberal arts department at our school. Kind of the same idea as the first professor; I'm afraid the admissions committee would prefer that I get an LOR from someone in the field that I plan to pursue.

Can you guys please help me out? Who should I ask? I always have time to improve my relationship with any of the three candidates, as I am on good terms with all of them.

Thank you everyone!

[TheFez]

Clearly... Bachelor #1.