Who to ask...need advice on recommenders!

[technological]

Am applying to graduate schools and need some advice on who to ask and when to do it. I'm applying to several PhD programs and a few MS programs as backups (I didn't do so well undergrad & have only a years worth research experience in my field, so LoRs are probably going to be very important in my case). I also didn't really have too much one-on-one time with any professors except one whose lab I worked at, so I'm pretty comfortable asking him. I have emailed two others in the past - I'd gotten A's in both their classes & had no interaction with one and very minimal with the other (the latter I sincerely enjoyed his class & it really did have an impact on what I wanted to research). In the past I asked for recommendations from them for a MS program & didn't get in.

I'm wondering now if I should ask two different professors for LoRs - perhaps ones that were in my field. I didn't get much face time with any profs in my field other than for lab projects in which I worked on in a group - I also didn't do as well as I could've for their classes (B-/B) but was experiencing health issues. I've heard it's generally not good to get a LoR from a class you've gotten a B in, but I'm also thinking it's not so good to have a recommendation from someone who didn't get to know you at all. Also, I graduated in December 2011 so haven't talked to any of these professors for years at this point (not counting the profs I asked for LoRs in the past).

Anyhow, I'd like some input on what I should do. My earliest deadline is November 26th, so I know I have to send a general email letting them know that I'm applying to graduate programs and ask them if they can write a LoR. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

[Radian]

Well in my personal opinion, your situation is not any different from most of other applicants. Even students with masters degree have done probably the same period of research as you, except probably more intense and focused and with solid results (since they have to defend it in the end).

That being said, I don't think the timing is your problem but the problem is the recommendation content. When you ask a professor for a LOR and he agrees that's only 25% of the process. Specially nowadays that LORs are more like quiz tests which kills the flexibility of the professor and he must answer questions with binary logic ! either 0 or 1 ! ... so it really matters how they answer the question and whether if they leave any question of LOR form as N/A or not !

ok, now you have a prof. who is willing to write the LOR (of course it's not writing any more, it is filling) and he will do it pretty well. HERE COMES THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: WHO IS THIS GUY ? ... you know probabely any good program has more that 2000 applicants. That makes it about more that 6000 LORs to look at ! do you think people really care about LOR from sb they don't know ?! What about a LOR from sb the admission commity know personally or professionally !? here you are making an impact !

So those are the things you should really keep in mind while seeking for LORs

Edited October 24, 2012 by Radian

[rkg2012]

HERE COMES THE MOST IMPORTANT PART: WHO IS THIS GUY ?

I have to blatantly disagree. I strong personal letter from a not-so-important person means MUCH more than a half-hearted letter from a big name. Also, most programs won't have 2k apps.

Did the profs of the classes you got Bs in know about your issues? If they can talk about your potential and explain what was going on, that could actually help you. Regardless of who you ask, send them your SoP, CV, your writing sample or a piece of coursework from their class. Help them to help you. Whoever you did research with is an obvious choice. As for others, whoever knows you the best and is happy (not just willing) to write for you would probably be the best bet. Perhaps you can vet them out by arranging a short phone conversation to talk about the possibility... or to talk about your career path and then bring up the letter if they sound like they might do it.