Too much letters of rec?

[marco_math]

Recently a professor who had previously, somewhat enthusiastically agreed to write a letter of rec. for me told me that she would prefer for me to look for someone else because I was applying to too many schools. She said that she is very busy right now and that ten schools would be impossible for her to write a recommendation for. I was actually very surprised to see this response after I sent her the final list of schools.

I was never really worried about the amount of schools I would be applying to because I really thought that my recommenders could basically write a generic letter and upload this letter to each of the ten schools. If this were the case, then the number of schools I would be applying to seems irrelevant doesn't it? Is the amount of schools I'm going to be applying to something I should start worrying about? How does the process of writing a letter actually work?

[Darth.Vegan]

Well that's disappointing. This might be a good thing as she seems as if she wasn't all that enthusiastic after all. While there is some work associated with filling out the forms for all the applications, they can indeed use the same letter and simply change the name of school and program to which you are applying.

[midnight]

While I know it's disappointing and confusing that she won't write the letter, it's probably best not to pursue it further since she sounds unenthusiastic and has clearly stated she has no time (which I find particularly irksome because part of being a professor is writing LORs--time is a poor excuse unless a student asks for an LOR extremely close to the deadline).

As darthvegan mentioned, perhaps she's giving you this excuse because she can't highly recommend you for whatever reason. A negative or lazy letter is incredibly detrimental to an app, so it's in your best interest to find someone else who is happy to write you a strong one.

[marco_math]

Yes I agree and I will not insist on her letter of rec. But after this experience would it be wise for me to ask the next professor I choose how many schools would he or she be comfortable with? My main problem is that I already sent the final list of schools to the other two professors, one agreed to write the letter for all ten schools (this is my thesis advisor), but the other has not answered and I am now worried that she may have also have been appalled by the amount of schools. I am actually really stressing out right now because I don't know if I have scared off my recommenders because of the amount of schools I put in the final list. What do I do?

Edited October 30, 2012 by marco_math

[midnight]

Honestly 10 schools is not some outrageous amount. It seems within the realm of normal for applicants to apply to five to 10 schools since grad school admissions are incredibly competitive.

It won't hurt to give the next prof a heads up, but I don't think most would be surprised by your application amount.

[marco_math]

Thanks for your response, I was actually thinking the same thing when I sent the final list. I have seen a lot of other people from all over the world apply to about ten schools. I really think that this particular prof was just looking for a way out. Hopefully I can come with a nice substitute.

By the way what would be more effective: A somewhat lukewarm he took a couple of classes with me and got an A letter of rec from a somewhat famous professor or a very nice he was my Calculus TA and I am sure he will be a very strong student in your program from a not well known prof?

[midnight]

By the way what would be more effective: A somewhat lukewarm he took a couple of classes with me and got an A letter of rec from a somewhat famous professor or a very nice he was my Calculus TA and I am sure he will be a very strong student in your program from a not well known prof?

I personally think the latter since the A with the famous prof will speak for itself on your transcript.

I think it would be different if you had an established relationship with the famous prof, but it sounds like the letter from him would be good but generic and not glowing. However, I'm not sure if the name alone would give you more notice in a sea of applicants.

Hm, hopefully someone who knows a lot more than I do can weigh in.

[Chai_latte]

What a disappointment! 10 is definitely not a huge number. Get another prof, and I would also recommend the one who knows you better. Who knows, maybe you can ask him to mention your "A's" in Dr. Famous' classes. That way you get an enthusiastic rec and an acknowledgement of your strong performance with Dr. Famous. Win-win.

[marco_math]

Ok to be totally honest I actually made recount of the schools I included in the original final list I sent to the prof and got 16 schools. So she actually may have a had a point in her reply. What do you guys think?

[Chai_latte]

May I ask why you're applying to 16? Are they all great fits (research/location etc.)? Is your list top-loaded with "dream schools"? Are there schools on the list that you'd really hate to attend?

I ask b/c initially I had forwarded 14 schools to my profs (none complained about my number), but I wound up getting rid of 2 schools (location) and then 3 more (poor fit).

If there's some fat you can trim off of that list of 16, do so (but don't force it). If, by chance, you can get it down to a lower number, you might want to ask her again. BUT, honestly... if I were you, I'd probably move on to the next prof. If I sense anything less than 110% enthusiasm (even if the reason is external and has nothing to do with me), I move on.

EDIT: Unless she's your UG research advisor. If that's the case, do what you need to do to get her rec.

Edited November 1, 2012 by Chai_latte

[marco_math]

Well basically all 16 schools have programs that are a good fit and would be happy to go to if it was the only option. Some are dream schools and some are equally good schools but with lesser demand. Some are safety schools. This professor sincerely apologized when she told me she would prefer for me to look to for someone because of the amount of schools and blamed her very intense work schedule these days. In a way I believe her but I am not going to pursue her letter of rec unless it is extremely necessary. I recently wrote to a professor whom I worked for a summer with on a topic of research. He replied that it would be his pleasure to write me a rec. He is a slightly newbie in the research business because he just recently finished his phd (about three years ago) so he is not that well known but he promises to write a very strong letter. I have this other professor who has agreed to write me a letter but said that it would be based solely on her experience with as one of her students. It doesn't promise to be a very bright letter but she is a slightly more famous prof. She is actually quite famous but mostly to scholars in Europe not the USA where I plan to go to. So which one do you think is best?

Thanks for your answers by the way.

[Chai_latte]

i'd go w/ the new guy

[R Deckard]

Well basically all 16 schools have programs that are a good fit and would be happy to go to if it was the only option.

I had the same mentality when applying. I would recommend only applying to schools that you would be happy attending even if you get into similar quality programs...

[Eigen]

I'm always surprised at how many schools people apply to.

I only applied to 3, and most of the other people I know of applied to similar numbers (2-5).

[midnight]

I'm always surprised at how many schools people apply to.

I only applied to 3, and most of the other people I know of applied to similar numbers (2-5).

I'm only applying to two schools as of right now, but I may have to up it to four or five because there has been a glut of SLP applicants in recent years.

If things were still the way they were three or so years ago, I'd be completely satisfied with just two apps.

[viggosloof28]

I'm only applying to two schools as of right now, but I may have to up it to four or five because there has been a glut of SLP applicants in recent years.

If things were still the way they were three or so years ago, I'd be completely satisfied with just two apps.

I think it also may depend on the field you're in. One of the POI's I emailed at Berkeley (for European History) advised me to cast a wide net, and said he himself had applied to 10 schools. Funnily enough, that's my number of apps, as well.

[midnight]

^If a professor tells you to do that, it's probably wise to listen!

Good luck, viggo. Your stats look great.