Actually how many strong letters of rec. do you need?

[marco_math]

I was thinking that most of us who are trying to get into grad school are actually looking for our first or second experience in doing research. It is a general consensus from what I have read in this forum that one should look for recommenders who we have worked with apart from a classroom. This seems a bit paradoxical to me because if were applying to grad school it means that we have not had much experience in doing research and is precisely what were looking to do. In my case, I have had one research experience and the professor I worked with has agreed to write what I think is going to be a very strong letter of rec. With respect to the other two recommendations, they are sadly going to be quite lukewarm "he was a very good student and got an A in my classes" kind of letters. It took me a year and a half of hard work to be able to obtain that strong letter and I don't see any possible way (timewise) to be able to gain another one of these exactly a year and a half after I finished undergrad school. So my question is how many strong letters of rec. is a grad school actually expecting from the students they finally admit? Would one strong letter of rec + 2 somewhat lukewarm one´s be enough?

[emmm]

Even if you don't have extensive research experience (which may hurt your application in and of itself), you should be able to get strong letters from your professors. It may involve some effort, but it is generally possible. I had one letter from my one recent research experience and two letters from people who taught me in class only, but who I visited during office hours and discussed subject-related topics and my plans for grad school with. By the time letters were due, these people were strong advocates for me, and they are people I am still in contact with and now consider friends, since we are no longer in teacher-student relationships (and I no longer attend the school where they teach). I realize this is easier to accomplish in some schools than others, but no matter where you are, it does require more than just attending class and "blending in." On the other hand, the first time I applied to schools after undergrad, I was pleasantly surprised that profs who I'd thought wouldn't even know my name not only knew who I was but were happy to write letters for me. I did not get copies of those letters, but I got accepted to the school I was applying to, so they must have been better than "did well in class." And this was also a year+ after graduating (but I was in a smallish major).

[octopussongs]

I wonder that too, as I only have a BA. I did research for a quarter but under a graduate student in a massive psych. dept. where the supervisor of the graduate student's project as very unapproachable. So I have two prof. letters (one strong but from a diff. department than mine, one good from a prof in my dept.) and one work reference (I've been out of school for 3 years and he has multiple advanced degrees so it's better than nothing). Sadly, this is a consequence of me being shy during undergrad. I am fully aware I may have to take another year and fork over some cash for a class and earn another strong letter to get into grad school but as long as I'm progressing...I dont mind terribly.

These letters are really hard to get, especially if you haven't been in school for a while, and honestly, those who have 3 stellar ones deserve a spot over me bc they've obviously been more outgoing and conversational than me, which helps in professional, academic and social lives. I have a feeling shy people won't do well in grad school so the letters are really there for a reason, to show you are mature and can develope relationships, no matter how awkward and uncomfortable they may be.

[TakeruK]

To original poster (marco_math):

I would say that for a student applying from undergrad, at least one strong research supervisor LOR is necessary to be a strong candidate. Two would be great and three is hard to do but obviously better. "non-traditional" students generally have a tougher time finding LORs since they may be several years removed from their last academic experience. So, I think you will be fine -- you already have one strong letter and 1.5 years to find one or two more. A very reasonable goal is to do a summer research project this coming summer to get your 2nd LOR and then do a senior thesis in your fourth year to get your 3rd LOR. LORs are not the only reason to do research though, of course, having the research experience will strengthen your grad school application and more importantly, help you decide what you want to do with your career.

You are in a good place right now to start planning your path towards grad school. I don't think it's a paradox to require research LORs before grad school. I don't think grad school is a place to "start doing research", especially not in the STEM fields. It's good to have a taste of research before committing 5+ years of your life to a PhD program! Grad school, instead, is a place to start to learn how to do independent research and other skills necessary for academia (teaching, presenting, etc.). In addition, when considering applicants, grad schools are looking for students who either have a proven ability to perform research, or demonstrated potential. They will be investing several hundreds of thousands of dollars in you so they want to make sure you are a "good investment".

So you should start planning out how you are going to find at least one more research project to work on. (At schools I've been to, you generally want to start talking to profs about summer research around January-February. Sometimes you can apply for programs like REUs etc.) My advice is for undergrads to do as many different projects as possible in undergrad -- so even if your first research prof offers you a job again next summer, I'd say to try and do something different (or at least involve another professor) so that you can get another LOR. More importantly, this will expose you to more topics in your field and you might find there's something else even more interesting to pursue in grad school. Finally, remember that not all of your experience have to be in your same field -- at this point, grad schools just want to see that you've had experience in research!

I strongly believe that grad school / PhD programs is not something a student should pursue as the "logical next step in their education". Deciding to go do graduate work was a big decision for me and a result of many years of planning. My BSc program was very good at encouraging us to plan ahead and informing us the importance of doing research as an undergrad. This keeps your options open in case you do want to do grad school later and also introduces you to research / academia.

Edited October 30, 2012 by TakeruK

[R Deckard]

In my experience: one.

To clarify, I had one very strong letter, and two "good" letters that probably didn't make much difference, and I got into 5 or so top 20 programs (I got into virtually every program where my strongest letter writer was well-known).

[marco_math]

Thanks for your answer guys. I am applying to grad school this year so in a couple of months we´ll see. I actually do think one should be able to get at least one great recommendation letter but three does sometimes seem like a lot.