Advice on third LOR

[stresshair]

I am planning to apply to molecular/cell/development grad programs this fall, and I have two very strong LORs. One from the lab head of a research driven industry lab I worked in last summer. The second from a prof I am currently working for this summer, and will be doing my fourth year thesis with. However, I am not sure who to ask for my third LOR. I have three options that I see:

 

1) The graduate student who I am working closely with this summer. The positives, She would definitely know me the best of any of these three options, and probably more so than my other two LORs. Also, she would definitely be able to speak to my potential for doing research. The negatives, She is finishing up her PhD this year, but won't be finished by the time I am applying, and I don't know if it is appropriate to have a grad student write a letter. Another negative, this would be two LORs from the same lab, which doesn't seem very appropriate. The justification for doing this being that she can speak to how well I actually work in the lab, and the PI (who isn't in the lab very often) can speak to my academic capabilities.

 

2) An organic chemistry professor from third year who I took two classes with. I did very well in my classes with him, finishing at the top of one and very close to the top of the other. The problem here is that he does not know me very well. I participated in class and he knew me by name, but our interactions outside of class were limited and very brief. He did try to get me to work in his lab for the summer, but I had already made arrangements with the prof I am currently working with that I didn't want to go back on. Another issue is that organic chemistry has little to do with the programs I will be applying for. I also don't know how willing he would be to write LORs for me, but I will have to figure that out.

 

3) My least favourite option, and definitely the worst option: get to know a prof from 1 of my 3 classes I have first semester. All my courses in first semester are small seminar based courses, so it would not be difficult to get to know them, but the time frame is very small.  

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I hope this is written clearly!

[Monochrome Spring]

I don't think it's appropriate to have a graduate student write your LOR, so I would cross her off of the list. You could consider adding her as a 4th LOR, IF the schools you are applying to allow more than 3.

 

I would talk to the professor from your organic chemistry course. Just be honest and ask him if he could write you a good letter. Remind him of all of the work you did, and tell him about what you've done since. He should let you know if he can't write a good letter for you, in which case you'd need a new option. But, he might be able to, as long as you set everything up well.

[mathnerd27]

I would definitely steer clear of the grad student option. A letter from a professor will comes across with more authority.

[stresshair]

Thanks for the responses!

 

I was pretty sure it wasn't a good idea, I guess I just needed to hear it from other people! 

 

Is it a non-issue that the third prof will be from a different subject (albeit still in the sciences)? I will try to get in contact with him soon.

[frundelson2]

Hi stresshair,

 

Best of luck with your applications! It sounds like you have two excellent writers on your behalf so far. You are on the right track.

 

I would definitely echo others here stating that it would likely not be in your best interest to go with the graduate student as a third writer. It sounds crazy but with applications, the rank / title of whoever is writing makes a big difference, even if they might know you slightly less. So getting a third tenured professor to write on your behalf would be the way to go. As Monocrhome Spring noted, I would ask this professor frankly whether he can write a strong letter for you. Usually professors will be up front about this. You can also give him a current copy of your C.V. / resume. Be sure to note your research and any particular accomplishments that make you stand out as a student. It is again odd but so much of the application process is presenting yourself in a certain way. Don't be shy about touting some of your strengths, albeit humbly. 

 

Finally, I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask someone outside of your subject but still within the sciences. In fact, this could be an asset in your overall application, as it shows you are not just a linear student but can succeed in multiple disciplines.

 

Best of luck to you!

[GeoDUDE!]

I'm going to go against the curve on this one; I think, as long as your other two letters of recommendation are from professors and are also strong, the graduate student's recommendation is a good idea. For those of you who do not work in labs, this may come as a surprise, but I actually read over the applications that my current advisor is considering accepting, and he takes my opinion on them very seriously (as well as the other people in my lab). Graduate students know what it takes to succeed in graduate school. By this time, she probably has a few publications on her belt as generally PhD programs have a publishing requirement before you defend your thesis. This is especially a good idea if you think this particular research lab is known to others in your field- Remember, a lot of students brown nose to professors, but not many students have the opportunity to get another, senior graduate student to vouch for them. This graduate student is closer to someone you would work under, and can vouch for your ability to work in a larger lab as well as how much you have done. Graduate students, may have less authority, and may have less experience, but they still are great judges of research potential and thats the most important thing.

Edited August 10, 2013 by GeoDUDE!