Good letter from alumnus vs better letters from non-alumni

[mill8955]

Hello all,

 

I am applying to an MS in Economics program at a school where one of my professors did both his masters and phd. I've gotten A's in all his classes and I worked as a TA for him for one school year, but there are several other professors in my department that I've worked with a lot more (lots of TA work and some research) that would probably be able to write more personal letters of recommendation. Do you think it's better to submit a good letter from someone who attended the school or a better letter from someone who didn't?

 

He graduated recently enough that most of his professors (including his major professor) are still there.

 

Thanks

[spiny22]

The trouble with alumni is that while you may assume that everyone at the program loves them, this may not be the case. I wouldn't let this stop you from asking him for a letter if you thought he would write the best one, but if other professors will write you better letters, go with them. As long as they're all professors with decent publishing histories (or otherwise reasonably present in the field) go with who knows you the best and can speak most highly of you. If someone can speak very highly of you this outweighs all other factors.