Might not have enough letters of recommendation!

[lemma]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm a current junior who's hoping to apply for PhD programs next year. Some aspect of my application are fine: I have strong grades in a very difficult and well regarded undergraduate program, I'll graduate with six semesters and two summers of research, I've been president of relevant undergraduate organizations (not that it matters that much), I've gotten a range of fellowships and I've attended summer schools relevant to my field. I should also graduate with at least one (first or second author) publication in my intended graduate field (if it gets accepted somewhere). 

 

However, I'm going to struggle to get three relevant and strong letters of recommendation. My current research supervisor will give one, as will a professor I had for a difficult course. But I have absolutely no idea how I'm going to get the third. I really don't know if any of my former research professors will write a strong letter. I did good work the summer after my freshman year, but I've heard that the professor I worked with doesn't write great letters of recommendation, to the point where people get letters from other professors affiliated with the group. The summer after my sophomore year, the professor in the lab was overseas the whole time and barely ever spoke to me, so I worked mostly with PhD students (can't really get a letter of recommendation from them). I also did research last year, but I was working with a very demanding professor doing work that wasn't suited to my skills. I wasn't great at it to say the least, and I'm not sure if he'd be willing to write a strong letter of recommendation. 

 

I'm not sure what to do at this stage. I know I have time before I need to finalize this but I'm starting to get quite worried. I could easily ask non-research professors to write me letters, but after four research experiences I think that would look really bad. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would it be advisable to pick up an additional research project so I can work with another professor? I'd rather concentrate on my current research but I'd hate to throw away so much because I just can't get relevant letters of recommendation. 

[bsharpe269]

One idea would be to see if the PhD students will write a letter and have the professor sign it with them. I dont think this is too uncommon.

 

Alternatively, I would just get another professor to write one. Preferably one who you have at leat spoken with about reserach outside of class so he can comment on your committment to it.