Is it better to have at least one recommender from my department?

[gentle_dove]

Hi all, thank you for clicking this topic. I'm applying for Sociology PhD for 2015 fall. I've decided two LoRs, but neither of them are from the faculty in the Sociology Department of my home university (both of them are in other universities in other countries). I'm now confused about choosing the third recommender..

 

I have three options:

 

(1) A political science associate professor in my home university. I was ranked 1st in his course that I took last semester, and I'm taking his another course now. The courses are not related to my research interest, and the grade was evaluated by exams, not research essays. I am quite active in the classes, but we have no interactions beyond class. The prof. is willing to give a strong recommendation.

 

(2) A sociology associate professor in my home university. I took two courses that he taught and got A in both of them. Both of them were evaluated by research essays. But they were also not related to my research interest. I have almost no interactions with the prof., and he barely remembers me. But he's also willing to give a strong recommendation.

 

(3) A sociology researcher in a government research institute, not in my country. He specializes exactly in the area that I'm interested in. I consulted him for advice when I was doing my own independent research project. We had two face-to-face discussions, each for about 2 hours, and two rounds of email discussions. He's quite familiar with my research. But I don't know how he thinks about my ability, and haven't asked whether he's willing to write the letter.

 

I think the third person may know better about my research, but I'm afraid it would be strange if all of my recommenders are in foreign institutions. Do you think my interactions with the third researcher are enough for him to be willing to give a LoR? And if yes, would it be a wise choice to use this one?

 

Thanks soooooooo much!!

[Vene]

Number three barely knows you, so I'd avoid asking him. Number two isn't bad, but even if he gives a strong letter it sounds like it will be fairly generic. Number one sounds like the best option to me.

 

With you other two LOR writers how do you know them? If you have a couple already talking about your research abilities having one talk about your classroom abilities isn't bad. Also, with said polisci professor did you take advanced level courses with him? Are the classes pertinent to your major (even if not directly related to your research interest)? If the answers to these are yes I see no reason not to ask. If they're no, get the letter from professor two.

[gentle_dove]

Number three barely knows you, so I'd avoid asking him. Number two isn't bad, but even if he gives a strong letter it sounds like it will be fairly generic. Number one sounds like the best option to me.

 

With you other two LOR writers how do you know them? If you have a couple already talking about your research abilities having one talk about your classroom abilities isn't bad. Also, with said polisci professor did you take advanced level courses with him? Are the classes pertinent to your major (even if not directly related to your research interest)? If the answers to these are yes I see no reason not to ask. If they're no, get the letter from professor two.

 

Thank you! Your analysis makes sense very well. I'm pretty confident about the other two LoRs: One is from a professor who I did research with. We're going to collaborate on a paper soon. The other is an assistant prof. in the university where I went as an exchange student. I did a great job in his advanced level seminar course. I think you're right - if these two letters are enough to demonstrate my research ability, it's not bad to have a third letter that shows my classroom behavior in my home university.