To supplement or not to supplement..!

[bordercoffee]

Hello! I would really, really appreciate everyone's advice on two things: whether or not I ought to submit a certain supplemental material, and who I should choose for my letters of rec. I apologize if the title was misleading.

 

First, a quick overview of myself: 

• Applying for a social science PhD; master's thesis was written to develop my research question and set the stage for further research
• 3.93 graduate school GPA, thesis grade: A, 3.6 undergraduate cumulative GPA (higher major GPA.. I need to check this)
• GRE: 167 Verbal, 165 Quant, essay grade TBD
• Experience interning/working in relevant UN arms
• Volunteered for a year in a developing country, specifically in an area that is experiencing the phenomenon that I want to study
• Currently working as a policy/research analyst in the field
• 1 publication and 1 poster presentation in relevant fields (both of which I am the primary author)
• I am in my mid-20s (not sure if age matters)

My first question is in regards to the "supplemental materials" section that most applications have. I am wondering if it would be beneficial to submit a letter written by the founder of the NGO I am proposing to work with for my PhD dissertation. I would not be asking for an evaluation of my character/academic capability (which is why I have not chosen her as a letter of recommendation); rather, I'd be asking her to validate my proposal (i.e. if it's a reflection a reality) and its need 'on the ground level.' My worry is that it may come off as if I have pigeon-holed myself into this project. However, many other competitive academic programs (e.g. Fulbright) ask for similar letters; additionally, this founder has an honors degree from one of the schools I am interested in applying to, and has been recognized for her work as an alumni as well.

 

The second question I have is in regards to choosing appropriate letters of recommendations. Most of the schools I am applying to require 3 letters. I have two+ strong faculty recommendations. I am undecided on the third. Option A is to have the founder of the aforementioned volunteering organization to write me a character reference. He was formerly a dean of one of the schools I am applying to. Option B is to ask my UN supervisor for a letter. This letter would be a better balance of character/research skill evaluation. Option C is to submit both (IF it is a school that allows for a fourth letter). Option D would be to scratch both and opt for a third faculty recommendation.

 

I apologize for this long post. Thanks for bearing with me and taking the time to read it!! I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

[lyrehc]

What social science? I'm in an excellent (and underrated) program with strong faculty emphasis in political and intercultural/interethnic/international communication which you might find interesting based on what you've written. 

 

I would not have a letter that evaluates your proposal for exactly the reason you mentioned: It pigeonholes you. It is one thing to have a clear idea about where your interests fall and it is another thing to come in determined to do one specific thing. I wanted to research the same thing for 14 years and last year in my program my interests shifted. The graduate liaison told me that this is what programs want, because shifting interests demonstrate being open-minded. A letter discussing your project shows a determination to do what you want, and while you very well may do that project the departments you apply to want to know that you are willing to learn from them. By all means, weed out programs which are light-years away from your interests, but wait for the "this project is valuable" argument until you're in a program and working with faculty to articulate why one research emphasis is better than another.

 

Based on your description I would go with Option B for a letter writer because you do have two strong faculty recommendations. Or I would go with Option E and have the UN supervisor letter and an additional faculty letter. 

[bordercoffee]

What social science? I'm in an excellent (and underrated) program with strong faculty emphasis in political and intercultural/interethnic/international communication which you might find interesting based on what you've written. 

 

I would not have a letter that evaluates your proposal for exactly the reason you mentioned: It pigeonholes you. It is one thing to have a clear idea about where your interests fall and it is another thing to come in determined to do one specific thing. I wanted to research the same thing for 14 years and last year in my program my interests shifted. The graduate liaison told me that this is what programs want, because shifting interests demonstrate being open-minded. A letter discussing your project shows a determination to do what you want, and while you very well may do that project the departments you apply to want to know that you are willing to learn from them. By all means, weed out programs which are light-years away from your interests, but wait for the "this project is valuable" argument until you're in a program and working with faculty to articulate why one research emphasis is better than another.

 

Based on your description I would go with Option B for a letter writer because you do have two strong faculty recommendations. Or I would go with Option E and have the UN supervisor letter and an additional faculty letter. 

 

Lyrehc, thank you for your reply! I appreciate your thoughts on the supplemental material. I'll shoot you a pm regarding the specifics of what I'm interested in.