The famous professor? Or the one I worked with?

[wetheplants]

Hey guys,

I'm applying to Masters programs in English right now, looking into Medieval/Renn studies. Hoping to focus on drama.
Short List (in flux) is Cambridge, Oxford, St. Andrews, Yale, Columbia, UPenn?

So I have three references:

1. Medievalist I worked with. Really liked me, did one real class and did an independent study in Old English with me. He'll write something awesome.
2. Department chair of Theater department, my minor. He basically recruited me into the department and I was his research assistant for three semesters, got promoted and worked as a collaborator with faculty... got paid too! He loves me andwill write something wonderful.
3. Jenny Boylan, my fiction prof. She's the Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of GLAAD, NYT Bestselling author, keeps getting articles published in NYT. She's pretty famous. I took like four classes with her which is basically unheard of and did my senior thesis/creative project with her as my editor. She really likes me and I'm sure would write something brilliant.

So who do I go with? 
The UK departments only want two recs. Do I go with the medievalist since that's actually more relevant to the program I'm applying for? Does anyone know what kind of thing UK or other top tier programs favor? Would I be better off with a famous rec orsomething related to my department? Or someone who's done a ton of independent work with me and can  say I'm a brilliant research assistant?

Thank you!!!

[iphi]

Well first of all they may only require two recs, but might accept extra. If really are limited and you suspect that all will write equally brilliants recs, then go with the one who has more contacts where you are applying. Still, if you think the non-famous one knows you better and will write a more personalized rec, then I would go with him (or her).

Edited October 22, 2014 by iphi

[Applemiu]

Check if they take three recs. Otherwise I would go with the medievalist.

[wetheplants]

Well first of all they may only require two recs, but might accept extra. If really are limited and you suspect that all will write equally brilliants recs, then go with the one who has more contacts where you are applying. Still, if you think the non-famous one knows you better and will write a more personalized rec, then I would go with him (or her).

Actually, of the three of them, the Theater chair definitely knows me best. The other two are kind of a toss-up, but I've spent a lot of time with both.

Thank you! I'll ask.

[Ankghost0912]

Will the reverse also hold true?

1. I have a professor from top  institutes from my country,has international repute worked with him for two months

2. Another has worked with me for the past 3 years as my teacher and research supervisor

 

Whom do you recommend?

[Applemiu]

Will the reverse also hold true?

1. I have a professor from top  institutes from my country,has international repute worked with him for two months

2. Another has worked with me for the past 3 years as my teacher and research supervisor

 

Whom do you recommend?

 

The second one.

[wetheplants]

Will the reverse also hold true?

1. I have a professor from top  institutes from my country,has international repute worked with him for two months

2. Another has worked with me for the past 3 years as my teacher and research supervisor

 

Whom do you recommend?

Unless you've done some really specific amazing things with the international guy and he can talk about those things specifically in a letter, I would go for the one who knows you better. 

Also, it's worth considering if Guy #1 knows anyone in the departments you're applying to, because that might be a real boon if he likes you. I personally don't think my profs would be offended if I asked them about that, but I have no idea how that works with other people.