Letter Writers

[Nastasya_Filippovna]

So just how important IS it for your letter writers to be illustrious names in the field of philosophy? I've heard both responses- yes, it heavily influences adcoms, and no, only the content of what they write counts. I have to guess that each committee is a tad different and the truth most often lies somewhere in the middle (unless, of course, you've worked side-by-side with Kripke and Dennett as who they describe as their protege). Is it truly, however, a strike against you to have unknown profs if they are writing outstanding letters? Just wanted to get some thoughts.

[fuzzylogician]

No. As you say, an amazingly strong letter from a super-famous professor is obviously great, but it's not the only kind of letter that will get you into grad school. Generally speaking, a letter from a better known professor is better than a letter from someone completely obscure because it's likelier that the adcom members know this person and trust his/her opinion. (This can also backfire is this prof has previously recommended unsuccessful students to that school, but lets assume that doesn't happen that often.) This is the same logic as the fact that coming from a better known school/department helps you more than being from an obscure school/department. That said, the content of the letter is the most important thing. You want letters from people who know you and your work well and can argue on your behalf that you will be a successful student--and future colleague--at the department you are applying to. This entails knowing details of your personality and work and being able to give specific examples to back up claims about you. Getting a vague letter from someone famous won't get you as far as getting a strong detailed letter from someone less famous. 

[Nastasya_Filippovna]

thank you, that's really encouraging news! I come from a small, unknown college, but I thankfully have a super strong rapport with all three of my letter writers. It's good to know that should help!

[overoverover]

I think it's probably true that having well-known professors write you letters is a good thing. But there are a lot of other factors in a good application, and it's definitely false that unknown letter-writers will sink your applications.

I wouldn't worry about the letters too much. They are the part of the application that you just can't control after you've selected the writers. I understand it's easy to stress about it all (that's why we're here!), but I wouldn't be too concerned.

[alopachuca]

Philosophy adcoms seem a bit mysterious about some of their criteria (including how renown your letter writers are). It's obvious that it shouldn't matter if your letter writers aren't that well known in the field. I suspect you don't need to be a renown name to have the ability of giving some honest words on why so-and-so applicant would fare well in a specific program (and well, isn't that the point of the letters anyway?)

 

I went to an undergrad that (I believe) has a top 10 program in the Leiter rankings this year. I don't feel like I have any sort of advantage just because some of my professors (and letter writers) are known in the field.

[philstudent1991]

Look. The ad comms sift through hundreds of applications. It is a brute fact of human psychology that a letter from Thomas Nagel is going to get someone's attention in a way that a letter form Joe Blow will not. If it's all the same, get letters from famous people, if your department has any. I'm sure this is obvious to you, though. It is clear that pedigree matters in admissions, and I think the glamour of big name letter writers is partially to blame for why acceptances to philosophy PhDs are so top heavy. But, it is by no means a lost cause if you have no famous letter writers, or if you have a famous person in your department that you didn't happen to work with. Get letters from the people that know your work, your work ethic, your personality, etc. That's what really matters. But believe me, I'm cynical. If your school has the word "State" in it, then you will be rejected (save maybe Ohio State, or of course Georgia State or Arizona State for the MA).