What type of recommender is better?

[blubb]

Is a letter from an unknown researcher that is personal even looked at by the PhD-adcom?

 

In other words, what recommender do you think is better:

 

A) Letter from an unknown researcher (PhD, "principal research scientist" at a research institute) who I have a very personal relationship with and have been working closely over the past two years by doing research with him.

 

B ) Letter from established researcher (professor at my undergraduate university, known in his specific field but peripherally related to my specific research interests.), Have taken classes from him but not done any research with him. So this would be a "did well in class"-letter I guess...

 

Thanks for quick replies, I'll have to decide quickly

Good luck with your applications!

Edited November 24, 2014 by blubb

[peachypie]

I would go with A.  You want someone that can speak well to your abilities and performance.  I am a bit confused however why you say personal as in...this has not been a professional working relationship? Based on the fact that you are doing research with them I am assuming it means your connection is via your research.  Maybe you could clarify that since I would never classify my relationships with my PIs and whatnot as personal. 

[blubb]

I would go with A.  You want someone that can speak well to your abilities and performance.  I am a bit confused however why you say personal as in...this has not been a professional working relationship? Based on the fact that you are doing research with them I am assuming it means your connection is via your research.  Maybe you could clarify that since I would never classify my relationships with my PIs and whatnot as personal. 

Thanks for your comment. Sorry I'm not a native as you might have noticed. I didn't mean personal as in "friendship" or similar, I meant we had a lot of discussions, meetings and worked on an intense project together. I'm not a friend with this recommender in my private time.^^

Edited November 24, 2014 by blubb

[silex7]

I would go with B , adcom usually would look for the level of the recommender and his academic strength

[lzs]

I would choose A.

[boomerang]

I would go with A. It is far more likely they will be able to discuss your strengths in more detail than B.

 

What are you other letter writers like? If you have already have letters coming from people that can write strongly to your research abilities, then option B might be a wise choice. Other choice A is the way to go.

[bsharpe269]

I agree that it might depend on your other letters. It would be helpful I have at least one established, known researcher. At the same time, a "he did well in my class" letter might not help much. If one of your other letter writers is at all well known then I would definitely go with A.