Asking a professor at the "applied to" school for help...

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Context:

This summer, we had a visiting professor from one of my "Top 3" Ph.D. program choices teach a 5-day intensive course. I took it for credit and did rather well. One day, during lunch, I asked her about the school and the end of the conversation was "Either I or Professor X would be happy to work with you on ."

Issue:

After a bit of refinement, the summer prof is going to be less ideal than the other prof. Since I only had her for 5 days, I'm not sure I should ask her for a reference. That's not to say she couldn't write a strong one, but because I'm not able to follow up with her easily and she doesn't have semester-long experience with me, I think it might be better to ask her for some kind of help. The thing is, I have no idea what kind of help would be appropriate. Write a "letter of support" or some such? Keep an eye out for my app? Speak with the other prof (which whom I'll be meeting in a few weeks)? What are some ideas? I'd hate to let a resource at the school I'm looking to get into go to waste.

[socialcomm]

I agree the letter might not be ideal, if you have other profs who've known you longer and can speak about your research, experiences etc... I think the keeping an eye on your app and talking to other profs might be more appropriate. Perhaps she'd read your SOP? Good luck!

[rainy_day]

Okay, I wrote a longer reply, but it disappeared into the internets.

I think you should just pick up communication with her. Write an email, remind her of how she knows you, say hello and ask how her research is going, tell her that you are excited to apply to her program, excited about working with her and with the other person, etc.

See what she writes back. Maybe she will introduce you, by way of email, to this other professor. Maybe she is on the adcom! Maybe she will have advice for you. etc.

I think asking for a letter would not be the best use of this asset, for the reasons you point out.

[fuzzylogician]

I think you should just pick up communication with her. Write an email, remind her of how she knows you, say hello and ask how her research is going, tell her that you are excited to apply to her program, excited about working with her and with the other person, etc.

See what she writes back. Maybe she will introduce you, by way of email, to this other professor. Maybe she is on the adcom! Maybe she will have advice for you. etc.

I think asking for a letter would not be the best use of this asset, for the reasons you point out.

This.

Also, mention in your SOP that you've studied with this professor and have stayed in touch with her since. If you make contact with the other professor, mention that too.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Thanks for the comments. Excellent points everyone.