Third LoR from MSc School

[hippyscientist]

I have two incredibly strong LoRs - my undergrad thesis supervisor (who is also the lead on a project I've been Research Assistant for and is getting a lot of media attention - the project that is) and the guy I took most of my final year undergrad courses with (with whom I'm incredibly close, and who is also American, he knows my work really well and is pushing my thesis supervisor to publish it). My issue comes with the third.

The PhDs I'm applying to require a reference from the most recent institution attended - and for me that will be my 1-year MSc school. However, by the time application deadlines come around I will only have been there a month (deadlines are in November and I start last week in September), not have any grades and they won't know me as well as my undergrad course leaders. I've been in email contact with one of the professors there as he got his PhD from one of my top choice schools and we have similar research interests, so I've been trying to build the relationship. I'm worried this will be too weak a reference to really make my application "pop". I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments! 

[fuzzylogician]

I assume these are for schools that ask for three LORs. If so, I wouldn't worry. You'll have your two stellar LORs plus an ok one, and the ok one will be understandable given that you're required to submit it and by the nature of the program the writer will not have known you for very long. If a program only asks for two LORs, I'd seriously consider submitting the third as a supplementary one even if it's not asked for, unless there is some text explicitly saying not to submit any unsolicited documents. 

And in the meanwhile, I think it would be wise to reach out to whoever you think is going to be your best option for a LOR and straight up tell them you would like to get a letter from them for your planned PhD application in November, and ask what would be the best way for them to get to know you so they could write you the strongest possible letter (should they agree to write one, of course). Obviously this is better done in person if you are already there, but I wouldn't wait a month with the request, given the circumstances. If you're not there yet, you might ask for a Skype meeting and ask for a letter then.

[hippyscientist]

Thanks for the feedback fuzzylogician. I have already asked all my LOR writers if they would be happy to provide this, and all have been enthusiastic, although the professor in my MSc has suggested using someone from my undergrad - I'll explain the situation once I'm there. All my programmes require 3 references, and I personally would want one from my MSc as I think it looks a bit dodgy otherwise!!

 

Thanks for the reply