Should I ask this person for LOR?

[xyzpsych]

Dear Gradcafers,

Would like your insight. I'm applying this year for fall 2017 admission. I would like to ask for LOR from a professor with whom I'm conducting research. He is the PI of the project and I'm Co-PI. However I assume I'll be first author of the article if it gets published. Because I live far away from him, our communication is via email and mostly relayed by one of his assistants. Therefore he probably won't think that he knows me well as a person, but he knows my research interests, my work ethics, etc.

The tricky part is that he is one of the professors that I'm applying to work with. We actually met the first time when I applied to PhD programs, which had unsuccessful results. We met when I went on campus for interview. Later I decided to do a project with him to increase my research experience.

I was wondering your thoughts on me asking for a LOR from him? I'm not too worried about him not knowing me well enough in person because I assume he'll just reject my request in this case. My concern is this would come across as inappropriate request because he would know the other programs that I'm applying to (although I'm applying to professors all with similar interests). He is a rising researcher with growing reputation so I would like to give it a try. Could someone share your thoughts?

PS, I did my master's in the US but I'm from another country. So less familiar about certain cultures and unspoken rules in American academia! Thank you in advance!

Edited March 27, 2016 by xyzpsych

[ExponentialDecay]

Are y'all still PIs if this is not a lab situation tho?

Of course you should ask him for a LOR. Why would it be inappropriate for him to know what other programs you're applying to? He could give you advice on that, even.

[Citizen of Night Vale]

I don't think there's anything wrong with you asking him for LOR. You worked with him on a project and he could speak about your knowledge base and research experiences. He doesn't need to know overall how you are as a person, but how you are in relation to the field you're interested in. As your LOR, he would of course understand why you would be applying to other programs. You can't just put all your eggs in one basket. 

[sjoh197]

On 3/27/2016 at 5:04 AM, xyzpsych said:

Dear Gradcafers,

Would like your insight. I'm applying this year for fall 2017 admission. I would like to ask for LOR from a professor with whom I'm conducting research. He is the PI of the project and I'm Co-PI. However I assume I'll be first author of the article if it gets published. Because I live far away from him, our communication is via email and mostly relayed by one of his assistants. Therefore he probably won't think that he knows me well as a person, but he knows my research interests, my work ethics, etc.

The tricky part is that he is one of the professors that I'm applying to work with. We actually met the first time when I applied to PhD programs, which had unsuccessful results. We met when I went on campus for interview. Later I decided to do a project with him to increase my research experience.

I was wondering your thoughts on me asking for a LOR from him? I'm not too worried about him not knowing me well enough in person because I assume he'll just reject my request in this case. My concern is this would come across as inappropriate request because he would know the other programs that I'm applying to (although I'm applying to professors all with similar interests). He is a rising researcher with growing reputation so I would like to give it a try. Could someone share your thoughts?

PS, I did my master's in the US but I'm from another country. So less familiar about certain cultures and unspoken rules in American academia! Thank you in advance!

I contemplated applying to work with one of the professors at my undergrad institution, and talked with him about it. After some family deliberation, my partner and I decided to leave that particular city, and I ended up applying elsewhere. 

He was still more than happy to write me a glowing LOR. Your PI should be more that understanding that there are lots of options, and he may be able to help guide you in the right direction. 

[Lisa_McCoy]

I don't think there is anything inappropriate about asking LOR from this professor. Since you mentioned that his reputation is rising, it can do a great deal of good for you if you get him to write LOR. 

[xyzpsych]

On 4/8/2016 at 2:19 AM, sjoh197 said:

I contemplated applying to work with one of the professors at my undergrad institution, and talked with him about it. After some family deliberation, my partner and I decided to leave that particular city, and I ended up applying elsewhere. 

He was still more than happy to write me a glowing LOR. Your PI should be more that understanding that there are lots of options, and he may be able to help guide you in the right direction. 

Haven't checked in in a while. Thanks!

[xyzpsych]

On 4/13/2016 at 3:36 PM, Lisa_McCoy said:

I don't think there is anything inappropriate about asking LOR from this professor. Since you mentioned that his reputation is rising, it can do a great deal of good for you if you get him to write LOR. 

Yes I will. Thank you!