LOR Writer/Ad Comm Conflict

[Zamis]

Two of my UG professors wrote LORs for this round of apps. I have been keeping them updated when potential advisors get in touch or pass on good news about the app process. I was just admitted to one of my top choices. However, I believe my LOR writers sit on (or at least have some say in) the ad comm at my alma mater, to which I also applied. So, do I tell them I got into this program? I honestly don't know which program I would choose (if I'm fortunate enough to have options) -- "one of my top choices" or my alma mater.

I haven't informed other potential advisors about the acceptance. My LOR writers would be my advisors if I got into my alma mater. What do you suggest I do?

Thanks, y'all.

[Sparky]

Heh. I am an MA student applying for Ph.Ds, including continuing in the same program. And naturally, two of my LOR writers are on the admissions committee at my school this year. So I feel your pain. In addition, it's pretty obvious from my list that Current School is not my top choice (I am applying to 2 programs that are snowball's chance in hell for even the ideal applicant...so, yeah).

I don't have any results yet, but I don't plan on telling anyone at my school--anyone--any news until I have the admissions decision from Current School as well.

P.S. A random note, career-wise: if you are looking at a career in academia, colleges are sometimes leery of job candidates whose undergrad and Ph.Ds are from the same university. Something about preferring a 'diversity of experiences' or some such.

[JennyFieldsOriginal]

they're not going to be offended in the slightest if you take another offer rather than your alma mater (if they care about you and your academic future, which i'm sure they do since they wrote you letters of rec). if you trusted them enough to have them write you a letter (which you may have waived your right to see), i think you can trust them with this information.

just fyi, i'm in the exact same position and i am letting my LOR writers know pretty much everything about acceptances because i know they would never compromise me in any way.

if they wrote a letter for you, chances are they are at least somewhat fond of you. phd programs on one level are job training for an academic career. i don't think they would ever begrudge you your success in a different program.

you can keep your connections at your undergrad university and move on to something different (maybe even bigger and better!) in grad school.

i wouldn't be worried too much. and congrats on getting your top choice offer! that's really wonderful.

[Zamis]

they're not going to be offended in the slightest if you take another offer rather than your alma mater (if they care about you and your academic future, which i'm sure they do since they wrote you letters of rec). if you trusted them enough to have them write you a letter (which you may have waived your right to see), i think you can trust them with this information.

Thanks so much for your input. I was less concerned about offending them, more concerned about the faux pas of contacting potential advisors right in the middle of ad comm season (especially when I haven't heard from them in a month). I knew them very well before I left; this double relationship thingy feels strange now. I do think I will let them know -- it only seems fair, considering they've been writing letters for me since I was a wee babe sophomore year. :0)

Regarding the letter waiving, I was pretty clueless at the beginning of the app season and chose not to waive my rights. Ugh. I have no intention of reading them, I simply balked at the idea. I mean, they're my rights! If I could only go back...

[Zamis]

Heh. I am an MA student applying for Ph.Ds, including continuing in the same program. And naturally, two of my LOR writers are on the admissions committee at my school this year. So I feel your pain. In addition, it's pretty obvious from my list that Current School is not my top choice (I am applying to 2 programs that are snowball's chance in hell for even the ideal applicant...so, yeah).

I don't have any results yet, but I don't plan on telling anyone at my school--anyone--any news until I have the admissions decision from Current School as well.

P.S. A random note, career-wise: if you are looking at a career in academia, colleges are sometimes leery of job candidates whose undergrad and Ph.Ds are from the same university. Something about preferring a 'diversity of experiences' or some such.

Thanks for the empathy. I'm sure your pain will diminish once the happy news comes pouring in!

I felt like I couldn't not apply to my alma mater, since my thesis advisor/LOR writer basically told me to. It's a long shot, but it's also a fantastic program. They tend not to accept their own undergraduates anyway, so I think of it more as a wink to my mentors. A very expensive, time consuming, nerve wracking wink.

[rising_star]

If you're not a current student, I see no reason why you would update them on the status of your applications before all the accept/reject/waitlist decisions are in. I was in a similar situation while finishing my MA in that I applied to the same school for the PhD and all three LOR writers were on my thesis committee and two of those on the adcom. Luckily, my MA advisor wasn't on the adcom so I emailed or called her each time I got a decision. And, because profs talk, my MA advisor told me that another prof who wrote me letters had heard from his friend (who was on sabbatical at the time, btw) that I would be hearing good news from that program shortly and to let me know. And this other prof through whom the admissions info came was on the adcom.

What I'm saying is that whether you tell them or not it probably doesn't matter because they're going to find out eventually and they already know you applied to other programs too.

[TMP]

Like Sparky, I don't plan on telling anyone of my acceptances until I hear from my current school. I'm pretty sure that my MA advisor isn't on the committee as she's on sabbatical this year (totally sucks!). But I do plan to let my LOR writers know of any wait-lists or rejections in hopes that they might be able to make a call or something.

If you have very close friendship with one or both, just tell them. Professors who write letters and support your endeavors will care about your success and want you to be happy. And honestly, if you'd rather go to your top choice, just tell the LOR writers anyway! If they sort knew beforehand that this school is one of your tops, they'll be very excited for you!