Advice on Letters of Rec and Contacting POIs

[psych for path]

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Hi all,

I know this is out here already, but I am looking for some updated answers about the following:

1. Letters of Rec: Many schools allow only 3 letters, and I am struggling with who I should have write them. My boss at my current paid 2 yr RA job in a lab is a definite (Ph.D in clinical, can speak to my research experience, etc). Then, I have three more people to choose from, and I don't know who to boot...

1. Social psych prof @ undergrad - took two classes with him, and worked for him. He knows me quite well and I know would write a solid letter for me. Can definitely speak to my writing/critical thinking abilities, my work-with-other capabilities, etc.
2. Abnormal psych prof @ undergrad - only took one class with (A+) and worked in his lab for a brief time, recommended me for my present job, knows me fairly well, already agreed to write letters, very nice and I'm sure would write a very solid letter.
3. Dean @ undergrad- this is the tricky one. He is a PhD in clinical, but the only capacity I know him in really is that he mentored me all of undergrad- never worked for him, never took a class with him. BUT, he is my biggest fan and his letters have always been and will be glowing. Feels I have enormous potential to get my PhD and succeed, etc...

Who do I choose? Cast your votes!!!

2. Contacting POIs @ PSYDS: I know the deal with PhDs- I'm a match, I like your research, are you taking students? etc etc. My only question there is how to proceed when the school specifically lists faculty who will be taking students (Suffolk, for example)? What is my "reason" for contacting them then other than the obvious hi I want to be on your radar?!

However, with some of the PsyDs (applying to Rutgers, etc.) I am less sure how to navigate this. I can't really ask them if they're taking students, since they don't work on the mentor model at all. There are some people who I know I would be dying to work with, but it seems pushy to just email with the hopes of speaking to them about their work!

So, what do you all think???

 

[wigflip]

This thread died a quick death, but might be of some help re: PsyD question:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=942530

 

[paramour]

My vote is to request that all four write them. You may have someone back out or "forget" at the last minute. (It happens!) If it does, you still have three in the end.

Now, if you end up with all four, great! Then, you're left with the predicament of who to send. Then what? For those who specify "at least three" letters, then you could send all four. For those who request "only" three, then I would personally nix the dean's letter due to a lack of any "real" work (no research, no clinical work, no coursework). I might even nix it regardless unless you need one in a crunch because one of the others falls through at the nth hour.

If you have any "extra" letters left over in the end, offer to return them to the person. Tell them that you had some remaining that you no longer needed and you wanted to make sure that they were returned to them (so they do not think you were asking for extras to open up & read yourself). My prof actually thanked me for the gesture, but told me it wasn't a problem and told me to keep it if I wanted it. (And I'm not suggesting most profs will think it's an issue, but it's nice to cover your arse. 👍)

 

[Doctor Eliza]

One thing that I was suprised about was how helpful it can be to have a "big shot" write your letter (as long as s/he knows you enough to really write the letter). One of my letter writers is a particualrly big name in developmental psych research. Professors at more than one school said something along the lines of, "Wow, you worked with Dr. X? He is amazing." His letter carried weight because programs knew that I was exposed to high quality research and this well-respected social scientist thought I would make a good Ph.D.

So, if one of the options is well known (or well connected) I think that is something to consider.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[PsychPhDone]

Some programs will allow you to submit 4 -- check. Also, ask your letter writers if they happen to know anyone at the programs to which you are applying. If they are, prioritize sending their letters for those programs.