in a huge dilemma... LoR

[organicmodel]

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Hi. I posted a similar thread before, but things have changes and I'd like your opinion. I need 1 more sci lor and I have 2 options.

My options are:
1) sci prof from a bio prof where I got A (only 93% though). I am assuming I was in the top 10% in class. I went to his office hours probably around 7-10 times throughout the semester to ask questions about assignments/tests. He knows me by name but I don't think we got to know each other too well. If I ask this prof, I'm really not sure what he would write to be honest other than the academic portion of the course. This prof has a Ph. D and is one of the deans at our school.

2) science instructor where I took 2 lab courses with him. I didn't do well in the class >85% each... mostly because the final was extremely difficult. I also TAed for him as well for a full year. We had a chance to talk alot during that year. However, I haven't talked to him in 1 year. I have gotten a LoR from him about 1.5 years ago as well... BUT he DOES NOT have a Ph. D. I think only a bachelors.

So, given my circumstances, who would you ask for a LoR? Can you even ask for a LoR from a person without a Ph. D?? I am worried that #2 writer doesn't have a PhD or even masters (not too sure).

**I have been working with a prof for a few years and he has written me a great letter. hes a chem prof, and I'm still doing research with him. He hasn't taught me any courses YET, but he WILL be teaching at least 1 course in the fall term. Can I use this prof as a reference? Also, I took biochemistry last year and he also teaches that course... but when I took it, another prof taught the course. I am basically asking if I can use this prof as a sci-prof letter? I am asking because most schools require that the writer has taught the student in a course i believe.

 

[foofish]

Hi. I posted a similar thread before, but things have changes and I'd like your opinion. I need 1 more sci lor and I have 2 options.

My options are:
1) sci prof from a bio prof where I got A (only 93% though). I am assuming I was in the top 10% in class. I went to his office hours probably around 7-10 times throughout the semester to ask questions about assignments/tests. He knows me by name but I don't think we got to know each other too well. If I ask this prof, I'm really not sure what he would write to be honest other than the academic portion of the course. This prof has a Ph. D and is one of the deans at our school.

2) science instructor where I took 2 lab courses with him. I didn't do well in the class >85% each... mostly because the final was extremely difficult. I also TAed for him as well for a full year. We had a chance to talk alot during that year. However, I haven't talked to him in 1 year. I have gotten a LoR from him about 1.5 years ago as well... BUT he DOES NOT have a Ph. D. I think only a bachelors.

So, given my circumstances, who would you ask for a LoR? Can you even ask for a LoR from a person without a Ph. D?? I am worried that #2 writer doesn't have a PhD or even masters (not too sure).

**I have been working with a prof for a few years and he has written me a great letter. hes a chem prof, and I'm still doing research with him. He hasn't taught me any courses YET, but he WILL be teaching at least 1 course in the fall term. Can I use this prof as a reference? Also, I took biochemistry last year and he also teaches that course... but when I took it, another prof taught the course. Does this help at all?

In terms of options 1 or 2, it is a little tough. The letter from the first professor would be more impressive, if he can write you a good letter. The second writer makes me a little nervous in terms of background and that you didn't do that well in his classes, but I think that letter hinges more on what sort of relationship you have with the person...e.g. will he write that you're fantastic, and that your score was actually very competitive for his course? or will he write a same-old, same-old letter stating you did okay in his class? That's really more your call.

One thing worth considering is asking both. You can use the response from each to help try and figure out which letter to go with...e.g. one of my letters was from someone sort of in the situation of option 1 (did very well in his class, knew me well through office hours, but no research or other relationship). But he had me send him my CV and sat down with me in an informal interview to learn more about my background and talk about med school so he could use that in writing my LOR. That made me more confident that his would be a good letter.

You don't have to use all the letters you get, so if you ask and get a lukewarm response you can just not use that extra letter. Also, how does your school handle letters? If you have an advisor they all go to, they might be able to ambiguously guide you in terms of what letters to go with without telling you specifics about the contents.

I'm not sure quite what you meant by the last bit...do you mean to ask whether the chem letter can substitute for option 1 vs 2, or do you mean this is another science letter you're definitely going with? If this is someone you've worked with for years and have done research with, sounds like a good choice to me.

 

[organicmodel]

In terms of options 1 or 2, it is a little tough. The letter from the first professor would be more impressive, if he can write you a good letter. The second writer makes me a little nervous in terms of background and that you didn't do that well in his classes, but I think that letter hinges more on what sort of relationship you have with the person...e.g. will he write that you're fantastic, and that your score was actually very competitive for his course? or will he write a same-old, same-old letter stating you did okay in his class? That's really more your call.

One thing worth considering is asking both. You can use the response from each to help try and figure out which letter to go with...e.g. one of my letters was from someone sort of in the situation of option 1 (did very well in his class, knew me well through office hours, but no research or other relationship). But he had me send him my CV and sat down with me in an informal interview to learn more about my background and talk about med school so he could use that in writing my LOR. That made me more confident that his would be a good letter.

You don't have to use all the letters you get, so if you ask and get a lukewarm response you can just not use that extra letter. Also, how does your school handle letters? If you have an advisor they all go to, they might be able to ambiguously guide you in terms of what letters to go with without telling you specifics about the contents.

I'm not sure quite what you meant by the last bit...do you mean to ask whether the chem letter can substitute for option 1 vs 2, or do you mean this is another science letter you're definitely going with? If this is someone you've worked with for years and have done research with, sounds like a good choice to me.

Hi there, thanks for the response. I really appreciate it.

I meant to ask whether I can use the chem prof as my sci-prof LoR. Because this prof hasn't taught me a course, I'm not sure if I can use this letter to satisfy the science prof requirement.

Also, I wanted to ask you about the letter you got from the prof who didn't know you too well. Did he ask you for an interview, or did you ask the professor? How would I go about doing that? Thanks so much!

 

[organicmodel]

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

What is your reasoning behind choosing option 1? Is it because I received a higher grade? Unless if the prof asks me for a personal interview, I don't know if there will be much on character.... but who knows

 

[organicmodel]

bump!

 

[emsdan]

I would contact the schools you plan to apply to (maybe wait a week since they are probably dealing with heavy waitlist movements) and ask about their requirements. The third option is most likely your best one, and the schools will tell you if this will satisfy their requirement. My guess is it will.

Otherwise, I would go with the first. He should be able to tell you 1) if he is comfortable writing the letter and 2) if he can write you a solid letter. They do this all the time and know what quality they can provide for you.