Letters of recommendation questions

[mikil100]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all.

I just finished Organic Chemistry II, including its lab. The lab TA whom I worked with closely offered to write me a letter, I wasn't expecting this, and I wasn't going to ask for one as I already have 5 letters., but now I am starting to think it may be a good idea. One of my letter writers didn't know me as well as I would have liked, and this may serve as a good replacement.

This is my predicament, I know a letter alone from a TA is sort of frowned upon, so I've asked my Organic Chemistry teacher to co sign the letter. I'm sure he won't mind and is a very kind person. However, how will this be viewed upon by admissions? Does anyone have experience with this? The actual teacher himself does not know me well and will be basing his signature off her. (Note this TA and professor don't work together in any capacity and it's likely they've never met, in my school the labs are completely disconnected from the lecture).

Second question:
I took a Spanish class to fill a general education requirement, I wasn't expecting to do so well, especially as I was studying for the MCAT etc, so I opted to pass fail the class (I had one optional P/F left and the rest of my classes are hard sciences, not going to P/F one of those). By "not do so well" I mean B+/A-.. which would harm my GPA. In any case, the professor got to know me very well and from what I can tell adores me. She was very eager to write me a LOR. I am expecting my grade will end up on the high end of an A-, so from her perspective I did well in the class. My only concern is how admissions will view a LOR from a professor who taught a class I took as P/F. She would be full-filling my humanities/nonscience LOR.

 

[Lawpy]

1. A letter from a lab TA is weak even when cosigned by the main professor because there's nothing special or significant about the TA to begin with (who the writer is). Even worse, the TA and prof don't even interact at all. I recommend discarding the letter.

2. Grades in class don't matter. As long as your Spanish professor can vouch for you effectively to provide a strong letter, you are good to go.

 

[mikil100]

1. A letter from a lab TA is weak even when cosigned by the main professor because there's nothing special or significant about the TA to begin with (who the writer is). Even worse, the TA and prof don't even interact at all. I recommend discarding the letter.

2. Grades in class don't matter. As long as your Spanish professor can vouch for you effectively to provide a strong letter, you are good to go.

Even if the actual content of the letter is stronger than other possible letters? This was my main concern. Thank you for the input

 

[Goro]

I'll view this more favorably than one signed by a TA alone.

This is my predicament, I know a letter alone from a TA is sort of frowned upon, so I've asked my Organic Chemistry teacher to co sign the letter. I'm sure he won't mind and is a very kind person. However, how will this be viewed upon by admissions? Does anyone have experience with this? The actual teacher himself does not know me well and will be basing his signature off her. (Note this TA and professor don't work together in any capacity and it's likely they've never met, in my school the labs are completely disconnected from the lecture).

 

[Lawpy]

Even if the actual content of the letter is stronger than other possible letters? This was my main concern. Thank you for the input

A TA can't vouch for you better than professors. It's similar to getting an LOR from a graduate student. The scope and authority on what they can say is restricted. And the cosigning professor who doesnt even interact with the TA isn't exactly a good thing

 

[nRomaleos]

A TA can't vouch for you better than professors. It's similar to getting an LOR from a graduate student. The scope and authority on what they can say is restricted. And the cosigning professor who doesnt even interact with the TA isn't exactly a good thing

If the person had no other letters, I'd think your position is a bit strong. A co-sign is very common, especially at large universities.

 

[Lawpy]

If the person had no other letters, I'd think your position is a bit strong. A co-sign is very common, especially at large universities.

Again, a cosigning professor is great as long as the prof had some interaction with the TA. From what it seems, there is no interaction at all, so i'm skeptical.