LOR from a PHD vs Masters grad level professor

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slarveson

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My situation with LOR are that i have the option for one of them as coming from a physics teacher who only has a masters degree or an ochem professor that has her PHD. Obviously, the PHD would be better given just the choice of the two but the problem is that, although the ochem professor will write me a LOR, she didn't know me as well as the physics teacher and her letter would probably be very basic. However, i know the physics teacher very well and he would write me an awesome letter...so which would be better? All other LOR that i will get will be from PHD professors so one that only has a masters would be better given that it would be a much more quality letter right?
 
My situation with LOR are that i have the option for one of them as coming from a physics teacher who only has a masters degree or an ochem professor that has her PHD. Obviously, the PHD would be better given just the choice of the two but the problem is that, although the ochem professor will write me a LOR, she didn't know me as well as the physics teacher and her letter would probably be very basic. However, i know the physics teacher very well and he would write me an awesome letter...so which would be better? All other LOR that i will get will be from PHD professors so one that only has a masters would be better given that it would be a much more quality letter right?

Can't you get letters from both of them?
 
Why do the qualifications of the letter writer matter in this case? Go with whomever will write you the better letter.
 
Like Kevin said it, it's better to get a letter from the person who knows you well. Unless the categories are non-science vs. science or you need a physicians letter, it doesn't really matter if the person has a masters vs. a pHD.
 
oh ok great...i didn't know if it was a big deal or not so i'll gladly get the letter from the one with the masters. I don't need one from both because already have another from a PHD and i think you only need two (most the time) from the science department right?
 
oh ok great...i didn't know if it was a big deal or not so i'll gladly get the letter from the one with the masters. I don't need one from both because already have another from a PHD and i think you only need two (most the time) from the science department right?

If the two letters were going to be equivalent I would say the PhD professor would be preferable because they may be perceived to have a greater understanding of the rigors of attaing a professional degree/doctorate. However, in your case I would definitely have your physics professor write it.

To cover all of your bases it is generally best to have 2 science letters (Bio/Chem/Physics), 1 Humanities letter and one physician letter. Other prefered letters would be from research advisors, the dean (PCOM only), volunteer supervisors, etc.
 
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