LOR from a TA?

[tpwelie34]

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Hi guys, I currently am in a position where I am able to ask my Neuroscience TA for a letter of rec. She told me that she is currently a PhD candidate. I am wondering if this would be looked down upon by the adcoms. Would it be weaker than one from a professor? If so, how much weaker? I currently already have 3 letters of rec (1 ochem proff, 1 dentist, 1 bio research proff) so I am not in a position where I really need to scrounge up some more LORs but I figured it would help.

 

[YoHomey]

I would avoid TAs. Some schools won't allow recs from them at all in much the same way a lot of schools won't allow a rec from a lab course. You may want to check with all your target schools on their policy.

 

[dmdluffy]

I knew someone who got a letter written by a TA who was wrapping up her PhD and that person got in. I think you'll have to evaluate whether you think the TA will write you a strong enough letter that it justifies not going with a professor who would potentially write a weaker letter.

 

[Sisero68]

OP,

One of my letters came from a PHD candidate that taught my summer chem class. I got to know him very well and we still meet up a few times a semester. While i feel having a LOR from someone who really knows you is vital, i also made sure to have the required LOR from other professors in case any school did not accept it as one of their required LOR.

 

[doc toothache]

Hi guys, I currently am in a position where I am able to ask my Neuroscience TA for a letter of rec. She told me that she is currently a PhD candidate. I am wondering if this would be looked down upon by the adcoms. Would it be weaker than one from a professor? If so, how much weaker? I currently already have 3 letters of rec (1 ochem proff, 1 dentist, 1 bio research proff) so I am not in a position where I really need to scrounge up some more LORs but I figured it would help.

You really don't know the answer to your question?