LORs

[twilson]

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I will be applying next Fall to clinical and perhaps a few developmental programs but I am worried thus far about getting LORs. I am currently doing research with a professor, I volunteer at a grief center and I MAY get an internship this summer. I was wondering if all LORs have to be from professors? Most of the classes here are taught by GTAs with the higher level courses taught professors, and I will not be getting into some of those until the Fall and the 2 higher level ones I am in are with the professor I am doing research with.I do not feel professors next semester will be able to speak on my ability for a month or two of classes.

I was wondering if all LORs have to be from professors?

 

[GoodyGood]

In my experience, most applications will ask for 3 letters, 2 of which must be from professors. Some programs might ask for 3 from professors, though, so you might want to examine ways to get a closer relationship with another prof at your school. I was in a similar situation this time last year, so I asked a prof at my school if I could do research with him over the summer as a volunteer RA. I was lucky enough that he had an opening and we ended up spending 8 hours a week together on his project, and I think that that is enough to write a stellar letter. Usually it is better to get more than simply classroom exposure to a LOR writer, so that her or his letter can be as developed and multidimensional as possible.


I hope that helps!

 

[twilson]

In my experience, most applications will ask for 3 letters, 2 of which must be from professors. Some programs might ask for 3 from professors, though, so you might want to examine ways to get a closer relationship with another prof at your school. I was in a similar situation this time last year, so I asked a prof at my school if I could do research with him over the summer as a volunteer RA. I was lucky enough that he had an opening and we ended up spending 8 hours a week together on his project, and I think that that is enough to write a stellar letter. Usually it is better to get more than simply classroom exposure to a LOR writer, so that her or his letter can be as developed and multidimensional as possible.


I hope that helps!

My problem is tthat i will probably be working in my one professor's lab during the summer,if I get the internship I will be doing classes and possibly traveling, I will be working full time, and probably continuing my volunteer duties. I do not want to not be able to put the work needed into another lab because I will be juggling so many other responsibilities. If I TAed in the Fall for a GTA I have been communicating with alot will they be able to tell their supervisor about me and perhaps get a letter from them? Or even if I could try to keep in contact with their supervisor?

I feel like I am spreading myself a bit thin as is, and I do not want to disappoint a professor if I can not work in their lab as much as they would like.

 

[cara susanna]

I actually got one of my LORs from a professor whom I'd only ever had in class (more than one class, though) and I got interviews. The other two were research people, though.

 

[GoodyGood]

My problem is tthat i will probably be working in my one professor's lab during the summer,if I get the internship I will be doing classes and possibly traveling, I will be working full time, and probably continuing my volunteer duties. I do not want to not be able to put the work needed into another lab because I will be juggling so many other responsibilities. If I TAed in the Fall for a GTA I have been communicating with alot will they be able to tell their supervisor about me and perhaps get a letter from them? Or even if I could try to keep in contact with their supervisor?

I feel like I am spreading myself a bit thin as is, and I do not want to disappoint a professor if I can not work in their lab as much as they would like.

That is definitely a difficult one. I don't have any other suggestions, except to keep asking people about it here and at your school. See what other people did who were in your shoes.

Good luck!