Hi all,
I am finishing up my Master's in mental health counseling and contemplating applying for doctoral programs in counseling psychology. I am having a huge headache over ref. letters...
A couple of years ago, I worked as a paid research assistant for an independent project. I stayed there for about two years. I enjoyed my work. My job duties include data entry & analysis etc.. My supervisor - the sole leader of the office is a tenured professor in psychology. We didn't have the most compatible personality and working style but we get along. He gave me overall positive feedback. However, things went bad at the very end of my work there. I am not getting into details here but there was drama, threats, accusation, and racial discrimination. Just to give you a flavor of how bad it was, my co-worker is suing him for slander and personality decimation. I promptly found another job (FYI, I still fulfilled my contract) and left. Now I think about it, my leave exacerbated the situation even more.
Before leaving, I asked him if he could give me a good reference letter and he said yes. I never received the letter. He didn't respond to any of my attempts at contacting him. The director of the institute gave me an excellent reference but she doesn't really know my work and research skills.
Here is my question, should I just use the institute director's letter in my application or try nagging my ex-supervisor for the letter? I know the significance of research experience in Ph.D. application and I really want to optimize my chance of getting in. I am actually worried that the admission committee will contact him and ask about me (He is well connected). I am not sure if the way we ended would impact what he has to say about me or not. I have glowing letters from my clinical supervisors & professors and stellar GRE.
I am really struggling. I would appreciate any insight.
Edit:
Just to add a little more info, the letter I got from the institute director is sort of general. Main reason I am hesitant to use her letter.
Thanks for all the replies!!
I am finishing up my Master's in mental health counseling and contemplating applying for doctoral programs in counseling psychology. I am having a huge headache over ref. letters...
A couple of years ago, I worked as a paid research assistant for an independent project. I stayed there for about two years. I enjoyed my work. My job duties include data entry & analysis etc.. My supervisor - the sole leader of the office is a tenured professor in psychology. We didn't have the most compatible personality and working style but we get along. He gave me overall positive feedback. However, things went bad at the very end of my work there. I am not getting into details here but there was drama, threats, accusation, and racial discrimination. Just to give you a flavor of how bad it was, my co-worker is suing him for slander and personality decimation. I promptly found another job (FYI, I still fulfilled my contract) and left. Now I think about it, my leave exacerbated the situation even more.
Before leaving, I asked him if he could give me a good reference letter and he said yes. I never received the letter. He didn't respond to any of my attempts at contacting him. The director of the institute gave me an excellent reference but she doesn't really know my work and research skills.
Here is my question, should I just use the institute director's letter in my application or try nagging my ex-supervisor for the letter? I know the significance of research experience in Ph.D. application and I really want to optimize my chance of getting in. I am actually worried that the admission committee will contact him and ask about me (He is well connected). I am not sure if the way we ended would impact what he has to say about me or not. I have glowing letters from my clinical supervisors & professors and stellar GRE.
I am really struggling. I would appreciate any insight.
Edit:
Just to add a little more info, the letter I got from the institute director is sort of general. Main reason I am hesitant to use her letter.
Thanks for all the replies!!
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