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Research LOR
- Thread starter samuraiR
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I think it's a bad idea.
A PhD student does not yet have their degree, and while they may have had the most interaction with you, a letter from them is not as valuable as one from a professor. I am finishing up a PhD right now and I have had students who have worked for me ask me for LOR. I am always willing to write one, but I tell them up front that they should really try to think of someone else they can ask, a letter signed GellaBella, PhD Candidate means nothing and will hold very little weight against LORs written by a professor who can compare you to other students they've had and speak more to the skills adcoms are interested in hearing about.
A PhD student does not yet have their degree, and while they may have had the most interaction with you, a letter from them is not as valuable as one from a professor. I am finishing up a PhD right now and I have had students who have worked for me ask me for LOR. I am always willing to write one, but I tell them up front that they should really try to think of someone else they can ask, a letter signed GellaBella, PhD Candidate means nothing and will hold very little weight against LORs written by a professor who can compare you to other students they've had and speak more to the skills adcoms are interested in hearing about.
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No.
Unless someone with more experience says otherwise.
I wouldn't take it from PHD candidate and he or she should know enough to say so, like GellaBella said. I nearly asked for a letter from a fellow at the hospital and he said something along the lines "ask someone who will hold some weight".
As a compromise, you might try to see if the PHD student would be okay writing a letter for the professor to sign. Again, from my experience, one of my letters came from secretary signed by MD.
I've also written several letters for volunteers at my office for my boss to sign. Heck, he doesn't even sign them, I have his signature electronically. I read it out over the phone for him and he "okays" it for his signature.
Unless someone with more experience says otherwise.
I wouldn't take it from PHD candidate and he or she should know enough to say so, like GellaBella said. I nearly asked for a letter from a fellow at the hospital and he said something along the lines "ask someone who will hold some weight".
As a compromise, you might try to see if the PHD student would be okay writing a letter for the professor to sign. Again, from my experience, one of my letters came from secretary signed by MD.
I've also written several letters for volunteers at my office for my boss to sign. Heck, he doesn't even sign them, I have his signature electronically. I read it out over the phone for him and he "okays" it for his signature.
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I would definitely not accept a letter from a student. It's possible that the PI is just crazy busy right now because it's grant season. Are you close enough with the student to ask him if this is the case? Maybe it would be worth it to wait until grant deadlines and ask again.
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Oh, and I second Practitioner. It is not that uncommon for whoever knows your work best to write the actual letter and then have the PI sign it. Just make sure you find out beforehand whether or not this is the case.
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I agree with this approach. It is the most common scenario at my institution. You most want a letter written by someone knowing you well enough to give the letter a personal touch. Having the PI with credentials cosign it covers all the bases.
