vet reference or academic reference?

[lostbunny]

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Hey-

Just filling out an application that has only 2 spaces for references. I'm having trouble choosing between a vet and an academic for the spot left (I've already chosen one vet as the 1st reference).

I'm not planning on going into research. But application to this school is mainly based on academic merit. So my academic can give me brownie points there (right?)

Buuut... this is a vet program, and so not sure if I should put down the vet reference instead. So the vet reference would be best... (right?).

Both will give me excellent references, but I only have room to choose one 😕 I'll be including my CV as well that has all 3 on there, but undecided about which one will fit better on the application form?

Eep! help!

 

[Minnerbelle]

I would choose based on what you think the LORs might say. If you can only send in 2 LORs, you don't want those to say similar things. Instead aim for the combination of LORs that can attest to as many positive characters as possible. I'm not saying choose the academic one, but I wouldn't necessarily choose the two vets just because this is a vet med related application. If you think the two vet LORs might be glowing, but about similar attributes, then I'd go for the academic LOR. If the academic one is just going to say what a good student you are, but not much else, and the two vet LORs are going to be different, then I'd go for the vet LOR.

 

[lostbunny]

Thanks Minnerbelle....

what a toss up!! My vet references are both from the same clinic, and work in the same departments. But my academic reference is less recent and the only contact I had with them was through class/office hours. The academic gave me a really good reference for a research job, but like I said I'm not applying to the research program nor do I have an interest in pursuing research.

I don't really feel like I can use any other vet references as I tried contacting one but its been quite a few years since we have worked together and so I opted to use two from the same hospital. They will have really great insight to my abilities within the vet field, but my academic reference may give insight to what a great student I could be 😛

errggg. 🙁

 

[twelvetigers]

What minnerbelle means is, if one vet says you are "reliable, friendly, and work well with clients" then you don't want vet #2 saying similar things. You want to cover as much ground as possible. And, since the vets are at the same practice, it seems like they might say similar things.

 

[jmo1012]

you ultimately have to pick who you think will give you the best references. you could ask the school if they'd prefer 1 and 1 or don't care. for ross and SGU they only want 2 references and specify that they want one professional (job or vet related) and one academic (but will bend around those if need be)

 

[lostbunny]

cooli-o! thanks everyone 😀 appreciate the help 👍

 

[PearlDVM]

I would choose the vet... especially if they have had more contact with you. In the end - they are recommending you because they want you as a future colleague. Your grades and transcripts should speak for themselves. Unless this academic person was someone you worked closely with, so they can lend both academic and personal info into their letter - then I think you risk getting a very generic letter from the academic one basically saying things that they can deduce from your grades.

good luck - it's a tough choice. My first application cycle, I had an academic instructor as one of my eLORs - but decided to go with all vets after that. I don't think that is why I didn't get in my first try, but I just realized that I was only one of 100+ students to her, even if I had been active in both research and office hours. In the end - I'm sure they all have wonderful things to say about you 🙂 . . . so you're probably fine either way! 😉