who to ask for LOR's?

[love2bfit]

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so, I'm beginning the application process, and I need three letters of recommendation. I'm planning on getting one from a professor I work with in a psychology lab on campus, and one from a biology professor I also did research for. I need one more letter, and I'm debating between two people. One is a professor who has her MPH in epidemiology (and PhD in anthropology), and the other is a professional staff member who I have been working for for 3 years, but is not in academia. I want to pursue epidemiology for my MPH, so my first thought is to ask the prof who is in the field to write me a letter (she is also Pitt alumni, so she likely has connections there), since she can attest to my interest in the field. On the other hand, my boss (the professional staff member) has written wonderful letters of recommendation for me in the past, and can attest to my work ethic, people skills, etc. He also knows me on a more personal level than the MPH prof. Which person do you think would be better to get a letter from?

Thanks!

 

[erikalindsay]

I would say to ask the person who has the MPH in epi (and PhD in another field). This is assuming you know you will get a positive letter from each person.

I am applying to epi PhD programs right now and had a similar question and asked both my academic/thesis advisor and the major coordinator for the epi PhD program, and they both said to ask the person who knows my academic ability and who is a faculty member in epi (even though she doesn't know me very personally) rather than the person with whom I have a longer relationship and who is not in the field of epi (he is also a professor, but in another subject).

You'll probably get other opinions, though. Good luck!

 

[Stories]

I would say to ask the person who has the MPH in epi (and PhD in another field). This is assuming you know you will get a positive letter from each person.

I am applying to epi PhD programs right now and had a similar question and asked both my academic/thesis advisor and the major coordinator for the epi PhD program, and they both said to ask the person who knows my academic ability and who is a faculty member in epi (even though she doesn't know me very personally) rather than the person with whom I have a longer relationship and who is not in the field of epi (he is also a professor, but in another subject).

You'll probably get other opinions, though. Good luck!

I'd agree with erika here, as well. Bolded for emphasis.