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alg01
Current Student
Joined: 12 Dec 2017
Last visit: 11 May 2022
Posts: 11
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Location: United States
Schools: Darden '24 (WL) Tuck '24 (D) Foster '24 (A)
16 Aug 2021, 09:56
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I already have my current supervisor writing a letter of rec for me, and will use letters from him for all schools I am applying to.
For schools that require a second letter, I'm choosing between a few options, as some of my most recent supervisors are not available. Here's my options:
1) Former supervisor for a long project ~4 years ago, previously wrote me a letter ~2 years ago, but no longer has it, and I think wouldn't remember too many specific stories to write about
2) Former senior colleague/mentor, last worked with ~2 years ago
3) Current colleague, a few years senior, but still at the same level as myself
On rank, number 1 is obviously the best choice, but I'm concerned a letter from him would be quite generic by this point, even though he was very enthusiastic to write one for me previously. Number 3 to me feels like would by far best meet most adcoms' instructions on who to choose as far as knowing me, my working style and goals/aptitude well. However, I am concerned about choosing someone is not a supervisor or formally senior to myself. Is this mitigated by the fact that I already have my current direct supervisor?
For schools that require a second letter, I'm choosing between a few options, as some of my most recent supervisors are not available. Here's my options:
1) Former supervisor for a long project ~4 years ago, previously wrote me a letter ~2 years ago, but no longer has it, and I think wouldn't remember too many specific stories to write about
2) Former senior colleague/mentor, last worked with ~2 years ago
3) Current colleague, a few years senior, but still at the same level as myself
On rank, number 1 is obviously the best choice, but I'm concerned a letter from him would be quite generic by this point, even though he was very enthusiastic to write one for me previously. Number 3 to me feels like would by far best meet most adcoms' instructions on who to choose as far as knowing me, my working style and goals/aptitude well. However, I am concerned about choosing someone is not a supervisor or formally senior to myself. Is this mitigated by the fact that I already have my current direct supervisor?
17 Aug 2021, 08:12
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alg01:
Tough call, but at least you have some viable options.
I would go with (3) so long as this person can introduce information about you that isn't repetitive with your current supervisor. I wouldn't worry so much about the title. If he's a few years older than you, that can imply some sort of seniority. At the end of the day, many schools are asking two things for the recommenders:
(1) How does this candidate to his or her peer set?
(2) Talk about a time when you gave this person constructive criticism.
If he can answer them adequately and from a "mentor-like" perspective, then he should be good to go.
I am worried about (1) as it could feel slightly dated even if you coached him with recent examples and pushed him towards specificity. (2) is also fine but can he answer these questions and is two years ago too far away? Would his recommendation be as relevant as (3)?
I'm sure you'll get a handful of opinions and, again, I don't think you can necessarily go wrong especially with your actual supervisor in the mix. That'll probably carry more weight than whomever you pick for your second.
You may find this resource helpful:
https://admissionado.com/blog/resources ... mendation/
Good luck,
Admissionado
Tough call, but at least you have some viable options.
I would go with (3) so long as this person can introduce information about you that isn't repetitive with your current supervisor. I wouldn't worry so much about the title. If he's a few years older than you, that can imply some sort of seniority. At the end of the day, many schools are asking two things for the recommenders:
(1) How does this candidate to his or her peer set?
(2) Talk about a time when you gave this person constructive criticism.
If he can answer them adequately and from a "mentor-like" perspective, then he should be good to go.
I am worried about (1) as it could feel slightly dated even if you coached him with recent examples and pushed him towards specificity. (2) is also fine but can he answer these questions and is two years ago too far away? Would his recommendation be as relevant as (3)?
I'm sure you'll get a handful of opinions and, again, I don't think you can necessarily go wrong especially with your actual supervisor in the mix. That'll probably carry more weight than whomever you pick for your second.
You may find this resource helpful:
https://admissionado.com/blog/resources ... mendation/
Good luck,
Admissionado
