Choosing the Best Letter of Recommendation for Graduate School

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around selecting the most suitable letter of recommendation for graduate school applications, specifically in the context of a physics undergraduate. Participants evaluate the merits of recommendations from a PhD student versus a professor, considering their respective interactions and experiences.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that letters of recommendation should ideally come from professors rather than graduate students.
  • One participant argues that the professor is almost certainly the better choice, particularly if the research experience with the PhD student was brief.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of the professor's recommendation, stating it is the clear choice.
  • Concerns are raised about whether graduate student letters would even be accepted by some programs, with a suggestion to verify the specific requirements of the graduate school.
  • A participant notes that in Europe, a PhD student is considered more advanced than a graduate student, which may influence the perception of their recommendation.
  • There is a question about the value of submitting additional letters from non-faculty, with uncertainty expressed about whether this is beneficial.
  • Another participant reiterates that a letter from faculty is significantly more advantageous, citing the inexperience of graduate students in writing such letters.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that a letter from a professor is preferable, but there is some disagreement regarding the acceptance of letters from graduate students and the potential value of additional letters.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific program requirements regarding letters of recommendation, indicating that these may vary and could influence the decision-making process.

Who May Find This Useful

Undergraduates preparing for graduate school applications, particularly in STEM fields, may find this discussion relevant as it addresses the nuances of obtaining letters of recommendation.

nonequilibrium
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Hello,

If I had to choose between the two, which do you think is better for a letter of recommendation? (it's for applying to a graduate school, coming from an undergraduate in physics)

1) A PhD student that I interacted with on a daily basis during a two-week undergraduate research period in the summer;
2) A professor from an upper end undergraduate class where I interacted well during class, but who I haven't talked to outside of class (and my exam was good, but not particularly impressive)
 
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In general, you want reference letters to come from professors rather than graduate students.
 
Almost certainly the professor. If your research time with the student had been longer or if we were talking post-doc rather than PhD candidate then it would be a more difficult decision.
 
The professor, without a doubt.
 
thank you all
 
I question whether they would even accept one from a graduate student.
Some programs require a minimum number of letter that they will only accept from your professors, but also take additional letters into consideration that you can get from anyone who can testify to your abilities/work experience. You might check and see if they will let you submit a letter from the graduate student anyway (though it won't count as one of your actual LOR).
 
In europe, a PhD student is more than a graduate student though (it's a person who has already obtained a masters degree)

Anyway, "additional letters": is that a good thing to do? Is it always better?
 
mr. vodka said:
In europe, a PhD student is more than a graduate student though (it's a person who has already obtained a masters degree)

Regardless, a letter from faculty is much, much better. Not least for the fact that a graduate student has likely never written a letter before, so will not know what it should contain. Presumably you were employed for the summer by a professor, can he not write the letter?
 

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