REUs: Seeking Advice on Letters of Rec & Personal Statements

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking advice on obtaining letters of recommendation and crafting personal statements for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs). Participants explore strategies for leveraging existing relationships with faculty and addressing application requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether to request a letter from a professor with limited interaction or from a graduate student who can speak positively about their lab skills.
  • Some participants suggest obtaining a letter from a previous university, while others note that this may not be feasible due to lack of relevant coursework or relationships.
  • There is a discussion about the appropriateness of asking a physics professor for a recommendation, with one participant expressing hesitation due to the lack of a personal relationship.
  • Some participants argue that professors are accustomed to writing letters for students they do not know well, and that having a faculty letter is preferable to relying solely on a TA's letter.
  • Advice is given regarding the inclusion of a personal statement or additional paragraph in the application, with some suggesting it is acceptable to mention unique circumstances or interests related to the REU.
  • One participant raises a question about whether to include transcripts from a previous degree in Political Science and whether to list it on their CV.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that obtaining a letter from a faculty member is important, but there are differing opinions on the best approach to take given the participant's specific circumstances. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal strategy for personal statements and the inclusion of previous academic transcripts.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the appropriateness of their relationships with potential recommenders and the impact of additional application materials. There are also unresolved questions about how to present previous academic experiences in applications.

Who May Find This Useful

Students applying for REUs, particularly those with non-traditional academic backgrounds or limited relationships with faculty, may find this discussion relevant.

carboy79
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So firstly, I am at my first semester at my new university (although I am not a freshman), and the only faculty member I have had any relationship with is my TA for my lab I took this semester. The REU's I'm applying to require a letter of rec, so my question is should I attempt to get a letter from a professor that I've talked to maybe 3 times, or would it be better to get this graduate student to write a letter for me, but it would speak very positively about my lab skills??

My second issue is that one REU I am applying to doesn't ask you to send any personal statement or anything like that, but I really want to include a little paragraph describing my situation because I think it would help my chances. Is this appropriate to include? or would it just piss them off a little that I took it upon myself to add more to my application?

Thanks for responses!
 
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I would get a letter from someone at your old university then.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
I would get a letter from someone at your old university then.

I can't, not only did I not take any science courses at my previous university, but my old professors wouldn't be able to pick me out of a line up
 
Any professors in related subjects that could possibly help you out? For instance, a letter from a math professor for a physics REU is not a problem, even though a physics professor is preferable.
 
G01 said:
Any professors in related subjects that could possibly help you out? For instance, a letter from a math professor for a physics REU is not a problem, even though a physics professor is preferable.


I could ask a physics professor like i said earlier... I just feel a little awkward asking. I've been to his office hours like twice. The thing that I have going for me with him though is that i got special permission from him to take this class because I didn't have the pre-requisite, and I'm acing the class. Still though, we don't have any sort of a personal relationship... I don't know if its even appropriate to ask.
 
carboy79 said:
I could ask a physics professor like i said earlier... I just feel a little awkward asking. I've been to his office hours like twice. The thing that I have going for me with him though is that i got special permission from him to take this class because I didn't have the pre-requisite, and I'm acing the class. Still though, we don't have any sort of a personal relationship... I don't know if its even appropriate to ask.

Don't worry about asking your professor for a letter. Writing rec letters is part of a professor's job. Professors write letters for students they don't know well all the time. It's still better than no letter.

On the topic of your TA: The graduate student may know you better, however, a graduate student is not a faculty member, even if they are a TA. You can include the TA's letter if you wish. (It couldn't hurt.) Be aware that it probably won't be given much weight. Thus, you should also have a letter from a faculty member (read: professor).
 
G01 said:
Don't worry about asking your professor for a letter. Writing rec letters is part of a professor's job. Professors write letters for students they don't know well all the time. It's still better than no letter.

On the topic of your TA: The graduate student may know you better, however, a graduate student is not a faculty member, even if they are a TA. You can include the TA's letter if you wish. (It couldn't hurt.) Be aware that it probably won't be given much weight. Thus, you should also have a letter from a faculty member (read: professor).

Thanks a lot, I guess I'll just gather the courage and ask him. Do you have any advice on my 2nd question?
 
carboy79 said:
Do you have any advice on my 2nd question?

No one is going to reject your application because you sent an extra paragraph stating your interest or unique circumstances.

That said, don't go overboard:

It's good to point out if you have a unique educational background or personal history.

Beyond that focus it on why you want to go to that REU; Mention specific professors or projects you'd like to work on if possible.

Don't waste time talking about how awesome their department is or talking about high school sports, high school science clubs or honor societies, or other irrelevant stuff.
 
Sorry more questions... My first bachelors degree is in Political Science. When applying should i send these transcripts? Also should I list this in my CV?
 

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