Asking for a LOR...

Graduate School
1

<p>I'm finishing my MS and UCLA.
I've had a good experience here and along the way I have several 1st author publications. Though I would consider myself very fortunate to stay here for a PhD, I somehow believe I should apply for Stanford, Berkeley, MIT. At this point I have a lot of industry experience, good research, and I just want to shoot for the very top.</p>

<p>my concert is that this would involve asking my current adviser for my MS thesis for letters of recommendation. Somehow it seems strange to ask him to recommend me to a "better" program when he wants me stay at UCLA with him for a PhD. Doesn't it seem disrespectful? I am afraid of making him upset by asking for a LOR to another school. </p>

<p>What do you guys think?</p>

2

<p>There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking your advisor for an LOR. If he’s any good at all (and I’m sure he is!) he’ll understand your interest in exploring other options for doctoral study. Getting experience at a variety of different universities throughout one’s academic career is considered a good thing.</p>