<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I've been out of school for 2 years and my LORs are, so far, an IR professor I took several classes with and enjoyed and knew me well and my thesis adviser who was/is the head of an IR institute at the school. Now, if I can only send 3 to a school, is it "better" to get the LOR from an Int'l Econ professor (only class I had with them, but it seems Econ is big to several schools) or from my employer, who's known me about a year now?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Check the website of the school you’re applying to. My potential schools all had little notes about who they wanted recommendations from</p>
<p>Ex. from Rutgers SCILS: “Letters are expected from an applicant’s professors or from senior members of professional and/ or corporate organizations who are able to comment substantially on the applicant’s academic capabilities rather than on workplace efficiency and character traits.”</p>
<p>Other schools, however, have mentioned wanting a recommendation that demonstrates “the applicant’s professional capacity” or some such. Regardless of what the school says, however, it is always better to get a recommendation from an “unknown” superviser who thinks you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread than a lukewarm “I sorta kinda remember [insert name] showed up to class and passed my exams” from a famous researcher in your field.</p>
<p>I would think that the combination would be better. Since most schools require three letters, I would choose maybe two who knows your academic work well and maybe one who can comment on something else you do well. Anyone can look at a transcript and talk about how smart and qualified the applicant is, even if the professor doesn’t really know you that well. Also, why would schools be interested in such a letter since they get a copy of the transcript also? I say that if you performed well in your employer’s eyes, ask him for a letter that talks about your potential and person (diligent, meticulous, etc).</p>