<p>I still have 2 more years left before I get my BS in Mechanical Engineering and I already decided that I want to go to grad school after getting 2-3 years of work experience with a company after I finish my undergrad. I plan on applying to top grad schools for Engineering in California including Stanford, UC Berkeley and a few other grad schools as back up. I checked their application requirements online and nearly all of them require 3 Letters of Recommendation. I also noticed all of them require that at least one of the letters come from an undergrad professor from your undergrad school. </p>
<p>Does this mean that letters from undergrad professors are more valued as better recommendations? In general, who is the best type of person to ask for a letter of recommendation from: Undergrad Professors, Professor/Researcher/Mentor you worked with during a summer internship, Manager from a company you worked for as an engineer, etc.? Is it best to diversify and get 1 letter from each to look more well-rounded in the eyes of the grad admissions? </p>
<p>I have good relationships with various professors and research mentors from previous internships, and I'm sure once I start working for a company after completing my BS I can get a recommendation from a manager. So basically, I have options. </p>
<p>Also, is it beneficial to submit an additional recommender? I heard some grad schools will allow it, but I'm wondering if having a 4th recommender will look good or bad. </p>
<p>Well, letters from faculty can tell the schools more about your academic potential than a letter form a manger who is not in the university “business”. If you are applying to a Ph.D. program or and M.S. where you are expected to do research, the most important letters are those form research mentors who can speak to your promise as a researcher. A letter from your manager is most useful for a Professional Masters application.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply xraymancs. So once I decide what Masters program I want to pursue (Research or Professional) should I focus on only using recommenders for that specific field? For example, if I decide that I want to make a career in research and get a M.S. should I only get letters of rec from professors and research mentors who can speak about my research potential? Or is it better to show you have a more diverse skillset by having 1 of the 3 letters from a manager?</p>
<p>I know admission for grad school varies in many ways since there are so many random factors. I’m basically just wondering if it’s better to look more focused on one field (like research in my above example) or if they prefer a well-rounded student.</p>
<p>If you take time to work before applying to graduate school, having at least one letter from a recent manager/supervisor would be preferred - to vouch for your “current” excellence. Letters are overrated in graduate school admissions, though. Presumably, you’ve picked people who like you to write them. So a bad one hurts far more than a good one helps. A great letter is written by someone who knows you well (close mentor or advisor) and who is known to the person reading the file (“big name” or personal connection). </p>