Math REU Application: Asking a former adjunct lecturer (now professor) for a recommendation?

Graduate School
1

<p>I am an upcoming undergraduate sophomore. I am thinking of applying for REU opportunities in Mathematics for the summer of 2015. However, being in a huge university I've only really gotten to know one instructor (when I took abstract algebra, smallest class I had) last year. She was an adjunct lecturer when she taught the course, but is now a professor at another university. </p>

<p>She knows me very well, and I guarantee she would write an exceptional letter of recommendation for me if I asked. But I'm wondering if it would be a bad idea because: (a) she doesn't work for my university anymore, (b) she wasn't a professor when she taught me. Also she has her PhD in Mathematics Education, so I doubt her name would be known to any admission officer reviewing my REU application.</p>

<p>Of course, I'd probably be applying the end of this year or early next year ... so I still have another semester where I could develop a relationship with some more reputable professors. I am taking two graduate courses next semester with professors who have written textbooks and published many things in their respective fields (Pure Math).</p>

<p>But suppose I am unable to develop any sort of relationship with my upcoming professors ... would it make more sense to ask for a less personal letter of recommendation from an experienced/well-known professor, or for a very personal and positive letter from an unknown professor? Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Her no longer being at your university anymore isn’t relevant, and her not being a professor at the time doesn’t seem relevant, especially since she is one now. And you might be surprised at who knows who, or at the very least, people reviewing applications will know somebody that knows her.</p>

<p>That being said, I think you should still focus on trying to get letters of rec from professors in the upcoming year. Just make sure that you’re proactive at the beginning of the semester about meeting them at office hours and talking about your academic interests/desire to do an REU. That was even if you don’t form a close relationship, they’ll hopefully get the hint that they should be paying attention to your work.</p>

3

<p>She would be fine as a letter writer but as the previous poster says, develop other relationships, you will need at least two letters for an REU.</p>