Recommendation question (Grad school in Psych)

Graduate School
1

<p>I am currently applying to a number of graduate schools in the counseling/clinical field of Psychology. My current predicament is involving who to ask for recommendations. </p>

<p>I work part time as a Youth Counselor, and Full time as a Case Manager in the Drug & Alcohol Field. </p>

<p>I am in need of three sources, and already have two figured out based on my needs. Currently, I have a professor with whom I have great rapport with - in research, in the classroom, and on a personal basis. I also have asked my supervisor from my part time Youth Home job for a recommendation, due to the facts that she has a master's degree, and I want to work with children and adolescents.</p>

<p>For my THIRD recommendation, I have two options-
- A fellow coworker from my full time position where I assess and place clients.
***Problem being that none of my coworkers A) Have a master's degree and B) actually see me interact with my clients, as I meet with them one-on-one in my office.
OR
-A previous professor whom I had for multiple classes, worked with me on my field experience and was my adviser for three years. </p>

<p>Is it true that, when asking for recommendations, it is best to have sources that have at least the level that you are applying for?
Would it look suspicious that I don't have a recommendation from my full time position?
Is it best to have another clinical reference, even coming from a bachelor's degree level from someone who doesn't witness my interactions with the clients?</p>

2

<p>First things first: you definitely don’t want a recommendation from a coworker. With few exceptions, recommenders should always be someone who supervised you in some way.</p>

<p>You should definitely go for the professor in this case. They seem to know you well since they were your adviser for three years - so they know you personally, academically (from having taught you in multiple classes) and also professionally (supervising your field experience).</p>

<p>Is it true that, when asking for recommendations, it is best to have sources that have at least the level that you are applying for?</p>

<p>Yes. These are people who are supposedly testifying to your ability to successfully complete a PhD program. How can they attest to that if they haven’t done it themselves?</p>

<p>Would it look suspicious that I don’t have a recommendation from my full time position?</p>

<p>Not really. Again, you want people who can attest to your ability to achieve in a doctoral program. Sometimes, there’s just no one at your current job that can do that.</p>