Which letter of recommendation should I use?

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi, I am debating which letter of recommendation I should use. I have already picked out two of my letters but I am ambivalent about the last one.</p>

<p>I graduated from college two years ago and am currently working as a research assistant in a lab. My supervisor, who is a post-doc, offered to write me a letter of recommendation. She is very pleased with my work--I have worked with her for the past year-and-a-half--and I she would provide me with a great letter. The other possibility for a letter is from a former professor (he is an assistant professor). I took and aced one of his upper division classes. I have also had other interactions with him outside of the classes room for small undergraduate projects.</p>

<p>I am planning on applying to top-ranked and highly-competitive graduate programs. Would be it better to get the detailed letter from a post-doc (working in a top 5 research center) or an average letter from a faculty member (working in a top 25 research center)?</p>

<p>Any suggestions are welcome.</p>

<p>Edit: I am already getting a letter from my current PI, who is also the PI of the post-doc I am considering as a letter writer. Maybe I shouldn't get two letters for the same research experience?</p>

2

<p>@aggiez10, I would suggest to you, to obtain two different letters from various sources(former professor, and supervisor) so this way you would be showing your versatility and strengths, which is a nice asset(s) to possess. Furthermore, the reasoning behind this logic as well is you don’t want to be repetitive (same person inscribing analogous research letters on your behalf), but rather unique and single yourself out from among the other prospective candidates.</p>

<p>Dave</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the suggestion! As I was writing the thread I realized that I should probably use the letter from my former professor so multiple aspects of my strengths and abilities can be shown.</p>

4

<p>Good think, OP. Besides, you can tell the post-doc that she can collaborate with her PI as she can give more information about you. 2 for 1 deal.</p>