Letters of Recommendation

[chartreuse]

It's great seeing the recent acceptances + interview invitations on this board. I'd appreciate any input on the following question, esp from those who've had successful admission to top 20 schools:

I've been out of school for about 4-5 years. Is it advisable to have a letter of recommendation from my director at work and two from professors? (small tidbit: my boss is also a PhD in Econ & I work at a research company) Or is it better to have all the LORs from academics? The thing for the latter is that one of the professor is aware of my academic performance and the other two academics are those that I worked with and know my research capabilities.

Thanks for the input. Best of luck to those waiting!

[Andronicus]

What is the alternative?

[tkkoh]

I would say go for 3 LORs from the profs. It is a good mix to show your academic performance and research capabilities.

[doubtful]

many places accept up to 5 letters.. I say consider your boss as the fourth one.

[AstralTraveller]

Originally Posted by doubtful

many places accept up to 5 letters.. I say consider your boss as the fourth one.

This is what I did. Wherever I sent the letter from my boss, it was as letter #4. If they accepted only 3, I didn't send it. At one place though (NYU Stern) I sent four letters from academics.

[chartreuse]

Thanks for the input. I guess I will go for the 3 profs who in total know my academic performance and research abilities!