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user_name · 09-24-2006, 05:07 PM

I have the same question as Jhai's, but I didn't want to steal his thread, so here goes:

1) Econ advisor: A full professor who got his PhD from Minnesota. I took intermediate Macro with him and we've talked a lot outside the classroom ever since I went to college.
2) Econ research supervisor: an associate professor who got his PhD from Kellogg. I took intermediate Micro and Game Theory with him. I was his research assistant for a term, and I'm doing an Honor's project under his supervision. I've also talked to this guy a lot outside the classroom since my sophomore year.
3) New econ professor: a "fellow" (2-year appointment) who got his PhD from Minnesota. He also had a 2-year appointment at Kellogg, which is my dream school. I've known him only since the beginning of this school year. I'm doing an Independent Study with him in Game Theory (Fudenberg & Tirole), but I'm not sure how it's gonna go. So if you please, consider both the good and the bad cases.
4) Math chair: A full professor who got his PhD from UW-Madison. I took 3 classes from this guy (including Real Analysis) and got all very good grades. I've also been a grader for his Calculus classes. I once talked to him about doing a PhD in math and asked for his recommendation, so I guess he's given some thought about my strengths and weaknesses. Now the big problem is that I don't talk to this guy very often, and I don't feel like we're good friends.
5) Polit science professor: he got his PhD from Rochester and his interest is game theory, so he's probably at the more math-intensive end of the polit science community. I took an intro american politics class and did an independent study in game theory with him (reading classic articles from econ journals), and I can say that he's quite impressed with me (especially with my math ability). I also talk to this guy a lot and we're like friends.
6) My math advisor: an associate professor of statistics who got her PhD from U Iowa. I took Intro Stat & Prob with her and got an A. As my advisor, she knows about my tough schedule and how I'm doing in econ. I do talk with her, but not as frequently as with (1), (2), and (5).
7) Econ emeritus professor: He got his PhD from Harvard. He was supposedly responsible for sending the guy #2 above to Kellogg. I took intermediate Econometrics with him and got the highest grade in this class. I also went to his office quite often during that term. I asked him to write me a recomendation and he said he'd be happy to. Bad thing is I just don't see him around anymore, but I guess I can get a hold of him if I have to. I actually like this guy a lot as a person.

Can you guys help me pick 3 "official" letters and 2 additional ones. Thanks a lot.

Nalfien · 09-24-2006, 06:01 PM

I would go with 1, 2 and 7 and then probably 3 and 4

Man, I wish I felt like friends with some of my professors.....

tripax · 09-24-2006, 07:42 PM

You have good econ profs so I'd go with those first, but if you see someone from {4,5,6} has coauthored with economics professors at a school you are applying to, consider having them write for those two or three schools (is this even good advice, or does it just seem so to me?).

user_name · 09-26-2006, 02:22 AM

Any other comments, please?

cooper · 09-26-2006, 03:07 AM

Well, it certainly is not a bad thing to have 7 people willing to say good things about you. I think the best option is to make sure you have people who can discuss different aspects. Each time someone can add something new/diferent to your profile (asuming they are good), it is better than having the same thing repeated (allthough confirmation is a good sgnal). Another thing to consider is the schools you are applying to, maybe someone has strong ties.

I say pick 3 that you think can speak great things about you, while maintaining a diversity i.e. a math prof, an econ prof you have done research with, and a mentor or close prof. Then for the 4th letter, just pick someone who has ties to the program you are interested in (of course only if they have good things to say).

Of course there is always the exception of people like John Nash. According to Osborne's "An Introduction to Game Theory" one of his letters of recomendation had only one sentence "This man is a genius". But since most of us are not John Nash, I think it is a good idea to have a more diversified set of recomendations that can highlight your different strengths. In the end, there will be some overlap since there are certain persoanl characteristics that every professor will see in a good student, which would bring some confirmation.

This looks to me like #1, #2, and #4 plus a fourth of your choosing (probably #5, or #6, but again, it depends where you apply) would do the trick.

I like to think that LOR's are the most important part of an app after you make it through the cut-offs, so be selective and strategic.

Good luck

user_name · 09-26-2006, 03:26 AM

Can someone give me a list of things that professors talk about in their LOR's
(math ability, econ creativity... what else)?

How many LORs are two many? Is it gonna hurt if I send 7 letters to each school, provided that none of the referees is going to say anything bad about me.

scheng75 · 09-26-2006, 05:55 AM

Do not send 7 letters, my guess is no adcom will want to read all 7, might count against you. I'd send 4, actually I did send 4, was fine. I recommend sending LORs from Econ and Math profs and not PoliSci. I wouldn't base it on how well you get along with them or how often you see them even though it's important that they know your abilities, but I think it should be based on how highly they would rate you. Would they say you are the top 1% in their entire career, top 1-5% of your class or a wonderful student. A lot of LOR forms ask the profs to rate you with all the other students they've seen, so that's one of the most important element to consider. I remember some other categories are leadership and team work but the main ones are about academic ability.

Also, when you are discussing Ph.D programs with these profs, what programs are they encouraging you to apply to? Is it top ranked programs or second tier? That can also tell you a lot about where they think you rank among your peers. Good luck!

09-24-2006, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
user_name Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 455	Who to ask for LOR's? I have the same question as Jhai's, but I didn't want to steal his thread, so here goes: 1) Econ advisor: A full professor who got his PhD from Minnesota. I took intermediate Macro with him and we've talked a lot outside the classroom ever since I went to college. 2) Econ research supervisor: an associate professor who got his PhD from Kellogg. I took intermediate Micro and Game Theory with him. I was his research assistant for a term, and I'm doing an Honor's project under his supervision. I've also talked to this guy a lot outside the classroom since my sophomore year. 3) New econ professor: a "fellow" (2-year appointment) who got his PhD from Minnesota. He also had a 2-year appointment at Kellogg, which is my dream school. I've known him only since the beginning of this school year. I'm doing an Independent Study with him in Game Theory (Fudenberg & Tirole), but I'm not sure how it's gonna go. So if you please, consider both the good and the bad cases. 4) Math chair: A full professor who got his PhD from UW-Madison. I took 3 classes from this guy (including Real Analysis) and got all very good grades. I've also been a grader for his Calculus classes. I once talked to him about doing a PhD in math and asked for his recommendation, so I guess he's given some thought about my strengths and weaknesses. Now the big problem is that I don't talk to this guy very often, and I don't feel like we're good friends. 5) Polit science professor: he got his PhD from Rochester and his interest is game theory, so he's probably at the more math-intensive end of the polit science community. I took an intro american politics class and did an independent study in game theory with him (reading classic articles from econ journals), and I can say that he's quite impressed with me (especially with my math ability). I also talk to this guy a lot and we're like friends. 6) My math advisor: an associate professor of statistics who got her PhD from U Iowa. I took Intro Stat & Prob with her and got an A. As my advisor, she knows about my tough schedule and how I'm doing in econ. I do talk with her, but not as frequently as with (1), (2), and (5). 7) Econ emeritus professor: He got his PhD from Harvard. He was supposedly responsible for sending the guy #2 above to Kellogg. I took intermediate Econometrics with him and got the highest grade in this class. I also went to his office quite often during that term. I asked him to write me a recomendation and he said he'd be happy to. Bad thing is I just don't see him around anymore, but I guess I can get a hold of him if I have to. I actually like this guy a lot as a person. Can you guys help me pick 3 "official" letters and 2 additional ones. Thanks a lot.

09-24-2006, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
tripax Eager! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ithaca, New York Posts: 74	You have good econ profs so I'd go with those first, but if you see someone from {4,5,6} has coauthored with economics professors at a school you are applying to, consider having them write for those two or three schools (is this even good advice, or does it just seem so to me?). _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Program: PhD economics - just starting at Cornell Accepted: Cornell (w/ $), Maryland (no $), Southern Methodist (w/ $), Illinois-Chicago (no $), Rutgers (no $ - notified late) Rejected: Columbia, Georgetown, Brown, Connecticut (accepted to MS track), Minnesota, Northwestern (notified late), Boston College (notified late) Expirience: Iowa State MS in Math and MA in Political Science, BS and BA at Nebraska

09-26-2006, 05:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
scheng75 TestMagic fan! Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: CA Posts: 660	Do not send 7 letters, my guess is no adcom will want to read all 7, might count against you. I'd send 4, actually I did send 4, was fine. I recommend sending LORs from Econ and Math profs and not PoliSci. I wouldn't base it on how well you get along with them or how often you see them even though it's important that they know your abilities, but I think it should be based on how highly they would rate you. Would they say you are the top 1% in their entire career, top 1-5% of your class or a wonderful student. A lot of LOR forms ask the profs to rate you with all the other students they've seen, so that's one of the most important element to consider. I remember some other categories are leadership and team work but the main ones are about academic ability. Also, when you are discussing Ph.D programs with these profs, what programs are they encouraging you to apply to? Is it top ranked programs or second tier? That can also tell you a lot about where they think you rank among your peers. Good luck! _ _ _ _ SIG _ _ _ _ Vice President The Economics Fan Club Memberships are exclusive and subject to a deep appreciation of the finer points.

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09-24-2006, 06:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nalfien I pick my nose. Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 328	I would go with 1, 2 and 7 and then probably 3 and 4 Man, I wish I felt like friends with some of my professors.....

09-26-2006, 02:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
user_name Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 455	Any other comments, please?

09-26-2006, 03:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
cooper Eager! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 73	Well, it certainly is not a bad thing to have 7 people willing to say good things about you. I think the best option is to make sure you have people who can discuss different aspects. Each time someone can add something new/diferent to your profile (asuming they are good), it is better than having the same thing repeated (allthough confirmation is a good sgnal). Another thing to consider is the schools you are applying to, maybe someone has strong ties. I say pick 3 that you think can speak great things about you, while maintaining a diversity i.e. a math prof, an econ prof you have done research with, and a mentor or close prof. Then for the 4th letter, just pick someone who has ties to the program you are interested in (of course only if they have good things to say). Of course there is always the exception of people like John Nash. According to Osborne's "An Introduction to Game Theory" one of his letters of recomendation had only one sentence "This man is a genius". But since most of us are not John Nash, I think it is a good idea to have a more diversified set of recomendations that can highlight your different strengths. In the end, there will be some overlap since there are certain persoanl characteristics that every professor will see in a good student, which would bring some confirmation. This looks to me like #1, #2, and #4 plus a fourth of your choosing (probably #5, or #6, but again, it depends where you apply) would do the trick. I like to think that LOR's are the most important part of an app after you make it through the cut-offs, so be selective and strategic. Good luck

09-26-2006, 03:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
user_name Within my grasp! Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 455	Can someone give me a list of things that professors talk about in their LOR's (math ability, econ creativity... what else)? How many LORs are two many? Is it gonna hurt if I send 7 letters to each school, provided that none of the referees is going to say anything bad about me.

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