reference from an NGO instead of an academic one ..please help

[veroniquaz]

I just received an email from one of my referees saying that because he is extremely busy he can not write all the references I need, but just a few. As I do not want to cut down the number of schools I am applying to, now I am considering who should I throw in.

I interned at a very well known development agency under supervision of a PhD in economics. Before he started his current job he was teaching and advising PhD students and he will mention that in the reference. He knows me well and I am sure he will write a very strong letter, but will schools (mainly those that stress academic references) accept it?

A yes/no/probably yes/probably no answer is sufficient. Thanks.

[user_name]

Probably yes.

[butler blue]

I would think yes, especially if you did any sort of research under him.

[veroniquaz]

Thank you guys. I have checked the universities´ requirements about references more properly and there where I am applying it seems ok to use this one.

In addition I found this on Susan Athey´s sites for PhD applicants:
It's fine to have a letter from someone you worked for even if they didn't teach you in a class.

As I definitely did not intern as a secretary of this guy and actually the research we have done together was quite technical, I hope this will be fine.

[OneMoreEcon]

To alter something Rumsfeld said a little...

You apply to grad school with the LORs you have, not the LORs you wish you had.

But yeah, if you did research under a PhD economist at an NGO, it should be fine. And since he can speak from the academic perspective due to his previous position, I think it will be fine.

[veroniquaz]

Originally Posted by OneMoreEcon

You apply to grad school with the LORs you have, not the LORs you wish you had.

Heh, thanks, makes me feel better . Maybe I should really be happy that I at least have this guy, who btw. replied to my email within 30 minutes and promised to submit the references by early next week. For the email from the busy guy I had to wait for one week...

Damn, I so much hate this process and it is just the beginning, SOPs etc. still ahead of me . (just wanted to complain publically to feel a bit better)