Is this true about recommendation letters?

[econsgirl]

1) Get a professor who will write you an EXCELLENT letter, but one who has few contacts in the schools you're applying to.

2) Get a professor who will write you a DECENT letter, but one who has connections in the schools you are applying to.

Is it true that 2>>>1?

[notacolour]

I doubt it. If someone isn't willing to push you very hard, he isn't going to take advantage of those connections. And whether people know him very well won't matter, since he's not that big on you.

Plus, most people's recommenders won't have any connections to the schools where they apply, so being in the same boat doesn't put you at some great disadvantage.

[econsgirl]

if my professor has no connections, then does it matter whether he is from a very very good school or in a less known school?

[Ancalagon The Black]

I reckon it matters. For us international students of course, LORs are practically discounted unless the writer is from a famed US school.

[econsgirl]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

I reckon it matters. For us international students of course, LORs are practically discounted unless the writer is from a famed US school.

Famed US school meaning top 10 econs PHD schools?

[TruDog]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

I reckon it matters. For us international students of course, LORs are practically discounted unless the writer is from a famed US school.

And the same is true for American writers from lesser-known US schools. Top 30 schools always send a good signal to adcoms.

[the_asker]

What if my letter writer fails to indicate that he is from a top US school? Would the adcoms have any way of knowing?

[Ancalagon The Black]

econsgirl:

Yes, or if, say the letter of reference writer is from a famous international school (say) - IIT, IIM, IISC, ISI, Delhi School etc.

Also, there are many international students who write their own LORs simply because their professors are either:

1. Lazy and delegate the task.
2. Well meaning but still want to push the student forward.

This is a perennial problem simply because:

1. Professors don't use email and cannot (or will not) use online services leading to a lot of logistical problems.
2. They will simply not bother with so many people wanting to send LORs. (imagine 400 people every year each applying to 10-15 schools)

The problem exists in the Indian subcontinent, in South Asia, South East Asia and I have heard, Africa and parts of Latin America.

This is mainly because LORs are not required for admission in most of these places. (although places like Singapore and South Korea have started the trend)

For instance in India, admissions to any of the top institutes depends on the outcome of one entrance test on one day. This is why the US system of education is very attractive for many students because it checks all the aspects of your application.

Although, the drawback is that LORs from unknown foreign authors as will be the case in 99% of applications will be discounted. This leads to greater competition, a little unfairness but I think one which is heavily justified.

I think there was this case in NJIT or NYU (cannot remember which) which came out in the Times of India where an Indian student and a Chinese student where caught using wrong letter of reference information.

Moral of story: If you lie, make sure you have a good memory ... lol ...

Ok. End of Rant. I am a bit frustrated about my LORs going to be discounted although I didn't write them (though I saw them)

TruDog:

I had heard that this was an existing phenomenon. What about professors with degrees from good schools outside the top 30. Is that a plus or a minus or does it depend on the professor and how well known he is in his field?

[Ancalagon The Black]

the_asker:

I always ask my letter of reference writers to include a brief biography of themselves at the bottom of the page as well as contact information (might be redundant) and a list of courses taught (with brief appraisals)

I don't know whether such a request can be made in the US or not but I am friendly enough with my professors to suggest such a thing.

Also, if there are any present graduate students here or international students here in any discipline, just how are letter of reference writers authority validated?

This is because most of the writers in India do not have email addresses from the schools (as in .edu or .org) but use hotmail or yahoo. UMD told me that that is not a problem. Do they call up a professor if the student is admitted?

Anyone got first hand experience with that?

[kanishka]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon The Black

the_asker:

This is because most of the writers in India do not have email addresses from the schools (as in .edu or .org) but use hotmail or yahoo. UMD told me that that is not a problem. Do they call up a professor if the student is admitted?

Anyone got first hand experience with that?

Most self respecting schools have websites that work, where faculty listings are put up, even for those whose faculty are still in the dark ages.

If you are admitted, you will be contacted.