Advice Needed: Letter of Recommendations Forum

[joshhoward]

Hi so I've read through a lot of past discussions and got a little sense about this, but wanted to see if anyone has any direct advice regarding LORs.

I have 4 LORs on file from professors which were all written 3 years ago. I don't think any of them are that strong, and truth is I don't even have a good sense now which of them is the strongest. I'm just not sure.

I am getting 3 new LORs now, all from recent employers. I am pretty confident that each of them are going to be really solid LORs.

I am applying to HYS, and a few other t10s. Any thoughts about the risk/benefit of using one of my old LORs from professors? Thanks for advice!

[icecold3000]

Aren't LoRs suppose to be confidential?

Personally, I would use at least one LoR written from a professor, especially if they write glowingly about your academic ability.

As long as the LoR does't raise any red flags, don't stress over it. The LoR is not going to make or break you unless it is written by someone with an "in" with the adcomms.

[Nova]

I think it would look bad to not include at least 1 academic LOR.

[TripTrip]

I think it would look bad to not include at least 1 academic LOR.

[joshhoward]

Aren't LoRs suppose to be confidential?

not necessarily, but in this case, yes. I am inferring quality from perceived relationship and displayed ability

Personally, I would use at least one LoR written from a professor, especially if they write glowingly about your academic ability.

from my post, "especially" is not the case here

I think it would look bad to not include at least 1 academic LOR.

okay thanks for advice!

[Ti Malice]

I think it would look bad to not include at least 1 academic LOR.

Definitely. And if you're applying to Yale, you need two academic LORs. Asha has specifically said that failure to include two academic LORs will seriously prejudice your chances for admission. I think it's reasonable to guess that the same would go for Stanford, since their small class size means they can afford to be extra picky.