Recommendation from a martial arts instructor Forum

[auntjulia]

I'm wondering if this would be a good third recommendation. I'll have a good rec from a prof and another from my employer.
Although I'm sure this isn't traditional, my martial arts instructor could attest to my dedication, my character and my understanding of the martial arts. He's an articulate guy and he has the ability to make connections between martial arts and professional/personal life, so I think the ADCOM would appreciate what he has to say. I'm just wondering if anyone has reasons I'm not seeing why this is a definite "don't."

Thanks

[northwood]

IT doesnt matter so much as who its from, but what it says about you, your character, and the positives that you bring to the school. If its good and puts you in a great light- go ahead and ask.

[sundance95]

Piece of advice; make sure your instructor can write cogently.

[krasivaya]

This immediately struck me as a terrible idea.

How long have you been out of school?

[BackToTheOldHouse]

If this is your martial arts instructor, then you should be alright:
--ImageRemoved--

[fatduck]

only works if your instructor is steven seagal

[krasivaya]

only works if your instructor is steven seagal

Wait what about this guy?

[fatduck]

only works if your instructor is steven seagal

Wait what about this guy?

does he have a unique physiological reaction to sexual arousal?

[auntjulia]

This immediately struck me as a terrible idea.

How long have you been out of school?

Finished in spring 2010, there are other profs who I could go to but none who know me so well as a person and a "student." Plus for them, it would be just another rec; I think my martial arts instructor would take it much more seriously and produce something better, less boilerplate.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

This immediately struck me as a terrible idea.

How long have you been out of school?

Finished in spring 2010, there are other profs who I could go to but none who know me so well as a person and a "student." Plus for them, it would be just another rec; I think my martial arts instructor would take it much more seriously and produce something better, less boilerplate.

If he could translate this into an LOR, you would be golden:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JehXR3rBAo

p.s. -- I'm just kidding and actually think it would be a cool idea .

[krasivaya]

This immediately struck me as a terrible idea.

How long have you been out of school?

Finished in spring 2010, there are other profs who I could go to but none who know me so well as a person and a "student." Plus for them, it would be just another rec; I think my martial arts instructor would take it much more seriously and produce something better, less boilerplate.

If I were an adcomm and I got an academic letter, an employer letter and a martial arts instructor letter I would start to think the applicant wasn't impressive enough to get a second academic one and had to ask someone they pay for monthly lessons to write a letter for them instead.

That's just me though and I'm probably bitchier than most adcomms.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

This immediately struck me as a terrible idea.

How long have you been out of school?

Finished in spring 2010, there are other profs who I could go to but none who know me so well as a person and a "student." Plus for them, it would be just another rec; I think my martial arts instructor would take it much more seriously and produce something better, less boilerplate.

If I were an adcomm and I got an academic letter, an employer letter and a martial arts instructor letter I would start to think the applicant wasn't impressive enough to get a second academic one and had to ask someone they pay for monthly lessons to write a letter for them instead.

That's just me though and I'm probably bitchier than most adcomms.

Is that Elizabeth Shue?

[jkay]

No.

[Dany]

This seems like a silly person to get a letter from.

[almightypush]

No.

this. you'd be better served obtaining a second academic LOR. besides, you can always highlight your martial arts skillz in a PS. hth.

[flcath]

I think it's a bad idea. In fact, I think you'd be better off getting a prof to phone it in for you.

Think about how adcomms weight softs vs. LSAT/GPA. Why wouldn't they view LoRs similarly?

The probative value of LoRs is already low b/c *you* pick the writers. Think about it: transcripts would be worthless too if you got to pick and choose which courses show up on them. At least if you use profs that places some type of quasi-objective limitation on them. Getting an LoR from your martial arts teacher will come off similarly to getting one from your best friend.

[auntjulia]

Thanks for the thoughts, everyone...

[bartleby]

I think the general answer is no unless you've studied under him for a long time and can prove it w/ some sort of achievement. Olympic qualifiers? UFC titles? If there is some "official" stuff, I don't see why you shouldn't. For example, an D1 athlete wouldn't hesitate to get a head coach to write a third, optional LOR, right? especially if you feel the other ones are going to be too canned.

[flcath]

I think the general answer is no unless you've studied under him for a long time and can prove it w/ some sort of achievement. Olympic qualifiers? UFC titles? If there is some "official" stuff, I don't see why you shouldn't. For example, an D1 athlete wouldn't hesitate to get a head coach to write a third, optional LOR, right? especially if you feel the other ones are going to be too canned.

This sounds reasonable, but remember that "proof in the form of achievement" should be based on what the adcomms think, and obviously assume a certain level of ignorance/non-insider knowledge on their part. The examples listed would qualify, but things like local competition awards, 'belt' levels, etc. probably wouldn't.