LOR from coach Forum

[hos9903]

I am wondering if I should bother having my rowing coach write me a LOR. It's a club team, but a competitive one where we practice almost daily and travel a great deal for competitions. I also held a pretty substantial leadership position on the team, which would be discussed further in the LOR (my resume already mentions it).


I already have two good academic LORs, so this is not necessary. So my question is: do you think this letter would make any difference? If not, I am more than happy to drop the idea.

Thanks for any advice

[thelawdoctor]

It's not the best option, but it's an ok option.

If your coach also taught classes it would be best to help show both teamwork in the field and actual academics in the class.

Most coaches do teach some classes. Did he?

[hos9903]

No, he did not. He would really only be speaking toward my leadership and the time commitment of rowing.

Like I said, I do not need this letter. I have the required 2 academic letters, this is just an option for an additional letter if I think it would be valuable.

[hephaestus]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

[thelawdoctor]

If you already have two good ones but just want to max out the LSDAS LOR file..........go for it I guess.

I think they still charge a fee to submit them to the school though. Not much, but still a few less taco's for the week. Factor that in I guess.

I don't see any harm to it beyond that nominal part though.

[hos9903]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

thanks, this is what I was looking for. I will probably drop the idea. One less thing to worry about before hitting submit

[thelawdoctor]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

thanks, this is what I was looking for. I will probably drop the idea. One less thing to worry about before hitting submit

You didn't even have it yet?

Where are you applying? Some places care about softs.

[hephaestus]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

thanks, this is what I was looking for. I will probably drop the idea. One less thing to worry about before hitting submit

You didn't even have it yet?

Where are you applying? Some places care about softs.

Well since you don't have it yet, I would not bother. You have 2 academic LORs already, and that is all that counts.

[thelawdoctor]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

thanks, this is what I was looking for. I will probably drop the idea. One less thing to worry about before hitting submit

You didn't even have it yet?

Where are you applying? Some places care about softs.

Well since you don't have it yet, I would not bother. You have 2 academic LORs already, and that is all that counts.

kind of depends on who from. "Good" is a relative term. He might mean him mom and her live in boyfriend Jeff the Trucker.

[hephaestus]

kind of depends on who from. "Good" is a relative term. He might mean him mom and her live in boyfriend Jeff the Trucker.

No, it really doesnt depend. LORs have little to no bearing on admissions results so I am unsure what you mean.

[hos9903]

It honestly really does not matter. It is unlikely to help or hurt.

thanks, this is what I was looking for. I will probably drop the idea. One less thing to worry about before hitting submit

You didn't even have it yet?

Where are you applying? Some places care about softs.

No, I don't have it yet. We are fairly close, however, so I expect a quick turnaround time if I were to ask him. I have set an October 5th deadline for myself, so I would ask him this week if I decided to use a rowing LOR.

I'm applying to a variety of T30,T20, and a few T14

edit: Oct. 5th deadline for submitting applications