canhca

A professor with whom I have never taken a class with, but have a pretty solid (and lengthy) personal relationship with (this is all the same university btw...undergrad, potential graduate, and this professor).

To me, it seems like he could write a better letter than some other professor that I've taken a class or two from, who may or may not know who I am.

virions

The only references that really matter are the ones that can speak towards your research experience. What sort of things do you expect this person to vouch for in his or her letter? Do you have any sort of professional experience with them? It's not really clear what you mean by personal relationship. It's not merely enough to have 'Dr. someone' confirm that you are responsible and a pretty cool dude. But it won't hurt to have a personal contact in the department or with any sort of connection to the admissions committee who speaks well of you.

Have you spoken to this professor about the idea? I feel like they should have a pretty decent grasp on whether or not their own letter would be worth anything in this situation (unless they are from a wildly different discipline, maybe).

gsaray

Hello,

I have a related question. I had this teacher (I don't call him professor) who taught one of our classes in 2nd year, when the actual prof was on sabbatical. This guy was a senior Phd student at my school, and last year he graduated, and now looking for a faculty position. I am planning to get a recommendation from him.

1) Is it OK to call him my professor?
2) Would it be a weak recommendation since he's not an associate professor at the moment, and he's very young?

Note that I'm applying for M.Eng, not M.S...

ANY ideas or comments are appreciated.

b@r!um

Why don't you call him your "instructor" - since that's what he was?

juillet

It would be weaker than a recommendation from an assistant professor or associate professor, but it would be better than getting a recommendation from someone who doesn't know you as well. Furthermore, since he's now completed the PhD, he can speak to your ability to complete the PhD as well.

When my students have asked me to write them a recommendation (I am a senior PhD student), I have referred them to the professor - but then again, I have never been the instructor of record for an entire class. If I were, I think I would tell my students that a recommendation from a professor/instructor with a PhD is better, but if they really want me to write them one knowing that anyway, I will.

As for the first question - if by "personal relationship" you mean this person was a mentor or research adviser who never formally taught you but did supervise or advised you in professional activities, then they could be an appropriate reference. If by "personal relationship" you mean this person was like a friend, or a a beloved aunt, then they probably are not a good reference just like any other friend would not be a good reference.