Letter of Reference

cosmicfish
Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Talked to at least 30 professors and faculty members from various schools, including the ones I’m applying to, and all of them said there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it and the letter would have almost as much weight as a professor’s.



Then why are you asking this on here? I have discussed writing letters with exactly 6 current or former faculty at 3 schools (Penn State, UIUC, Northwestern), and have passed on what I can. If you feel your research is better, then go with it! Departments are often very unique, and while my schools may eschew grad student letters, yours may welcome them! Personally, I would not count on it, but that’s me.