Posted on May 22, 2020
Can I get some advice on who to ask for a graduate school LOR?
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I’m looking to apply to graduate school and it says I need two professional LORs. The university gives some examples (professors, mentors, current/immediate previous supervisor) of who I can ask. I’m a little iffy about some of them. I’ve been out of college five years, I don’t think it’s acceptable to ask a professor at this point. My military supervisors/mentors are all in very different fields than my degree program. I’m not opposed to asking them but I don’t want to ask them to make a recommendation when they might not be able to connect my work ethic and performance to the program. Should I reach out to someone working in the field? What are some strategies I can use to get the best possible LOR while asking relevant people to write them?
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Posted >1 y ago
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In my experience, unless you are looking into a program that is top 1%, they really aren't going to make an admission decision based on your letters of rec. As long as your references don't speak negatively about you, it is more of a check the box. Any two references that meet their criteria will do. Be prepared to write the letters of rec yourself for the recommender to review and sign. I've had to write at least 90% of mine myself; it's actually a lot harder than you would think.
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SPC (Join to see)
Thanks for the info! I’ll prepare myself for that possibility.
Quick question. I snooped on your page and saw you have your DNP. Why have you chosen to remain enlisted?
Quick question. I snooped on your page and saw you have your DNP. Why have you chosen to remain enlisted?
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CPT (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) - I'm actually just about to finish my DNP after I complete my DNP research project this summer. I got my MSN in 2018 and my BSN in 2014. Honestly, I've considered going the officer route, but I still have some things I would like to do on the enlisted side first. As a Guardsman, if I took a direct commission in the Nurse Corps, my whole life would be nursing. I like that my current Guard job gives me a break from my civilian career in healthcare.
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LTC Kevin B.
SPC (Join to see) - The admissions page states "The School of Public Health seeks students with intellectual and interpersonal competencies as well as those with potential for leadership. The school has set a high priority on establishing a student body that is representative of the nation's population. We strive to recruit and to admit applicants from underrepresented minority groups who can contribute to the richness of our student population and to that of the nation's public health professionals."
Based on that, I recommend getting a military recommender who will address the leadership aspect they're seeking. They could also address the interpersonal competencies. Plus, being a veteran does give you somewhat of a diversity angle (although they may be looking for ethnic and/or socioeconomic diversity).
I'd also recommend looking for someone you might know who works in the broader field of public health. The military is filled with people like that. They could be doing anything like health promotion, wellness, health education, prevention, preventive medicine, etc. Finding someone working within that global health lane is probably too restrictive, but looking in the broader public health realm opens things up for you.
Based on that, I recommend getting a military recommender who will address the leadership aspect they're seeking. They could also address the interpersonal competencies. Plus, being a veteran does give you somewhat of a diversity angle (although they may be looking for ethnic and/or socioeconomic diversity).
I'd also recommend looking for someone you might know who works in the broader field of public health. The military is filled with people like that. They could be doing anything like health promotion, wellness, health education, prevention, preventive medicine, etc. Finding someone working within that global health lane is probably too restrictive, but looking in the broader public health realm opens things up for you.
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SPC (Join to see)
LTC Kevin B. Thanks for the feedback! I’ll def talk to some of our public health people. I’m not worried about the diversity aspect I can sell being Hispanic and LGBT.
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