LOR Opinions Desired
Right-y-o. I've got a bunch of schools I will be applying to, and have been working on applications and such. One of my top choices is University of Florida, and I recently sat down with one of the deans of my college to chat about grad school in general, but it turns out he actually did his doctorate at Florida as well (in a different subject, but the same department), and had nothing but awesome things to say about the school, the area, etc.
Now, I've already got my three LOR writers (although some schools, like Florida, only want two). These are three professors that have all had me in at least three classes, are familiar with different types of writing I've done, and have a good understanding of how my work has progressed over the years, so I know they'd be able to write me good letters. The dean, while an excellent teacher who also liked my writing, has only ever had me for one class. Still, I'm debating whether or not I should ask him to write one of my LOR's for Florida since he's an alumni and he's a dean, but there's also the fact that he went a really, really long time ago.
I'm probably answering my own question here, but I still wanted to get opinions because I do want to know what people think about the influence LOR writers sending stuff out to their alma maters has on selection committees. I'm also wondering if I should mention him at all, like even if I just say I talked with him and he made me feel really excited about the school.
Now, I've already got my three LOR writers (although some schools, like Florida, only want two). These are three professors that have all had me in at least three classes, are familiar with different types of writing I've done, and have a good understanding of how my work has progressed over the years, so I know they'd be able to write me good letters. The dean, while an excellent teacher who also liked my writing, has only ever had me for one class. Still, I'm debating whether or not I should ask him to write one of my LOR's for Florida since he's an alumni and he's a dean, but there's also the fact that he went a really, really long time ago.
I'm probably answering my own question here, but I still wanted to get opinions because I do want to know what people think about the influence LOR writers sending stuff out to their alma maters has on selection committees. I'm also wondering if I should mention him at all, like even if I just say I talked with him and he made me feel really excited about the school.