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I understand that academic LOR's >>>>>> professional LOR's but I'm a decade removed from undergrad and didn't really develop any close relationships with nor stay in touch with any professors. If I tried, I could maybe dig up a professor who out of the kindness of their heart would write me a tepid LOR despite not remembering me nor seeing me in 10+ years. For that reason, academic LOR's are out for me.

So I have to go with professional LOR's only. I work for a pretty notable investment bank and already have two supervisors (one current, one former) who have committed to writing me LOR's. My former supervisor, who I was very close with, wrote my LOR almost immediately. He's a high-ranking person with a fancy title and wrote a glowing LOR.

My current supervisor I've only worked under for a few months. He's spread a little thin right now at work and clearly doesn't have the time to commit to my LOR. I've mentioned it a few times but I don't want to pester him for it, knowing that he has a lot on his plate to begin with.

I really don't think he's going to deliver any time soon... so that brings me to my next option: a coworker. We're technically the same title/level, although he is older and was a level above me for some time until I got promoted. He's a much better writer and has worked with me much longer than my current supervisor. I have no doubt that he can write a better LOR, with specific examples, and turn it over basically in a day or two.

All of my applications are pending this second LOR. I know that a coworker LOR is really at the bottom of the totem poll, but would it be that bad if I just went with him instead of waiting an indefinite amount of time for my current supervisor to come through?

Is this second letter going to make or break me or should I just get my coworker, who himself is accomplished and sporting a fancy job title, to write this second letter so I can complete my apps?

For background, I'm a splitter with a >170 LSAT, strong personal statement about growing up in an illegal immigrant household, and have (humblebrag) an impressive resume complete not only with some prestigious names but also a handful of professional certifications.

I really just want to complete these apps and move on. I know that my LOR situation isn't great but I'm hoping that it's not a big enough deal to swing me in either direction anyway.

cuzzydunlop wrote:I understand that academic LOR's >>>>>> professional LOR's but I'm a decade removed from undergrad and didn't really develop any close relationships with nor stay in touch with any professors. If I tried, I could maybe dig up a professor who out of the kindness of their heart would write me a tepid LOR despite not remembering me nor seeing me in 10+ years. For that reason, academic LOR's are out for me.

So I have to go with professional LOR's only. I work for a pretty notable investment bank and already have two supervisors (one current, one former) who have committed to writing me LOR's. My former supervisor, who I was very close with, wrote my LOR almost immediately. He's a high-ranking person with a fancy title and wrote a glowing LOR.

My current supervisor I've only worked under for a few months. He's spread a little thin right now at work and clearly doesn't have the time to commit to my LOR. I've mentioned it a few times but I don't want to pester him for it, knowing that he has a lot on his plate to begin with.

I really don't think he's going to deliver any time soon... so that brings me to my next option: a coworker. We're technically the same title/level, although he is older and was a level above me for some time until I got promoted. He's a much better writer and has worked with me much longer than my current supervisor. I have no doubt that he can write a better LOR, with specific examples, and turn it over basically in a day or two.

All of my applications are pending this second LOR. I know that a coworker LOR is really at the bottom of the totem poll, but would it be that bad if I just went with him instead of waiting an indefinite amount of time for my current supervisor to come through?

Is this second letter going to make or break me or should I just get my coworker, who himself is accomplished and sporting a fancy job title, to write this second letter so I can complete my apps?

For background, I'm a splitter with a >170 LSAT, strong personal statement about growing up in an illegal immigrant household, and have (humblebrag) an impressive resume complete not only with some prestigious names but also a handful of professional certifications.

I really just want to complete these apps and move on. I know that my LOR situation isn't great but I'm hoping that it's not a big enough deal to swing me in either direction anyway.

You said yourself your co-worker would write the better letter. So go with him. Although it's of course not ideal to have a co-worker write it, I can't imagine it hurting you if it's still a good letter. I've read adcom blogs that say quality of letter trumps the identity of the person writing it.

Also this is just a pet peeve of mine, but that's not a humblebrag, it's just a brag, which is totally fine, but goodness why do people not understand this word