Grad school recommendation from part-time faculty?

Question

I'm an undergrad, and there's a teacher who I've had twice, got A's in both of her classes, BUT she is not a full-time faculty member and doesn't even have a PhD. Do you think it's ok if I get her to write me a recommendation letter for Grad School? The reason I ask is I know some admissions committees give preference to those who got letters of recommendation written by full time faculty members in the same field that the student is applying for.

By the way-
The schools I'm applying for do not specify whether they want/prefer recommendations from full-time faculty, so that's why I'm asking for your opinions. Thanks.
What do you all think?

Answer 1

Here's my advice:

If you have two strong letters from faculty members in the field of study you want to pursue on the graduate level, then sure, add a letter from the non-degreed faculty member as your third letter.

You do NOT want a situation in which she is the ONLY faculty member in your field of study who is writing for you.

In graduate admissions, great weight is placed on letters from faculty members with national reputations in their area of study. These tenured, or at least tenure-track, and widely published folks are the people whose letters will do you the most good.

When it comes to awarding fellowships and assistantships, it is going to be a combination of your GREs, your letters of recommendation, and your personal statement that puts you in the running.

Sometimes, letters from well-known scholars are the deciding factor in admissions, especially in the case of a student with a marginal GPA in the area of study. This is because some schools inflate grades, and others do not. A scholar with a national reputation is going to be able to convey to a committee some inside information about the rigor of the undergraduate program in which s/he teaches.

I hope this helps!

Best wishes to you.

Answer 2

What is important is that the person writing the recomendation knows you. Too often faculty members become overwhelmed by requests for letters of recomendation many from students they barely know. They end up writing very generic letters stating what grades you received. This information is on your transcripts. If this instructor has worked with you and knows you she will be able to write a personal letter. Even if she doesn't have a Ph.D. or is not fulltime she is still a professional and her letter will be treated with respect.

Answer 3

I think leters from full time, Ph.D professors carry more weight.