a so-so recommendation?

[overthinker2]

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hey guys...i got to read my recommendation today from a professor who knows me extremely well...she's my research mentor...a former teacher where i was ranked 1st in the class...she's also the biology department chairperson...i have to say i am extremely disappointed for someone who has known me for 3+ years...not one personal event was mentioned...she didnt mention hours and vacation time i have spent in her lab...all the lil things i've done for her...

the recommendation was in a form format...there were about 10 categories where she checked off "superior" for all of them...she wrote me one tiny lil paragraph under a section entitled "additional comments"...needless to say that paragraph was pretty generic....

what should i do? is it inappropriate/rude/ungrateful to ask her to rewrite it in a letter format and to add a more personal touch? i'm applying to my state schools so i dont know if this will affect me negatively...i mean..it's not a bad evaluation...but its not at all great either...esp since this was "THE" rec I was counting on to make a great impression...

should i not even worry about it?

 

[ICanDoThis]

My advisor told me that this is all the recommendation letter is supposed to include. Basically they have a list where they check off things (you got all superiors! that's GREAT). Then, they have a very limited space to write a small (but to the point) paragraph about your characteristics.

It sounds like she has done just that. I wouldn't worry. 👍

 

[PreMed4Dummies]

first off how much time do you have until you're turning you application in? and how early did you ask your professor for the recommendation?

its likely that your professor was in such a busy state that they didn't take the time to put in a bit more effort for you. such a generic recommendation isn't going to be very helpful for your application, so if you know the professor well i would consider stopping by their office and politely explaining what your expectations were in asking them for the recommedation. this will be difficult to do and not sound rude (as in beggars can't be choosers) but can be done.

 

[soy sauce]

If she let you read the rec (most profs keep letters confidential), then she might be amenable to changing it.

IMHO, you should tactfully write her a letter explaining that she is your most important recommender, and then mention how your dedication/intelligence/etc. is apparent in your work with her. Be specific too!

 

[notdeadyet]

IMHO, you should tactfully write her a letter explaining that she is your most important recommender, and then mention how your dedication/intelligence/etc. is apparent in your work with her. Be specific too!

Do this only if you can elevate tact to an art form....

OP- Why have you read the LOR? Did she send you a copy to proof or just so that you could read it as a courtesy? If it's the former, you can say for revisions, that while she said, "blah blah blah" in her paragraph, you were hoping for her to expound on your sense of dedication, etc. etc. etc.

But if she sent it to you as a courtesy? Then before talking to her, walk in her shoes. An undergrad has asked her to take some time to write up a Letter of Recommendation. She takes a bit of time and knocks one out. In addition, she lets the student see it so that he'll know what he's interviewing with. The undergrad then turns around and asks her to write a better one?

This is what I mean by tact. Tread very lightly.

 

[shadowclaws]

You should give her a copy of your resume and maybe ps so she has stuff to write. She might have forgotten those activities you have done together, so some people even draft out a letter before hand.

 

[TheRealMD]

You should give her a copy of your resume and maybe ps so she has stuff to write. She might have forgotten those activities you have done together, so some people even draft out a letter before hand.

Woah, hold on. Change those "maybe"'s to "definitely"s. What exactly did you give her when you told her to write your LOR? And did you honestly expect her to remember you that much (I'm sure she has lots of things to do if she's as great as you make her to be). Never place burden on the professor and expect them to remember stuff.

here's what should given to any professor that you ask a LOR from:

1) Personal statement - A LOR written without one is going to be generic, no matter what.
2) Transcripts - Good grades also shows testament to work ethic over long period of time.
3) Resume - A list of activities that you've done
4) Picture of yourself - unless your professor writes the letter of rec in front of you, I doubt they'll have associated your name with your face. This is more important for popular professors that teach hundreds of students at a time.
5) Cover letter - asking why you would like a letter of recommendation frm your professor. Don't forget the thank yous!
6) A nice folder to put it in (if you can get one with your affliated university, all the better. presentation is everything!)

Feel free to comment on my suggestions, this is what I plan on doing as soon as I finish my personal statement.

 

[CTtarheel]

Woah, hold on. Change those "maybe"'s to "definitely"s. What exactly did you give her when you told her to write your LOR? And did you honestly expect her to remember you that much (I'm sure she has lots of things to do if she's as great as you make her to be). Never place burden on the professor and expect them to remember stuff.

here's what should given to any professor that you ask a LOR from:

1) Personal statement - A LOR written without one is going to be generic, no matter what.
2) Transcripts - Good grades also shows testament to work ethic over long period of time.
3) Resume - A list of activities that you've done
4) Picture of yourself - unless your professor writes the letter of rec in front of you, I doubt they'll have associated your name with your face. This is more important for popular professors that teach hundreds of students at a time.
5) Cover letter - asking why you would like a letter of recommendation frm your professor. Don't forget the thank yous!
6) A nice folder to put it in (if you can get one with your affliated university, all the better. presentation is everything!)

Feel free to comment on my suggestions, this is what I plan on doing as soon as I finish my personal statement.

GREAT ADVICE!!!

-all of my recomenders specifically asked for this info, if you don't have the PS yet, at least give them a resume and transcript (unofficial internet printout should be ok), and then forward the PS to them as soon as you get it done (this can also serve as a gentle reminder for them to finish the letter!)