About the quality of reference letters

[k24u21]

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Hello,

I am applying this June, and so far, I have secured 2 decent letters of recommendation. I am thinking of getting one more, but this professor doesn't know me well (unlike other two professors above), and it is likely that she will write me an impersonal one. I am doing well in her class (above 90), and she is not going to write anything bad about me, but I am not sure if I should go for it. I know that some schools only require two letters, and the others three. What should I do?

Thank you

 

[Bis-GMA111]

usually, professors that i knew (even personally) would alter parts of a pre- made recommendation template. i wouldn't worry too much about it, honestly.

however, in my case with the one professor that didn't know me well, he actually interviewed me for 20 minutes to get to know me better before writing my letter. he actually discouraged me from going to dental school and hoped that i would go into research...(talk about an awkward moment).

 

[PMPMD]

Hello,

I am applying this June, and so far, I have secured 2 decent letters of recommendation. I am thinking of getting one more, but this professor doesn't know me well (unlike other two professors above), and it is likely that she will write me an impersonal one. I am doing well in her class (above 90), and she is not going to write anything bad about me, but I am not sure if I should go for it. I know that some schools only require two letters, and the others three. What should I do?

Thank you

Often in LORs, the writer will discuss how they know you, how much time they spent with you, etc. a generically positive letter from someone who only knows you peripherally doesn't hurt, but doesn't really add anything either.

 

[ushaseos]

Most profs will not really write a specialized letter. They have a sort of generic letter that they mildly alter to fit you. I did 2 years of research and published a paper with my PI. His letter is so generic and blah blah; half of the letter was about our lab in general. He did say I have "an outstanding potential for higher education" but that was the only real high point. My point is that it doesn't hurt to get a letter. If you don't like it or feel unsafe, get a non-confidential letter than you can check out. If it doesn't do a good job just don't use it.

 

[kaDa]

Why not get a letter from a Dentist you shadowed? A decent letter from a dentist > decent letter from a 3rd prof IMO

 

[bhagan01]

Personally I would get two science (preferablly one bio, one chem), then one letter from a non-science class like pottery, or history, and the last from a dentist. Totalling the four you are allowed to send.

If you had work study with a professor that you also took a class with that is even better because then you get both professional appearence as a worker and educational aptitude.

IMO this would be the best combo! This combo would also meet almost all admission requirements for most schools!

 

[k24u21]

Thank you everyone for your answers! I am thinking of getting a letter from my dentist. I am applying this June, so I guess there's no time for me to get to know another professor. I think I'll use it as a third letter (it can't hurt, right?)

Thank you

 

[dantemac]

You will need a letter from a dentist. As for the questionable professor letter, it won't matter too much. For my school's pre-med/pre-dent committee I needed 5 letters and had to stretch my means for one, and it turned out to be a great letter based on just my A+ in the class. Not a problem IMO