Advice on a poor letter of recommendation

[baohouse08]

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Hi guys,

While I have three for-sure great letters of recommendation from a PT and a couple of professors in my major, some schools require that I have two letters of PTs.

I asked another PT that I volunteered under to write me a letter of recommendation, and she said that she would not be able to write a strong one (based on what volunteers do at that clinic), and suggested that I ask a professor or someone that I had worked under. She said she would write one if I really needed it, but it would not be a very strong LOR.

My dilemma is that if I ask her to write one anyways, will it look bad to all the other schools (that don't require two PT LOR's) that I am applying for? Would it be better in this case to just not apply for the two schools that do require two PT LOR's?

 

[Myosin]

Hi guys,

While I have three for-sure great letters of recommendation from a PT and a couple of professors in my major, some schools require that I have two letters of PTs.

I asked another PT that I volunteered under to write me a letter of recommendation, and she said that she would not be able to write a strong one (based on what volunteers do at that clinic), and suggested that I ask a professor or someone that I had worked under. She said she would write one if I really needed it, but it would not be a very strong LOR.

My dilemma is that if I ask her to write one anyways, will it look bad to all the other schools (that don't require two PT LOR's) that I am applying for? Would it be better in this case to just not apply for the two schools that do require two PT LOR's?

What she is saying is actually code for one, or both, or two possible things.

The first being that she just doesn't want to write the letter and said that as a way to scare you off from asking her.

The second being that she genuinely wasn't impressed with your performance and/or attitude during your hours.

Whatever the reason, it's irrelevant at this point. Don't have her do a letter for you. Find another PT and work with them as much as possible between now and then. Explain to them ahead of time what you're hoping to accomplish and just tell the new PT that for unfortunate reasons, one of your original PTs can no longer do a letter for you. Don't tell them specifically why though.

There was a guideline in one of the MD forums that talks about LORs. You absolutely never want bad or generic letters. If you have her do the letter for you, she's either going to half ass it and write a really generic one or she's going to throw you under the bus. Neither is worth risking it.

Best of luck

 

[NewTestament]

I agree with Myosin. Find someone else who will write it. All you need is two PTs to write your an LOR. Find another clinic, and ask the PT before you start observing that you would like an LOR. The last thing you want is a PT to write a letter telling schools why they shouldn't accept you. I had this happen to me, I dropped the subject, and thanked her for allowing me to volunteer in her clinic.

Kevin

 

[easb]

Do you guys think that it is appropriate to ask for LOR upfront? On the one hand, it gives PTs the idea what we will need at the end. On the other hand, how can they promise us a letter if they see us at the first time?

 

[janie3]

I had a similar experience. I asked a PT if she could fill out a reference form for me. I sensed hesitation, but she did not want to say no so she still said yes. But because of the vibe I got, I just dropped it, and I asked another PT that had no hesitation at all when I asked and was happy to write one for me.
Where I am going with this...if you sensed any hesitation at all, there is probably a good reason for that. You want to ask someone who will not have any hesitation at all. And if she told you that she cannot write you a strong one, she is probably giving you a warning or a heads up that she is not the right person to fill one out. Its a good thing that this PT was being honest with you. The last thing you want is for a PT to write you a LOR that is not strong when you thought it would be strong because the PT never said anything to you.
I would ask another PT.

I did not bring up LORs to begin with, I only asked after knowing each PT for awhile. But I don't think it would hurt to mention it at the beginning to see if that is something one of the PT's would be willing to do for you when the time comes and after getting to know you more. If they seem unwilling to write one evn after getting to know you, you can volunteer/work at another clinic that does seem willing after getting to know you.