Bad Recommendation Letter?

[thatguy101]

So I got a REC letter from a professor who has been known to write less than glowing rec letters. Unfortunatley I was in desperate need for a rec letter and didn't have another choice but to ask him. I read the one he made me and I'm wondering if its even worth sending in. He wrote that my academic record was "a bit spotty" because I didn't do very well in my math classes and I didn't get A's in all of my science classes (I have a 3.45 GPA BTW). He also wrote that he didn't know me very well even though I met with him several times to try and get to know him-_-. He did highlight my extensive medical experience and said I excelled in his classes (Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry). He also said that I would be a good candidate for medical school, but Im just concerned that his other "remarks" might have ruined that letter, and I don't want that letter to sink my applications.
Thoughts?

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[ModernAlchemist]

I wouldn't use it unless you absolutely had to. A bad LOR or even a lukewarm one can really hurt you. I've heard this from many adcom representatives.

 

[Temperature101]

i wouldn't use it unless you absolutely had to. A bad lor or even a lukewarm one can really hurt you. I've heard this from many adcom representatives.

+1..My friend did not get into Boston University in 2011 because of a bad LOR. He reapply the next cycle and they told her that she should replace one LOR from an organic chem prof because that LOR was the reason they did not accept her.

 

[corpsman33]

So I got a REC letter from a professor who has been known to write less than glowing rec letters. Unfortunatley I was in desperate need for a rec letter and didn't have another choice but to ask him. I read the one he made me and I'm wondering if its even worth sending in. He wrote that my academic record was "a bit spotty" because I didn't do very well in my math classes and I didn't get A's in all of my science classes (I have a 3.45 GPA BTW). He also wrote that he didn't know me very well even though I met with him several times to try and get to know him-_-. He did highlight my extensive medical experience and said I excelled in his classes (Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry). He also said that I would be a good candidate for medical school, but Im just concerned that his other "remarks" might have ruined that letter, and I don't want that letter to sink my applications.
Thoughts?

All of my letters were "confidential" letters of recommendation through Interfolio, which meant I could not see them during the application process (they carry more weight that way), but you have the benefit of seeing your letter in advance. That being said.....I would never ask a professor to write me a letter if I was not 100% sure they would write me an extremely positive recommendation.

Since you have already seen your letter and it contains a, less than ideal recommendation, I would absolutely throw the letter away. I have heard horror stories of applicants with incredible medical school applications (great GPA, MCAT, volunteer, medical experience, etc.) that were rejected from every school simply due to one bad letter. I think letters of recommendation need to be exceptional, otherwise they make you stand out for the wrong reasons.

I would try and do everything in your power to seek out another professor for a letter. Hunt down old professors or ask another current professor (even if you may not know them that well - it can't be that much worse than a letter that calls you a "spotty" student). Provide the Professor with a professionally made portfolio of your achievements, including transcripts, MCAT, volunteer activities, etc. so that they will have something to write about (especially if you do not know them that well) and pray for the best.

Good luck!

 

[thatguy101]

At this point I don't know what else to do. I have had such a hard time getting rec letters form professors. Most of the ones I wanted to ask left the country and I couldn't get in contact with them and the other professor I was supposed to get a reference form was in a car accident and cant write me the letter. My only other option is going back to my university and getting a committee letter and I don't know how long that's going to take:/

 

[Cuongoff]

At this point I don't know what else to do. I have had such a hard time getting rec letters form professors. Most of the ones I wanted to ask left the country and I couldn't get in contact with them and the other professor I was supposed to get a reference form was in a car accident and cant write me the letter. My only other option is going back to my university and getting a committee letter and I don't know how long that's going to take:/

All of this should have been already. You could have requested a committee letter while waiting for your primaries to be verified or waiting to receive your MCAT scores.

 

[angldrps]

At this point I don't know what else to do. I have had such a hard time getting rec letters form professors. Most of the ones I wanted to ask left the country and I couldn't get in contact with them and the other professor I was supposed to get a reference form was in a car accident and cant write me the letter. My only other option is going back to my university and getting a committee letter and I don't know how long that's going to take:/

I was in a situation where I had to get a back up letter in case my ''research'' letter didn't satisfy the requirement for science letter. What I did was email about 15 different professors, even those whom I didn't really remember, and I got 1 positive response back. I met with this professor, he talked to me for about 30-40mins to get to know me (my background, ECs, my future goals etc) and I gave him my transcript, personal statement, and my CV, and he wrote me a LOR. Since all my LORs are confidential, I don't know what the letter says but from the conversation we had, I am guessing that it isn't going to be a "bad" letter. At least I hope so!

I suggest you do what I did by emailing a ton of your professors. If you want, you can PM me and I can dig up my old emails to send you a copy of how I requested my letter via email.

 

[thatguy101]

Well I have been in Africa for the last two months working at a medical clinic and wasn't able to check the contents of the letter until I got back, 2 weeks ago. I tried getting a rec letter from one of my pre health advisers and they have been VERY unhelpful to say the least. I have not had a great experience with the faculty at my university so I was hoping not to have to go through that process. But I guess I don't have a choice now:/

 

[angldrps]

Well I have been in Africa for the last two months working at a medical clinic and wasn't able to check the contents of the letter until I got back, 2 weeks ago. I tried getting a rec letter from one of my pre health advisers and they have been VERY unhelpful to say the least. I have not had a great experience with the faculty at my university so I was hoping not to have to go through that process. But I guess I don't have a choice now:/

just an FYI, you will be putting yourself at a disadvantage if your letters are not confidential. Most secondaries ask if you waived your right to see all your LORs or not. It is highly recommended that your letters are confidential.

 

[thatguy101]

My other 2 letters are confidential, but because of the rumors I made his unconfidential. Glad I did.

 

[Cuongoff]

My other 2 letters are confidential, but because of the rumors I made his unconfidential. Glad I did.

Are your other two letters good? If you used interfolio, and your pre-med advisor has access to them, they can tell you if the letter is good or not and whether you should send it.

 

[thatguy101]

Yes my other 2 letters are good. One was from a DO and the other from one of my other science professors, both of whom I know very well.

 

[timmaycakes]

Throw it out. Unless the professor somehow used your "weaknesses" to weave together a narrative that supporting you as a strong candidate for medical school, it's going to hurt you. Also your letter wasn't confidential. Adcoms absolutely view this as a giant red flag.

I'm sorry you had to deal with that. Most profs understand that for medical schools, they have to produce the best letter possible (with minimal negative statements) based on their interactions with you and your class performance. Heck, most of them will appreciate the fact that you limited your interaction with them to meaningful questions...unlike the typical premed brown-noser who bothers him/her 3 times a week. In my humble opinion, either the professor doesn't know how to write a med school rec, or he doesn't care enough to want an admission for you. Both possibilities don't bode well.

I had a very similar situation this cycle. Get in touch with every single science professor who has taught you. Check up on your grad instructors: they may be post-docs by now. As a last resort, consider taking another upper division class with a personable instructor who you feel would produce a good letter (provided you ace it). Leave no stone unturned. You might be surprised at who your strongest letters come from.

 

[angldrps]

I find it appalling that a professor will agree to and then actually take the time out to write a "bad" LOR. There is no way a professor doesn't know how much a bad letter can damage a person's chances. Why not just refuse the student's request in the first place if you don't have nice things to say about the student instead of jeopardizing some one's future. I still freak out over the thought that this is something that may happen to me. Hopefully, I am just being paranoid.

 

[MedPR]

So I got a REC letter from a professor who has been known to write less than glowing rec letters. Unfortunatley I was in desperate need for a rec letter and didn't have another choice but to ask him. I read the one he made me and I'm wondering if its even worth sending in. He wrote that my academic record was "a bit spotty" because I didn't do very well in my math classes and I didn't get A's in all of my science classes (I have a 3.45 GPA BTW). He also wrote that he didn't know me very well even though I met with him several times to try and get to know him-_-. He did highlight my extensive medical experience and said I excelled in his classes (Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry). He also said that I would be a good candidate for medical school, but Im just concerned that his other "remarks" might have ruined that letter, and I don't want that letter to sink my applications.
Thoughts?

Don't use it.

 

[rzoo14]

Don't use the letter.

All of my letters were "confidential" letters of recommendation through Interfolio, which meant I could not see them during the application process (they carry more weight that way), but you have the benefit of seeing your letter in advance. That being said.....I would never ask a professor to write me a letter if I was not 100% sure they would write me an extremely positive recommendation.

Since you have already seen your letter and it contains a, less than ideal recommendation, I would absolutely throw the letter away. I have heard horror stories of applicants with incredible medical school applications (great GPA, MCAT, volunteer, medical experience, etc.) that were rejected from every school simply due to one bad letter. I think letters of recommendation need to be exceptional, otherwise they make you stand out for the wrong reasons.

I would try and do everything in your power to seek out another professor for a letter. Hunt down old professors or ask another current professor (even if you may not know them that well - it can't be that much worse than a letter that calls you a "spotty" student). Provide the Professor with a professionally made portfolio of your achievements, including transcripts, MCAT, volunteer activities, etc. so that they will have something to write about (especially if you do not know them that well) and pray for the best.

Good luck!

+1. Email as many professors you've taken courses with as you can. Hopefully someone replies back. Get them the portfolio and hope for the best.

I find it appalling that a professor will agree to and then actually take the time out to write a "bad" LOR. There is no way a professor doesn't know how much a bad letter can damage a person's chances. Why not just refuse the student's request in the first place if you don't have nice things to say about the student instead of jeopardizing some one's future. I still freak out over the thought that this is something that may happen to me. Hopefully, I am just being paranoid.

I don't understand why a professor would do something like that unless he had something against the student. If you don't have anything nice to say about the student, simply refuse to write one. Its better to refuse a student than to write a bad letter.

Anyways, good luck with your application cycle. Hope you find someone.

 

[Goro]

Absolutely do NOT use this letter! If I or my colleagues saw it, you'd head right down to reject or low-wait list.

Surely, you must have other faculty who know you well enough to write you an LOR?????

So I got a REC letter from a professor who has been known to write less than glowing rec letters. Unfortunatley I was in desperate need for a rec letter and didn't have another choice but to ask him. I read the one he made me and I'm wondering if its even worth sending in. He wrote that my academic record was "a bit spotty" because I didn't do very well in my math classes and I didn't get A's in all of my science classes (I have a 3.45 GPA BTW). He also wrote that he didn't know me very well even though I met with him several times to try and get to know him-_-. He did highlight my extensive medical experience and said I excelled in his classes (Biochemistry and Advanced Biochemistry). He also said that I would be a good candidate for medical school, but Im just concerned that his other "remarks" might have ruined that letter, and I don't want that letter to sink my applications.
Thoughts?

 

[thatguy101]

Well I was able to get another science teacher to write me a letter but that means I have only one. I'm trying to get one from my pre health advisers but they have been the most unhelpful people I have ever had the misfortune of talking too. I've been fighting with them for weeks and I finally went to the assistant dean to help me. She says she would give me a letter of introduction, which I guess is better than what I have now. She said she would send it to me when she finished and now shes telling me she does not want to send it to me. I really don't trust these people so I think I'm just going to make it non confidential.

 

[timmaycakes]

It's been mentioned time and time again by previous posters that non-confidential recommendations are giant red flags to admissions committees.

And why would you use a rec from someone you don't trust?

 

[thatguy101]

Because I DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE!!! After talking with her I have made the letter confidential. The faculty at my university have done nothing but screw me over the entire time I have been there. Hence the reason I don't trust them. Fingers crossed that the letter does not sink my application.

 

[timmaycakes]

thatguy101, I understand that your options were limited. I am merely pointing out that applying to med school is an all or nothing proposition. If one LOR is poor, shaky, or nonconfidential, it will probably torpedo your chances of getting in this cycle. If sufficiently bad, it could also affect your subsequent reapplication.

As mentioned before, I was in a very similar situation with a terrible pre-med committee and whatnot. I was prepared to spend an extra year taking upper division classes to snag a good recommendation rather than risk even a neutral letter. I trust very few people with the most important juncture in my life. 😀

It sounds like you went through a lot of deliberation with this decision and I wish you the best of luck with the rec.

 

[thatguy101]

I understand its just frustrating that I have been busting my butt trying to get this stuff done for the last 6 months and I keep getting screwed over. From that one professor to the advisers, it just seems like they are deliberately trying to ruin my chances. I got secondaries back from every school I applied to and I know I have an excellent application. On top of that I just don't know if I will have the financial means to apply again next cycle:/ It's just a lot to deal with at once.