Can someone clarify this?

[pharmaddict11]

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Can someone clarify the table in the ASHP recommendation form?

I got that "Upper 10 %" means that I am among the top 10 % compared to my peers. This means that upper 10% is better than upper 25% which is better than upper 50%. Do I understand that properly??

Surprisingly, my preceptor who is one of my references understood that in a different way... She thinks that "Upper 50 %" is the best option in the table because she thinks that compared to my peers, I am better than 50 % of them.

She confused me!!

I hope someone could clarify that asap as I have to submit my recommendation letters soon.

Thanks

 

[ADN1226]

I had understood it to be Upper 10% = top 10% as you had mentioned. I was able to see some of my recommender's checkmarks for me and they understood it the same way.

 

[KARM12]

We use this form. We consider upper 10% to be the best. This means to us that you are the top 10% of all students she has precepted. It goes along the lines of class rank...upper 10% is always better than upper 50%.

 

[Garfield3d]

Can someone clarify the table in the ASHP recommendation form?

I got that "Upper 10 %" means that I am among the top 10 % compared to my peers. This means that upper 10% is better than upper 25% which is better than upper 50%. Do I understand that properly??

Surprisingly, my preceptor who is one of my references understood that in a different way... She thinks that "Upper 50 %" is the best option in the table because she thinks that compared to my peers, I am better than 50 % of them.

She confused me!!

I hope someone could clarify that asap as I have to submit my recommendation letters soon.

Thanks

You're reading it correctly. Your preceptor has the wrong idea.

Your preceptor is reading it like "50th percentile." Percentile means that you are better than everything below that percent. So, if you are in the 99th percentile, you are better than 99% of your peers.

However, the recommendation says percent, not percentile. With percentages, you have to specify a direction of comparison, and the recommendation form says "upper 10%" of your class; as in, look at your class, and take the upper 10% of that class.

So, for your sake, do not let your preceptor put down "upper 50%" unless she truly hates you.

--Garfield3d

 

[pharmaddict11]

Thank you all..

Garfield3D, that's a thorough explanation, it's very clear now..

One more thing, if I have most of the chechmarks in the first column "Upper 10%" , is that credible or it may be considered a sign of exaggeration?!

 

[Garfield3d]

Thank you all..

Garfield3D, that's a thorough explanation, it's very clear now..

One more thing, if I have most of the chechmarks in the first column "Upper 10%" , is that credible or it may be considered a sign of exaggeration?!

I don't think it would sound like exaggeration at first glance. It all depends on what is written on the letter of recommendation. If the writer sounds really vague or half-hearted in the letter, then the form begins to look suspicious. However, if it is a well-written letter that elaborates on your characteristics, then the "upper 10%" marks make a lot of sense. Someone has to be in the upper 10%, and there's no reason why you can't be one of those exemplary students unless you give them a reason to think otherwise.

--Garfield3d

 

[pharmaddict11]

Thank you Garfield3d!