Can you request a withdrawl of a recommendation

[Perseverant 1]

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OK, let me explain. After working with one of my recommendation authors, i have learned that he/she is one of the most unethical, immoral individuals i have ever met. His/her integrity and concern for patients is completely non-existent. I absolutely do NOT want his/her letter or opinion of my character to have anything to do with getting me in (or keeping me out of )med school.
So, what would you do if you were in my situation? Can i request my committee to withdraw this letter of recommendation? And for those of you who are curious, i have not read the letter. I have no idea if it was a positive or negative recommendation.
Has anyone ever heard of a situation like this?

 

[VienneseWaltz]

I'm gonna venture, No. I'm sorry to hear you've had such a bad experience with your recommender, but I believe you will cause trouble for yourself if you attempt to withdraw this letter. I think it will seem as if you have found out what is in it and don't like it. Also, if this recommender is a supervisor for a major activity, it will seem very odd that you have not included a letter for this person. (I had 2 schools indicate that people who did research MUST have a letter from the PI.) Do you have reason to think the letter is unfair? If you think it's both bad AND unfair, you should talk to your pre-med advisor. Otherwise, I would leave things alone. Your recommender might be a bad person, but it doesn't mean he or she doesn't think highly of you.

 

[JlazyMD]

I disagree with VienneseWaltz, you certainly can ask the committee to remove a letter of recommendation. Whether you should depends... One thing- has the committee already written their composite letter? If so, it will include info from all your letters and I have a feeling they will be VERY reluctant to rewrite it. In that case I would not withdraw the letter. My advice, if you are on good terms with your pre-med advisor or someone on the committee, ask them what you should do. They'll know better than anyone in this forum.

 

[Moskeeto]

I know at UCD, the committee told us only they could decide what letters were sent out, but I say if they haven't been sent out yet theres no harm in asking. what did s/he do to deserve this dubious honor of getting the letter pulled. it seems risky to me, that whole don't cut off your nose to spite your face sorta thing.

 

[carrigallen]

I recommend having it pulled. It's your file, you and only you determine what goes in it. You don't have control over what your recommendations say, but you do have control over which you choose to use. However, I would pull it only if the recommendation does not portray you positively.

Have your premed advisor evaluate/review your letter packet, they should be able to help you with this without technically breaking any rules.