Determining if a rec is bad?

[rickyricardo]

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So I did research for a little over a year for this small PI early in collegehood. The results were ok but somehow we managed to even get published in some no-name journal. While working on this project, I'll admit that I was not the greatest student. I would frequently get stuff into him late and not do everything he asked, but hey, I was a freshman in college.

Then, I was supposed to do another big project with him and sorta fell off the face of the planet and never got back to him. Since then, I've gotten back in touch with him to ask his help on a education project I was thinking of doing, and we now work together teaching high school kids in the area about biomedical engineering (he and I are both interested in education).

We get along okay, but we're not like best friends, but I asked him for a letter two months ago or so. He turned it in today, about a week later than I needed it. I am worried that he may write something less-than-great and even say something negative about early research experiences. When I asked if he could write a "strong rec letter" he said yes, and later when we were talking about what it takes to get into med school, he said "well then it sounds like you have great chances," and I said "well letters of rec are important, and especially yours since its a letter about research and community service in one" and he said "well yeah it's going to be good."

I'm still worried that he might have written something bad though! If he wanted to he could probably write terrible things about how I wasn't punctual, lied about getting work done when I hadn't even started it yet, or worse. I've heard even one negative sentence in a LOR can kill you. Is there a tactful way to ask him if there's anything negative before I send this off to 15+ schools?

 

[elyswim]

He would have to REALLY hate you as well as be fairly immature if he was going to write you a bad rec letter. In my experience, most teachers are honest if you ask them to write you a letter of rec. Since you asked him if he would write you a good one, I would believe he will write you a good one.

 

[BlueElmo]

Sounds like it will be a decent letter. Trust him more.

 

[Muffinpuff]

Next time when you ask for rec letters, ask if the writer can write you a strong letter, if they aren't sure, ask if there's anything you can help them on gaining a better perspective of you as an applicant (resume, personal statement, etc.)

But this letter sounds solid 🙂

 

[OpalOnyx]

So I did research for a little over a year for this small PI early in collegehood. The results were ok but somehow we managed to even get published in some no-name journal. While working on this project, I'll admit that I was not the greatest student. I would frequently get stuff into him late and not do everything he asked, but hey, I was a freshman in college.

Then, I was supposed to do another big project with him and sorta fell off the face of the planet and never got back to him. Since then, I've gotten back in touch with him to ask his help on a education project I was thinking of doing, and we now work together teaching high school kids in the area about biomedical engineering (he and I are both interested in education).

We get along okay, but we're not like best friends, but I asked him for a letter two months ago or so. He turned it in today, about a week later than I needed it. I am worried that he may write something less-than-great and even say something negative about early research experiences. When I asked if he could write a "strong rec letter" he said yes, and later when we were talking about what it takes to get into med school, he said "well then it sounds like you have great chances," and I said "well letters of rec are important, and especially yours since its a letter about research and community service in one" and he said "well yeah it's going to be good."

I'm still worried that he might have written something bad though! If he wanted to he could probably write terrible things about how I wasn't punctual, lied about getting work done when I hadn't even started it yet, or worse. I've heard even one negative sentence in a LOR can kill you. Is there a tactful way to ask him if there's anything negative before I send this off to 15+ schools?

Stop being so paranoid. If he said it would be good, it will be. I think recent impressions are reflected more in the LOR's. Even if you messed up as a freshman (you were afterall, a FRESHMAN) - you're only human and I'm sure he will look past that and write you a good LOR. Especially because he specifically stated so AND clarified it.

OMG pre-meds we are so paranoid 😛

 

[wingiv]

Next time when you ask for rec letters, ask if the writer can write you a strong letter, if they aren't sure, ask if there's anything you can help them on gaining a better perspective of you as an applicant (resume, personal statement, etc.)

But this letter sounds solid 🙂

I was talking to one of my profs about this. She kept asking me why people were asking if she would write them a "good" or "strong" LOR. Really, if the prof is taking the time to write the LOR for you, it will probably be decent in one way or another since they're usually busy. The question is, does your PI or prof know that well, and only you can answer that.

 

[not so calm now]

I was talking to one of my profs about this. She kept asking me why people were asking if she would write them a "good" or "strong" LOR. Really, if the prof is taking the time to write the LOR for you, it will probably be decent in one way or another since they're usually busy. The question is, does your PI or prof know that well, and only you can answer that.

I agree with this. You're asking for a letter of recommendation! That means it's gonna say something nice if they agree to it. Plus, you really should be able to tell from social cues if the person doesn't care for you/doesn't think you're excellent, etc.

OP, agreeing with people above, it sounds like you're going to get a good letter. If you had reservations, instead of asking for a "good" letter, you could have sat down with the guy and said something like "I know when I was a freshmen I didn't always turn things in on time, etc. Hopefully you've had a chance to see that my work ethic has improved."

 

[student1799]

I was talking to one of my profs about this. She kept asking me why people were asking if she would write them a "good" or "strong" LOR. Really, if the prof is taking the time to write the LOR for you, it will probably be decent in one way or another

You'd be surprised. Contrary to what you might think, there are actually faculty members who write LORs with really negative things in them. I wouldn't have believed this unless I'd seen it with my own eyes.

Many years ago, during college, I had a short-term job processing graduate program applications at my school's English department. My job was just to make sure that everything was filled out and all the LORs were in the file, but of course I couldn't help glancing at the actual apps once in a while. I remember seeing a couple of LORs that weren't favorable at all. One said something like, "X is a brilliant student but I have doubts about his integrity." Another (different person) said, "I frankly don't think Y belongs in graduate school." I was pretty astonished, considering that the writers must have known that such statements would doom the applicant's chances.

I have no idea under what circumstances these LORs were requested or given, but it does show that there are some profs out there who will write a "recommendation" even when they have serious reservations about the applicant. Personally, I'd have refused to write the LOR under theses circumstances, but they didn't.

On the other hand, people who are that honest in their LORs will surely not lie to you when asked if they will write a "strong" letter. So I think it's very wise to phrase the question that way.

On that basis, OP, you should be fine.

 

[fusionx22]

Stop being so paranoid. If he said it would be good, it will be. I think recent impressions are reflected more in the LOR's. Even if you messed up as a freshman (you were afterall, a FRESHMAN) - you're only human and I'm sure he will look past that and write you a good LOR. Especially because he specifically stated so AND clarified it.

OMG pre-meds we are so paranoid 😛

Lol, agreed. Your situation isn't as bad as mine was. When I applied last year, I asked a teacher who knew me really well to write me a recommendation. Guess how long it was? ONE PARAGRAPH. I don't know what he wrote...but imagine how I was feeling for months haha.