if letter writer asks for transcript

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

mkatsmh

New Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
May 17, 2012
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
My physical chemistry professor agreed to write me a letter of recommendation, and I'm really happy about it since his class is notorious for being very difficult and I just got a 4.0 in it. I've also spent a bunch of time having conversations with him during office hours, so I think he'll write me a good one. HOWEVER, I'm scared that he'll ask me for my GPA or unofficial transcript. Even though I did well in his class, I didn't do to well my sophomore year (I'm a third year now) and my overall gpa is 3.65 and my average for other chemistry courses is around 3.4ish
I'm afraid that he'll change his opinion about me and write me a bad letter. Since I obviously have to give him a transcript if he asks for one, should I spend time to explain to him what happened or just give it to him and not say anything more?

Thank for the advice guys
 
My physical chemistry professor agreed to write me a letter of recommendation, and I'm really happy about it since his class is notorious for being very difficult and I just got a 4.0 in it. I've also spent a bunch of time having conversations with him during office hours, so I think he'll write me a good one. HOWEVER, I'm scared that he'll ask me for my GPA or unofficial transcript. Even though I did well in his class, I didn't do to well my sophomore year (I'm a third year now) and my overall gpa is 3.65 and my average for other chemistry courses is around 3.4ish
I'm afraid that he'll change his opinion about me and write me a bad letter. Since I obviously have to give him a transcript if he asks for one, should I spend time to explain to him what happened or just give it to him and not say anything more?

Thank for the advice guys

I have 6 LORs and none of them asked for a transcript. Offer them a CV with your overall GPA and MCAT score and they probably won't care about your transcript.

Nobody likes excuses, so don't make any if he does ask for one.
 
Last edited:
A few of my letter writers asked for a transcript so it does happen. Just give it to him and walk away. If he has a problem writing one for you because of that then he probably wouldn't have written you a great letter anyway? At least that's my opinion.
 
Most likely, he will not ask for one. If he was going to, I think he would have when he agreed to write one in the first place. Your transcripts can speak for themselves, and hopefully he will rehash his personal experience with you. Good luck with the rest of your undergrad career!!
 
Why would he write anything negatively about your positive improvement in chemistry/science? If you did well in his class and if the two of you get along well, you don't really have anything to worry about...
 
It's not like you can refuse if he does ask... But along with what Mountaineer and UCFKnight said, if he's not willing to write you one after seeing your transcript, he probably wouldn't have been the best person to recommend you in the first place.
 
I got LORs from 9 independent people. Not one of them asked for a transcript.

Don't worry about it. 🙂

Best,
C
 
I wouldn't worry. If you asked him for a strong postive LOR then he should do just that. I asked a chem professor to write me one and he agreed and asked for transcripts, personal statement, CV. My gpa wasn't so great (lower than your 3.65) and he pointed out my improvement in the LOR. His LOR was one of my best that I had.
 
None of mine have asked. And besides the professors don't even have to ask to look at our transcripts.
 
Top