Is this a weak reference letter?

[thegame11]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I went to graduate school and the professor who I worked for wrote me the following letter.
--------------------------------------
To whom it may concern,
___ did an MSc in my group. He worked on (project name). He worked very hard and did a great job. His work was published in ___. I was particular impressive in his independent approach to research, his technical skill and his work ethic. I would have gladly taken him into my group as a PhD student but he chose to finish with an MSc. He is bright, self motivated and hardworking. I believe he will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue. Ths I support his application in the strongest terms.

name
[well known]
[lots of titles]
--------------------------------------

I recently graduated from medical school. I thought my application was decent when I applied 4 years ago. But I couldn't really figure out why I got rejected from most of the places I applied to. So I got a hold of my suspicious reference letters. The 2 places where I was interviewed and accepted DID NOT receive the above letter.

So is this a really bad letter? I realize it's really short. There are grammar mistakes and spelling mistakes. But he didn't say anything bad.

Not that it matters now. I am fairy content with everything....

 

[doc05]

it's not very strong, but who cares? you got in and ultimately graduated. best of luck w residency.

p.s. while it's not very strong, I doubt this would have kept you from interviewing somewhere...it must have been something else.

 

[Goro]

It's a fine LOR, and more importantly, let it go. Rejections are part of application to med school.

I went to graduate school and the professor who I worked for wrote me the following letter.
--------------------------------------
To whom it may concern,
___ did an MSc in my group. He worked on (project name). He worked very hard and did a great job. His work was published in ___. I was particular impressive in his independent approach to research, his technical skill and his work ethic. I would have gladly taken him into my group as a PhD student but he chose to finish with an MSc. He is bright, self motivated and hardworking. I believe he will be successful in whatever he chooses to pursue. Ths I support his application in the strongest terms.

name
[well known]
[lots of titles]
--------------------------------------

I recently graduated from medical school. I thought my application was decent when I applied 4 years ago. But I couldn't really figure out why I got rejected from most of the places I applied to. So I got a hold of my suspicious reference letters. The 2 places where I was interviewed and accepted DID NOT receive the above letter.

So is this a really bad letter? I realize it's really short. There are grammar mistakes and spelling mistakes. But he didn't say anything bad.

Not that it matters now. I am fairy content with everything....

 

[ortnakas]

You got two acceptances and are now a doctor-- why does it even matter?

 

[thegame11]

You got two acceptances and are now a doctor-- why does it even matter?

It doesn't. Just had some free time and nothing better to do....

 

[gyngyn]

I have been a professor at schools that never interviewed me.
It's not personal.

 

[Banco]

That's some pretty concise yet high praise.

 

[justadream]

Length is not required for strength:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...-john-nash-genius-19-letter-article-1.2250448

 

[Brownman55]

Length is not required for strength:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...-john-nash-genius-19-letter-article-1.2250448

Couldn't agree more ! While it may not be exactly relevant, Watson and Crick's article on the structure of DNA was only two pages long. And I think we can all agree that was pretty important...

 

[GrapesofRath]

People tend to be misguided in their idea of what constitutes as a letter poor enough to be considered a real red flag that keeps someone out. They are red flags for a reason; they don't usually occur and are memorable enough when they do that it says alot about an applicant in a negative way. This hardly does that.

 

[Cytarabine]

It's not exceptional but it's good. Certainly wouldn't think it led to a rejection

 

[Grace184]

Yep, it's a letter

 

[coffeesnob]

how did you get a copy of your LOR? i also have a lot of time now (aka specialty elective) and just being curious...

 

[Grace184]

1 of mine sent me it after she submitted it. Never asked for it. She is an MD Pharmacology professor and had never had one of her pharmacy residents apply for med school. She wanted me to know what she said about me and it was very shocking- in a good way. Needless to say it was a phenomenal letter and when I get down on myself I read it for inspiration.

But yea, usually they just send them to you, usually "for your records." It's in poor taste and in violation of your agreement to ask for a copy (you can't force them to give you one). They have a right for their LOR to remain unseen by you.

 

[Cytarabine]

1 of mine sent me it after she submitted it. Never asked for it. She is an MD Pharmacology professor and had never had one of her pharmacy residents apply for med school. She wanted me to know what she said about me and it was very shocking- in a good way. Needless to say it was a phenomenal letter and when I get down on myself I read it for inspiration.

But yea, usually they just send them to you, usually "for your records." It's in poor taste and in violation of your agreement to ask for a copy (you can't force them to give you one). They have a right for their LOR to remain unseen by you.

^this, I think it's in very poor taste to try to get access to a letter you waived viewing rights to