Letter of Recommendation Problem with Professor! Suggestions welcomed

[Jack-Kennedy35]

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Hello guys,
So I asked a very nice professor that I didn't know all too well for a letter of rec. She told me that she can write me one, and it certainly wouldn't be bad as she can talk about my performance in the class and my final paper and the academic things but wouldn't be able to attest to my personal attributes. She suggested I ask another professor who knows me on a personal level.

However, she did say that I can talk to my TA in the class, as I knew him well and have him draft up a letter and send it over to her. She would then add some additional thoughts, sign it and send it in.

I just emailed my TA, and he was very ecstatic about drafting a letter but my worry is about the things the professor will add on to it based on our previous conversation. I want to send my professor an email and give her an update that the TA has agreed to write a letter, but what can I say to her to see if she would only add on positive things that will strengthen the letter rather than weaken it. I don't mind being direct at all but want to phrase it in a mild but straightforward manner.

Thanks
@gonnif @Catalystik @Goro @LizzyM @Moko

 

[Moko]

Hello guys,
So I asked a very nice professor that I didn't know all too well for a letter of rec. She told me that she can write me one, and it certainly wouldn't be bad as she can talk about my performance in the class and my final paper and the academic things but wouldn't be able to attest to my personal attributes. She suggested I ask another professor who knows me on a personal level.

However, she did say that I can talk to my TA in the class, as I knew him well and have him draft up a letter and send it over to her. She would then add some additional thoughts, sign it and send it in.

I just emailed my TA, and he was very ecstatic about drafting a letter but my worry is about the things the professor will add on to it based on our previous conversation. I want to send my professor an email and give her an update that the TA has agreed to write a letter, but what can I say to her to see if she would only add on positive things that will strengthen the letter rather than weaken it. I don't mind being direct at all but want to phrase it in a mild but straightforward manner

I don't see a problem with this. I doubt your professor is going to sabotage the TA's insights about your personality. Be sure to give the guidelines for letter writers to the TA so they have an idea of what to write about, since it may very well be their first time writing a letter. Ask for this letter and have it as a backup if need be.

 

[Goro]

Hello guys,
So I asked a very nice professor that I didn't know all too well for a letter of rec. She told me that she can write me one, and it certainly wouldn't be bad as she can talk about my performance in the class and my final paper and the academic things but wouldn't be able to attest to my personal attributes. She suggested I ask another professor who knows me on a personal level.

However, she did say that I can talk to my TA in the class, as I knew him well and have him draft up a letter and send it over to her. She would then add some additional thoughts, sign it and send it in.

I just emailed my TA, and he was very ecstatic about drafting a letter but my worry is about the things the professor will add on to it based on our previous conversation. I want to send my professor an email and give her an update that the TA has agreed to write a letter, but what can I say to her to see if she would only add on positive things that will strengthen the letter rather than weaken it. I don't mind being direct at all but want to phrase it in a mild but straightforward manner.

Thanks
@gonnif @Catalystik @Goro @LizzyM @Moko

I'm worried about this. The professor is clearly telling you that she can't write you a good LOR.

 

[mwsapphire]

See,I'm not sure if the letter would be good or bad but just a reminder. If your institution has a pre health committee and you are using them for a committee letter/letter packet they will screen a bad letter out for you. Just a reminder .

 

[Jack-Kennedy35]

I don't see a problem with this. I doubt your professor is going to sabotage the TA's insights about your personality. Be sure to give the guidelines for letter writers to the TA so they have an idea of what to write about, since it may very well be their first time writing a letter. Ask for this letter and have it as a backup if need be.

Would it be okay if I include in my email to her something like: “The TA and I have been in contact and he/ she has agreed to write me a strong LOR. I hope that your thoughts and additions will serve to strengthen the overall letter! If you have any concerns about the matter please feel free to let me know.

Please let me know how this sounds for you.

 

[Jack-Kennedy35]

See,I'm not sure if the letter would be good or bad but just a reminder. If your institution has a pre health committee and you are using them for a committee letter/letter packet they will screen a bad letter out for you. Just a reminder .

Mine’s not a committee school man 🙁 so that’s why I want to be direct with her and literally ask if her additions will weaken my letter and if it will still be good based on the TA’s thoughts. any thoughts on what I can say to her?

 

[mwsapphire]

Mine’s not a committee school man 🙁 so that’s why I want to be direct with her and literally ask if her additions will weaken my letter and if it will still be good based on the TA’s thoughts. any thoughts on what I can say to her?

Hmmm...maybe ask her if she thinks she's seen the best of you? Bc even the answer: " No" is politically correct. Not sure though.

 

[Engrailed]

Hello guys,
So I asked a very nice professor that I didn't know all too well for a letter of rec. She told me that she can write me one, and it certainly wouldn't be bad as she can talk about my performance in the class and my final paper and the academic things but wouldn't be able to attest to my personal attributes. She suggested I ask another professor who knows me on a personal level.

However, she did say that I can talk to my TA in the class, as I knew him well and have him draft up a letter and send it over to her. She would then add some additional thoughts, sign it and send it in.

I just emailed my TA, and he was very ecstatic about drafting a letter but my worry is about the things the professor will add on to it based on our previous conversation. I want to send my professor an email and give her an update that the TA has agreed to write a letter, but what can I say to her to see if she would only add on positive things that will strengthen the letter rather than weaken it. I don't mind being direct at all but want to phrase it in a mild but straightforward manner.

Thanks

Im not sure what the problem is honestly. The professor said she is not able to write a strong letter bc she doesnt know you well. It doesnt mean she is adding bad things or meh things. It’s an honest answer because she knows how important LORs are for med school and doesnt want to impede your chances with a lukewarm letter. HOWEVER, she is giving you the opportunity to ask the TA who does know you well. The TA will pass the letter to the professor...professor will add some “i recommend this student etc” or some other phrases like that and sign off on it so you are gooD to go.

This is no different than a PI who asks the grad student mentoring students to draft a letter or a physician who might even ask the student to write their own LOR. It’s not ideal but if you need this LOR from this class, I wouldn’t have reservations about what this person might say.

 

[Moko]

I'm worried about this. The professor is clearly telling you that she can't write you a good LOR.

Would it be okay if I include in my email to her something like: “The TA and I have been in contact and he/ she has agreed to write me a strong LOR. I hope that your thoughts and additions will serve to strengthen the overall letter! If you have any concerns about the matter please feel free to let me know. Please let me know how this sounds for you.

One potential way to assess this situation: let the professor know that the TA was enthusiastic about drafting a letter of recommendation, and once she receives the TA's input, ask her if she would feel comfortable writing a strong letter for you with the TA's input, or if she would still recommend finding another professor. This way you can glean whether this letter will be usable or trash. Just my thoughts

I also would not write "I hope that your thoughts and additions will serve to strengthen the overall letter". That rubbed me the wrong way.