LOR choice

[GoetzItDone]

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.Make believe you are a member of an admission committee. Each of the following letters comes from a different student. Please read the following blurbs. Which student do you think is a better applicant? (Don't put too much thought into this, just put down the first answer that comes to mind)

Letter 1 was written by a graduate teaching assistant who taught this student's intro English composition course. She provides positive reference about his writing ability, work ethic, and unassuming self-confidence. She also comments on how he exceeds the intellectual ability one expects from college students while exhibiting curiosity, compassion, and dedication beyond his years

..Letter 2 was written by a professor with a PhD who taught this student's intro to sociology course. She provides positive comments on his ability to communicate clearly and honestly because of how he expressed his sentiments about the course. She also comments on his perseverance to attend her office hours and bring his grade up to an A minus..

 

[doc3232]

Neither of these letters are going to be more than skimmed by adcoms. I liked 1 btw.

 

[DDMess]

Yeh, letters aren't much of a factor at all. Thus I don't think it matters if your letter comes from some big shot PhD or a TA.

Most have said the PhD guy but in all honesty whoever reads the letter isn't going to take what the guys with the PhD says as being more indicative of jack. That letter is generic as hell.

The 1st letter is better because it describes characteristics in the student which are also good characteristics of a dentist (compassion, work ethic, dedication).

 

[sfrice80]

Yeh, letters aren't much of a factor at all. Thus I don't think it matters if your letter comes from some big shot PhD or a TA.

Most have said the PhD guy but in all honesty whoever reads the letter isn't going to take what the guys with the PhD says as being more indicative of jack. That letter is generic as hell.

The 1st letter is better because it describes characteristics in the student which are also good characteristics of a dentist (compassion, work ethic, dedication).

Agreed first letter

 

[GoetzItDone]

Neither of these letters are going to be more than skimmed by adcoms. I liked 1 btw.

I do agree that these letters are skimmed, but even skimming gives these people some kind of an impression of the student. All they need is that quick impression. I'm trying to decide whether it's better to acquire a letter that uses good adjectives (like the first) or one that uses good examples (like the second).

 

[DDMess]

Examples are good but only when they aren't generic like above

 

[DrTootle]

Letter 3: The one from your biochem teacher.

 

[xiphoidprocess]

.

 

[GoetzItDone]

Letter 3: The one from your biochem teacher.

haha, my biochem professor didn't really like people. I got science letters from my microbio and genetics professors.

first letter by far. the second one makes you sound like a total suck up.

Xiphoid, are you just being catty or are you serious?

 

[xiphoidprocess]

\

 

[GoetzItDone]

I'm being serious. I may be reading into it, but your "Perseverance" to show up to office hours sounds like you're trying too hard to get that A-, which you probably deserved the B+.

Both letters have their ups, but I'd rather go with the letter who brings more about your character and personality, which is more important. The grades speak for themselves.

Just my 2 cents.

You were reading too far into it. there is no way you could draw these assumptions from my 3 sentence long blurb. You don't know me, and you don't know what happened between me and this professor. If grades spoke for themselves, then every student with a 4.0 would get into dental school. Your comments are impertinent and offensive.

 

[GoetzItDone]

and Thank you to everyone else who participated in this pole and made comments. I made my decision about which letter to use and my 4 letters have been received by AADSAS. I wish the best of luck to all!