LOR question

[hidentalschool]

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So I asked my major advisor if he could write a positive LOR. He said he would write a fair one, which means shortcomings will also be included in LOR.

The problem is that he mentioned my shortcoming is not being able to concentrate on details (I am not concentrating on writing my thesis for my Master's degree now).
Will this LOR influence my application very negatively?

Thank you in advance for any kind suggestion.

 

[jigabodo]

So I asked my major advisor if he could write a positive LOR. He said he would write a fair one, which means shortcomings will also be included in LOR.

The problem is that he mentioned my shortcoming is not being able to concentrate on details (I am not concentrating on writing my thesis for my Master's degree now).
Will this LOR influence my application very negatively?

Thank you in advance for any kind suggestion.

IMHO, it probably will affect your application negatively to a certain extent, but it shouldn't be drastic. Just be sure to know what to say during your interviews when this question comes up.

This advice was actually given to me by my pre-health advisor: You should always ask the LOR writer if he/she is able to write you a "good LOR". Pretty much what you are doing here. If their answer is no, then your are probably better off not asking them.

After all, a LOR with many shortcomings isn't technically a "Letter of Recommendation", right?

 

[Bruinlove]

So I asked my major advisor if he could write a positive LOR. He said he would write a fair one, which means shortcomings will also be included in LOR.

The problem is that he mentioned my shortcoming is not being able to concentrate on details (I am not concentrating on writing my thesis for my Master's degree now).
Will this LOR influence my application very negatively?

Thank you in advance for any kind suggestion.

Ask another person. I think that if he/she really meant that the letter will also include shortcomings, I doubt you have a good relationship with him/her.

 

[hidentalschool]

Thank you for the quick replies!

The thing is he is my major advisor. Normaly speaking, I should have his LOR included, right?

I quit Ph.D. program and decide to apply for dental school instead. I think that's why he is not very happy.

 

[Bruinlove]

Thank you for the quick replies!

The thing is he is my major advisor. Normaly speaking, I should have his LOR included, right?

I quit Ph.D. program and decide to apply for dental school instead. I think that's why he is not very happy.

Some schools require a letter from pre-health advisor or committe, but for most of them, you can opt out for individual letters from science professors.

 

[jigabodo]

Thank you for the quick replies!

The thing is he is my major advisor. Normaly speaking, I should have his LOR included, right?

Not at all. I didn't have my major advisor write my LORs and I was fine. I think most students opt to have a dentist and a few professors write them LORs, and that's pretty much about it.

 

[hidentalschool]

Good to know.
I thought if I don't have my major advisor's LOR, dental schools will wonder why is that, which may cause the issue more complicated than a "fair" LOR.