Possibly Tepid LOR?

[GiantPanda1]

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Hey guys, I need help whether I should get a letter of recommendation from my professor.

He states that he'd be happy to write me a letter of recommendation after I asked him if he would write a strong one for me, he states that he might not be the best person to ask it from as he believes he would be the least impressive name to find at the bottom of a letter.

Is this code or a red flag for no go? Or is it genuine and he actually believes that?

As far as I understand, the quality of the letter is most important. The actual writer being renowned while it would be a plus, is not as important?

 

[candbgirl]

I think you should look elsewhere for a letter. He didn't answer your direct question. The letter should be about you and not his lack of renown. I think you are correct in that the quality of the letter is most important. Especially at this level. Now when you apply for residency and fellowship you probably need both.

 

[hoihaie]

or he's still in the mindset that the name of the writer matters more than the content itself

 

[GiantPanda1]

He's a clinical assistant professor and has had his PhD for 10 years and teaches at a top 10 university for applied mathematics. It's not so much that he's not renowned. It's that everyone in the department is a superstar like Abel Prize winners, speaks 10 languages, etc. I would feel like I'm underwhelming too in that situation. I don't know if he's just being modest...

I also thinks he does like me as a student but maybe I'm thinking too much of myself and he's really sending me code. I'm a bit paranoid...

 

[mimelim]

He's a clinical assistant professor and has had his PhD for 10 years and teaches at a top 10 university for applied mathematics. It's not so much that he's not renowned. It's that everyone in the department is a superstar like Abel Prize winners, speaks 10 languages, etc. I would feel like I'm underwhelming too in that situation. I don't know if he's just being modest...

I also thinks he does like me as a student but maybe I'm thinking too much of myself and he's really sending me code. I'm a bit paranoid...

He is not sending you a code. Take what he says at face value. If there is someone that knows you as well as him who is higher up, you should get a letter from them. Otherwise, tell him, that you'd like a letter of recommendation.

or he's still in the mindset that the name of the writer matters more than the content itself

Who is willing to vouch for you matters a lot for both medical school and residency. Is it enough to override other things? Probably not. But, the reality is that LOR don't mean a ton overall and few people get very strong letters. On the other hand, those that do and have big names vouching for them generally are going to get leg ups.

 

[Goro]

Ignore the bolded part. The key thing is to ask him "Can you write me a good LOR for my application to med school?"


He states that he'd be happy to write me a letter of recommendation after I asked him if he would write a strong one for me, he states that he might not be the best person to ask it from as he believes he would be the least impressive name to find at the bottom of a letter.

We've received LORs from US senators and Nobel Laureates. They never yet have saved a marginal candidate.

Is this code or a red flag for no go? Or is it genuine and he actually believes that?

As far as I understand, the quality of the letter is most important. The actual writer being renowned while it would be a plus, is not as important?[/QUOTE]

 

[GiantPanda1]

He is not sending you a code. Take what he says at face value. If there is someone that knows you as well as him who is higher up, you should get a letter from them. Otherwise, tell him, that you'd like a letter of recommendation.



Who is willing to vouch for you matters a lot for both medical school and residency. Is it enough to override other things? Probably not. But, the reality is that LOR don't mean a ton overall and few people get very strong letters. On the other hand, those that do and have big names vouching for them generally are going to get leg ups.

Ignore the bolded part. The key thing is to ask him "Can you write me a good LOR for my application to med school?"


He states that he'd be happy to write me a letter of recommendation after I asked him if he would write a strong one for me, he states that he might not be the best person to ask it from as he believes he would be the least impressive name to find at the bottom of a letter.

We've received LORs from US senators and Nobel Laureates. They never yet have saved a marginal candidate.

Is this code or a red flag for no go? Or is it genuine and he actually believes that?

As far as I understand, the quality of the letter is most important. The actual writer being renowned while it would be a plus, is not as important?

[/QUOTE]

First, I want to say that I don't get starstruck with celebrities BUT both mimelim AND Goro responding on my post is too much for me! This made my day. I can check that off my pre-med checklist... Thank you everyone for your advice! I'll be sure to keep it in mind.

 

[GummyBeh]

First, I want to say that I don't get starstruck with celebrities BUT both mimelim AND Goro responding on my post is too much for me! This made my day. I can check that off my pre-med checklist... Thank you everyone for your advice! I'll be sure to keep it in mind.

You should totally namedrop these guys cv to shown you have renown even your LOR writer doesn't. 😉

 

[GiantPanda1]

You should totally namedrop these guys cv to shown you have renown even your LOR writer doesn't. 😉

I would love nothing more to have dinner or hang out with these guys but they are the superheroes of SDN, they must remain anonymous lest the supervillians find out. Either that or Goro is secretly just a cat on the internet.