Question about LOR (Would like ADCOM input)

[PreMade]

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So I'm going to ask couple of my science teachers for a letter of recommendation and wanted your input.

I have concerns regarding two of my professors:

1) Professor #1
I have met this professor during office hours and I think I made a good impression on him, but I'm sure he doesn't even know my name which is not a big deal because I can tell him. I'm pretty sure he will remember me and I purposely didn't get a haircut so I won't look different 😀. I had took him in a previous semester but ended up withdrawing due to scheduling conflict and personal reasons which effected my performance on exams and it caused me to withdraw (W on transcript). I took him again in another semester and got an A in his class. I know he would write me one, but do you think he would know that I had dropped his class and do you think he would put this on the LOR? This would make me look bad. I'm going to give him a paper with my name and what semester I took him along with resume, PS, etc...Do you think he would look me up in his system and would it show I had previous took him in another semester?

2) Professor #2
I made a really great connection with this professor. We talked about things outside of class and professor would definitely write me a good letter that would stand out from the rest, but I know in the LOR this professor puts the class rank and how we performed on exams. I received an A in this course, where I did pretty good on the exams (I was in the 10% of class) but I performed really poorly on the final and I KNOW my class rank dropped significantly as many students did well. I'm concern the professor will put my class rank and my performance on the final in the letter, not to be malicious but I think that is the way the professor writes the LOR. Even with an "A" in the course I feel the ADCOM will think less of me.

Unfortunately these are the only two science professors I have visited during office hours and I can't go ask other science professors at this point.


3) Also, can I get a LOR from a physician that I did not shadow? I will not use LOR from a physician in general but some schools require them (I'm also applying to DO schools). I shadowed two physician for a good length of time, but it has been a while since I have seen them. I know they would write me one but I never connected with them and I doubt they know much about me. I know it will be a short general cliche LOR. I will get one from one of the doctor and keep it in interfolio just in case I need it.

I work in a rehab clinic and have meet several doctors who are patients and I have taken good care of them as an aide. They all think very fond of me and know I'm pursuing medicine. I have gotten to know them well and they would do anything to help me including writing me a LOR. There is one doctor in particular that I have help treat, but I have never shadowed him. He can speak on me as a person and my ability to work in a clinic setting better than any doctor I have shadow or will shadow can say. When they say a LOR from a doctor, does it have to be a shadowing situation? I know the doctor can speak on my ability to take care of patients as he is one.

Thanks for the help as always

 

[mimelim]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letters-of-recommendation.985472/

All 3 sound like weak letters. If you must have a LOR from a physician for DO, then that is one thing, otherwise, useless.

 

[Catalystik]

Why can't you cultivate a new science faculty member this term or over the summer? Though applying early is in your best interests, LORs can come later and could arrive at the end of the summer and not put you to serious disadvantage.

When they say a LOR from a doctor, does it have to be a shadowing situation? I know the doctor can speak on my ability to take care of patients as he is one.

You'll have to read the exact wording in the application instructions, but I've heard that some DO school candidates successfully submit LORs from a DO after a phone conversation.

 

[PreMade]

I'm done with classes so I can't get a new teacher.

 

[Catalystik]

Are you close enough to the campus to set up a physical meeting with Prof #2 and ask if he feels he could write you a strong LOR?

Math faculty are also generally considered to write a "Science" letter. If you add them onto the possible list, does that help?

 

[PreMade]

Are you close enough to the campus to set up a physical meeting with Prof #2 and ask if he feels he could write you a strong LOR?

Math faculty are also generally considered to write a "Science" letter. If you add them onto the possible list, does that help?

Thanks for the reply. I'm on campus all the time. I'm pretty sure both professors would write me a letter of recommendation, but the issue is how "strong" or a recommendation.

I just wanted input on how much that aspect will get weighed by ADCOM.

At this point I have no choice, I guess I have to hope for the best.

 

[PreMade]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/letters-of-recommendation.985472/

All 3 sound like weak letters. If you must have a LOR from a physician for DO, then that is one thing, otherwise, useless.

Thank you for the reply.

I agree the two professors aren't "strong" letters, but at this point I really don't have a choice but to ask them.

I know they will write me a good letter, but just worry about certain aspects of a letter (final exam performance) that would make ADCOMs look at me negatively.

 

[mimelim]

If they don't say anything outright negative, nobody is going to pay attention to these letters. They will have nothing substantive in them and will carry no weight. Nobody will care about your class rank or your final exam score in a particular class.

 

[Catalystik]

I'd be more interested in comments about critical thinking skills and insightful observations, pertinent personal qualities with illustrative anecdotes, and statements that back up any personal challenges you might refer to elsewhere in your application. That you might have earned a low A in the class won't bias me against you.

I'd be inclined to give positive comments more weight if the letter has some balance and seems objective, eg, that some areas for improvement are included.

 

[senzen]

I'd be more interested in comments about critical thinking skills and insightful observations, pertinent personal qualities with illustrative anecdotes, and statements that back up any personal challenges you might refer to elsewhere in your application. That you might have earned a low A in the class won't bias me against you.

I'd be inclined to give positive comments more weight if the letter has some balance and seems objective, eg, that some areas for improvement are included.

Hey!

Would you be willing to give examples of the things you just listed? Like what could they say about critical thinking skills that would be seen as a positive thing? Or what are some insightful observations? And personal qualities you particularly like?

I understand you may not be able to go into detail as much but any information helps. I'm looking to get LORs from professors I have this semester so I hope to act in a certain way so they can eventually write these nice things about me!

Also I feel like I read this somewhere from other adcoms and I'm not sure if you feel the same way, but don't you think that that exceptional LORS are rather rare and most are average? Just as long as they're not negative, one is usually okay in that respect. Do you agree?

OP, I sometimes sort of gave up on the idea of getting a super strong LOR as that is not in my control. I just hope mine aren't negative. But I'm not sure if this is the right mindset.

 

[Catalystik]

Also I feel like I read this somewhere from other adcoms and I'm not sure if you feel the same way, but don't you think that that exceptional LORS are rather rare and most are average? Just as long as they're not negative, one is usually okay in that respect. Do you agree?

Average quality LORs are vastly in the majority.

 

[Goro]

If you were to ask them:

"Professor ___, do you think you know me well enough to write a good LOR for my application to medical school?"

if any doubt, do NOT ask.

So I'm going to ask couple of my science teachers for a letter of recommendation and wanted your input.

I have concerns regarding two of my professors:

1) Professor #1
I have met this professor during office hours and I think I made a good impression on him, but I'm sure he doesn't even know my name which is not a big deal because I can tell him. I'm pretty sure he will remember me and I purposely didn't get a haircut so I won't look different 😀. I had took him in a previous semester but ended up withdrawing due to scheduling conflict and personal reasons which effected my performance on exams and it caused me to withdraw (W on transcript). I took him again in another semester and got an A in his class. I know he would write me one, but do you think he would know that I had dropped his class and do you think he would put this on the LOR? This would make me look bad. I'm going to give him a paper with my name and what semester I took him along with resume, PS, etc...Do you think he would look me up in his system and would it show I had previous took him in another semester?

2) Professor #2
I made a really great connection with this professor. We talked about things outside of class and professor would definitely write me a good letter that would stand out from the rest, but I know in the LOR this professor puts the class rank and how we performed on exams. I received an A in this course, where I did pretty good on the exams (I was in the 10% of class) but I performed really poorly on the final and I KNOW my class rank dropped significantly as many students did well. I'm concern the professor will put my class rank and my performance on the final in the letter, not to be malicious but I think that is the way the professor writes the LOR. Even with an "A" in the course I feel the ADCOM will think less of me.

Unfortunately these are the only two science professors I have visited during office hours and I can't go ask other science professors at this point.


3) Also, can I get a LOR from a physician that I did not shadow? I will not use LOR from a physician in general but some schools require them (I'm also applying to DO schools). I shadowed two physician for a good length of time, but it has been a while since I have seen them. I know they would write me one but I never connected with them and I doubt they know much about me. I know it will be a short general cliche LOR. I will get one from one of the doctor and keep it in interfolio just in case I need it.

I work in a rehab clinic and have meet several doctors who are patients and I have taken good care of them as an aide. They all think very fond of me and know I'm pursuing medicine. I have gotten to know them well and they would do anything to help me including writing me a LOR. There is one doctor in particular that I have help treat, but I have never shadowed him. He can speak on me as a person and my ability to work in a clinic setting better than any doctor I have shadow or will shadow can say. When they say a LOR from a doctor, does it have to be a shadowing situation? I know the doctor can speak on my ability to take care of patients as he is one.

Thanks for the help as always

 

[senzen]

If you were to ask them:

"Professor ___, do you think you know me well enough to write a good LOR for my application to medical school?"

if any doubt, do NOT ask.

I think asking something along the lines of "Do you think you can do write me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?" is more appropriate.

I feel like that's a potentially better idea to avoid getting a "weak" or "bad" letter of recommendation.

 

[Goro]

Yup!!

I think asking something along the lines of "Do you think you can do write me a strong letter of recommendation for medical school?" is more appropriate.

I feel like that's a potentially better idea to avoid getting a "weak" or "bad" letter of recommendation.