Questionable Letter

[salutations]

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Hey all, was wondering how you might handle this.

I did just okay for my bachelor's, graduating cum laude in chemical.engineering with a 3.0 cgpa and a minor in chemistry (school is very hard and homework heavy; 15% 4-yr grad rate; 45% 6-yr). A letter from a professor both attests to my intellect and potential, but also mentions how I didn't try my hardest (thus my B average). I'm now finishing up my year in a true SMP with a 3.9, wanting to put to rest any worry over my academic abilities.

That the letter is a very personal 2-pager that painted me as an intelligent undergraduate is why I want to use it. It also gives a baseline, or credence, to my SMP-->reapplicant story. Of course, that the letter does say something negative is why I don't want to use it, even with my amelioration attempt.

It's between this letter and a relatively impersonal 1/2 or 1-pager from another professor that doesn't say anything negative (of c, the positives aren't as positive). I think the former can be used to show how I've grown but, maybe not everyone will think of it that way. So.. what do you think?

Oh, and I do have a great letter from my SMP. However, most schools require 2 science letters. I could try and get another but it would be far from personal.

Oh, and I applied this year and have gotten 2 interviews leading to 1 rejection and 1 waitlist. So this is for my reapplication. I did use the iffy 2-pager this most recent cycle.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

What's your MCAT?

Edit: Your MCAT is good. Your GPA is low.

Don't use the LOR w/ negative comments and apply broadly.

 

[Ogmora]

IMO, so long as the letter is generally positive, a weakness (that you've obviously overcome) is humbling and humanizing, and gives the letter writer (and the letter itself) more credibility. (Also, I can't imagine the people reading your app being impressed by a generic, non-personal letter.)

If you applied this year without the SMP, then that's probably a reason why you didn't have great luck getting interviews. I wouldn't necessarily attribute it to the letter.

I would definitely go with the more personal one, especially since you've demonstrated your abilities with the SMP and have a good MCAT to back it up.

 

[Th2]

I'd use it. Like Ogmora said, it's more humanizing and you've clearly made up for it. Worst case scenario is it's a brief talking point in the interview, or perhaps a jumping point to demonstrate continued interest in the medical field.

 

[salutations]

If you applied this year without the SMP, then that's probably a reason why you didn't have great luck getting interviews. I wouldn't necessarily attribute it to the letter.

Yeah. Primary wasn't in until November. Secondaries not done til Jan and Feb for the denied and waitlisted school, respectively. I figured why not try, even tho first semester grades weren't out til January. This time around, apps in on day 1, with full smp grades.

Thanks for your inputs.

 

[Ogmora]

Not a problem, best of luck next cycle!

 

[Goro]

A bad LOR can easily sink your app. Get another one.

Hey all, was wondering how you might handle this.

I did just okay for my bachelor's, graduating cum laude in chemical.engineering with a 3.0 cgpa and a minor in chemistry (school is very hard and homework heavy; 15% 4-yr grad rate; 45% 6-yr). A letter from a professor both attests to my intellect and potential, but also mentions how I didn't try my hardest (thus my B average). I'm now finishing up my year in a true SMP with a 3.9, wanting to put to rest any worry over my academic abilities.

That the letter is a very personal 2-pager that painted me as an intelligent undergraduate is why I want to use it. It also gives a baseline, or credence, to my SMP-->reapplicant story. Of course, that the letter does say something negative is why I don't want to use it, even with my amelioration attempt.

It's between this letter and a relatively impersonal 1/2 or 1-pager from another professor that doesn't say anything negative (of c, the positives aren't as positive). I think the former can be used to show how I've grown but, maybe not everyone will think of it that way. So.. what do you think?

Oh, and I do have a great letter from my SMP. However, most schools require 2 science letters. I could try and get another but it would be far from personal.

Oh, and I applied this year and have gotten 2 interviews leading to 1 rejection and 1 waitlist. So this is for my reapplication. I did use the iffy 2-pager this most recent cycle.

 

[ChrisGriffen]

A bad LOR can easily sink your app. Get another one.

yup. Adcoms get thousands of applications, and initially they are looking for applications to toss in the "no" pile. A bad LOR is a god way to get tossed in there. I am a current m2, but back when I was applying I got some amazingly flattering recommendation letters despite the fact that I was and still am an average student.

Basically what I am saying is, you have the freedom to pick who writes your letters, and you should be able to get some killer letters. If your letters aren't glowing about you, it is a big red flag. It means you either cant find someone who likes you enough to write a great letter for you, or you didn't try hard enough to find someone to write a great letter for you.

 

[salutations]

A bad LOR can easily sink your app. Get another one.

Yes sir!

 

[hippocampus503]

Can you ask the professor to rewrite the letter without including the comment about you not working hard enough? You can say respectfully that you thank him/her and you realize that the letter is very good but you're concerned about that one comment. You can show the prof how well you are doing in the postbac and that you have turned things around to doing your best. Without the revision, I would not use the letter.

 

[chizledfrmstone]

Can you ask the professor to rewrite the letter without including the comment about you not working hard enough? You can say respectfully that you thank him/her and you realize that the letter is very good but you're concerned about that one comment. You can show the prof how well you are doing in the postbac and that you have turned things around to doing your best. Without the revision, I would not use the letter.

The writer would probably have asked for his opinion while writing the letter if he wanted it.

 

[SOOyC52H1Sof]

How do you people know what's written on your letters?

 

[salutations]

How do you people know what's written on your letters?

I don't, it is a confidential letter. When I requested a letter from him, he told me that he would throw in a little something about my work ethic.