Received a poorly written LOR, how to ask to fix?

[MetsFan96]

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[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

First, what is the letter for? Most things require you to waive your right to see the letter and requires them to be either submitted by the recommender or through a third-party like Interfolio. So unless this is for something less formal, you technically shouldn't even have access to the letter. Second, what do you mean by lab mentor? Is it the PI? A grad student? And if it is anyone other than the PI, why would you ask them for a letter? Third, just move on and find a different letter writer.

 

[Dr Tony T. Chopper]

I don't think its professional to put your letter writer on the spot for something she decided was important to write about, and editing the letter yourself is very unethical. Instead, do you have any other suitable letter writers you've known a bit longer who could actually write you a strong letter?

 

[MrLogan13]

Don't ask her to fix it. She already told you she couldn't write you a good letter, but you asked her anyway. Get another LOR from someone else.

 

[candbgirl]

What did you expect? She told you it wouldn't be personal. Deal with or find a different writer. Do not ask her to rewrite. What's this letter for anyway?

 

[BeachBaby]

delete

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Maybe you could ask if you could write the letter yourself and have her sign it. I know this sounds atypical but I do think this is done sometimes.

While this is done sometimes, I definitely wouldn't ask for it. Especially since this person already took the time to write you a letter. It could come off as pretty insulting. As others have said, you probably shouldn't have even read your letter in the first place. Find a new writer! Preferably someone who knows you.

 

[IlDestriero]

So unless this is for something less formal, you technically shouldn't even have access to the letter.

Waiving your right request to see the letter of recommendation has nothing to do with the letter writer giving you a copy. There's nothing wrong with them giving a copy to you, though they have to submit it themselves per protocol.

I don't think its professional to put your letter writer on the spot for something she decided was important to write about, and editing the letter yourself is very unethical. Instead, do you have any other suitable letter writers you've known a bit longer who could actually write you a strong letter?

Editing the letter and giving it back for them to review, change and submit isn't unethical. Some faculty have you write your own letter which they edit and submit. Having said that, I would NEVER in a million years take a letter someone wrote for you and already submitted and ask for it to be changed. They might get offended and put something catastrophic to your application in there. People are vindictive dinguses.

What did you expect? She told you it wouldn't be personal. Deal with or find a different writer. Do not ask her to rewrite. What's this letter for anyway?

Exactly. She basically said to find someone else and you didn't. Be glad you got a copy to know that it's a useless letter and have time to try to get another one. It sounds like that won't hurt you, but it's not actually helping you either.

 

[laterbay]

Approach them, stay calm, remain polite, and ask. Done..

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Good points about waiving your rights. However, I think that reading your letter should be a way to decide whether it's a letter you ultimately want to use. NOT to go back and ask for edits. That's just my personal feeling, though. Unless it's something very minor like a typo, I wouldn't feel comfortable asking a letter writer to change what they wrote about me. In your case, it sounds like your letter writer just didn't know you well enough to write you a good letter. No amount of edits will fix that.

 

[MetsFan96]

The problem is once the letter has been submitted, I cannot change the reviewer (the spot is taken and only he/she can use that spot to submit a letter). I did not edit the letter too much- I combined two separate paragraphs that only focused on retelling my resume into one, and added a short paragraph on the work I've done in the lab. In my email, I would tell the person the changes I've made and ask if it looks good to go. Thoughts?

 

[idontwatchgreysanatomy]

You give up your right for yourself to equest to see/demand the letter. However, the letter writer has the right to choose to give it to you if they want. Nothing is violated.

Lol I guess I take things too seriously

 

[7331poas]

This is ridiculous. Sometimes premeds amaze me. Her actions indicate that she didn't want to write you a letter in the first place, and now you are going to go back to her and tell her her letter wasn't good enough?

 

[Goro]

Poor choice making is often the death of a medical career.

This is ridiculous. Sometimes premeds amaze me. Her actions indicate that she didn't want to write you a letter in the first place, and now you are going to go back to her and tell her her letter wasn't good enough?

 

[IlDestriero]

Did she ask you to edit her letter? I'm guessing not as she already submitted it.
If you came to me with this, I'd just withdraw the letter and suggest you find someone else.
Of course I'd not have written one for you to begin with if I didn't know you well enough to write a good one, and I wouldn't have given you a copy either.

 

[candbgirl]

The problem is once the letter has been submitted, I cannot change the reviewer (the spot is taken and only he/she can use that spot to submit a letter). I did not edit the letter too much- I combined two separate paragraphs that only focused on retelling my resume into one, and added a short paragraph on the work I've done in the lab. In my email, I would tell the person the changes I've made and ask if it looks good to go. Thoughts?

Are you kidding?? The letter has been submitted and you're now editing it and asking if it's good to go ? What part of it's been submitted don't you understand? She as much as told you it wouldn't be a good letter. Deal with it but learn a lesson from the experience!

 

[robin911]

I am assuming that this letter is not for medical school? B/c if it is for medical school you can just choose not to assign it to any schools through AMCAS. If it is part of a committee letter... that is a different story.