Recommendation from a faculty with bad reputation?

[ddtdoc]

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It was recently brought to my attention that one of the people who wrote me a LOR has really bad reputation. How much does it affect my chance if I were to apply to the school he is on faculty?

Thanks!

 

[music2doc]

It was recently brought to my attention that one of the people who wrote me a LOR has really bad reputation. How much does it affect my chance if I were to apply to the school he is on faculty?

Thanks!

Probably depends WHY his reputation is poor and with whom. Usually, you want your LOR writers to be of excellent repute because it can enhance their credibility in writing your letter. A poor reputation might undermine his credibility. That said, it may have little to no effect if this person is only known at his/her school. Everything in context.

 

[NickNaylor]

1) Who gave you this sage insight?
2) Why do they have a bad reputation?
3) Can you actually trust this information?

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos and brevity)

 

[neuro nephrons]

I agree with the above....it obviously depends on WHY he has such a bad rep.....is it because his classes are very difficult and very few people get an A, but you are one of them? Then you have no problem. Is it because he is a boy hungry pedophile? Might be a problem

 

[911 Turbo]

I agree with the above....it obviously depends on WHY he has such a bad rep.....is it because his classes are very difficult and very few people get an A, but you are one of them? Then you have no problem. Is it because he is a boy hungry pedophile? Might be a problem

Lol

Watch out OP he might be expecting more than a little thank you note.

 

[music2doc]

I agree with the above....it obviously depends on WHY he has such a bad rep.....is it because his classes are very difficult and very few people get an A, but you are one of them? Then you have no problem. Is it because he is a boy hungry pedophile? Might be a problem

When I read "bad rep" in this context, I would expect this is with other professionals in the field, not with students. In my book, someone who only gives out 1 or 2 As total per course per semester out of 100-200 students but is a great researcher and teacher, in my opinion, is an EXCELLENT professor. Sure, his standards might be high, but if the expectation for an A is top 1%, then so be it. That is going to be helpful to you (if you got an A). On the other hand, to me a professor "with a bad reputation" might be someone known for having falsified data on his research projects or known to have committed repeated human rights violations through his research. (Of course, Dr. Philip Zimbardo is arguably the most powerful man alive across the various subfields of psychology and his human rights/ethics violations are pretty egregious and the character he has shown since certainly leaves something to be desired...just goes to show that if you're ridiculously good at what you do, people will forgive you for just about any harm you may cause a few disposable college students.... 😱)

 

[ddtdoc]

1) Who gave you this sage insight?
2) Why do they have a bad reputation?
3) Can you actually trust this information?

(sent from my phone - please forgive typos and brevity)

he has a sexual harassment against him and it seemed to me he is not well liked by his peers. it is the first case that had brought against him and he has been here for 30 + years. but according to my premed advisor, the recommednation I got was his first in a few years. I am really worried, is there any thing I can do to minimize this effect?

 

[jkm07]

he has a sexual harassment against him and it seemed to me he is not well liked by his peers. it is the first case that had brought against him and he has been here for 30 + years. but according to my premed advisor, the recommednation I got was his first in a few years. I am really worried, is there any thing I can do to minimize this effect?

Um. Yeah. Try to get another LOR. Whether the allegations are true or not, this is a lose/lose situation for you.

 

[Flim Flam Man]

he has a sexual harassment against him and it seemed to me he is not well liked by his peers. it is the first case that had brought against him and he has been here for 30 + years. but according to my premed advisor, the recommednation I got was his first in a few years. I am really worried, is there any thing I can do to minimize this effect?

don't give that LOR to any schools, you could hold onto in case you absolutely can't find any other letter but don't send it out yet