Should I ask this Professor for a LOR?

[fuzzywuz]

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Hi all,

I'm trying to decide whether or not I should have this professor write my LOR. He is my professor from my seminar classes. These classes are small, so we certainly have a lot of direct interaction and have established a pretty good relationship.

He thinks I'm a great student. He even tells me that. He would say a lot of flattering things to me after discussions and such. He would literally tell me that I'm very intelligent with my thoughts and comments, great personality, and have a lot of potential to succeed.

However, he is also constantly reminding me to try and be more assertive with my opinions and views. He thinks I'm not vocal enough and that I am overly shy. I do make an effort to meet his demands and I feel I have improved through the course of the semester.

Do you think I should still ask him for a LOR despite those comments about my lack of assertiveness in group discussions? I feel like his has the potential to write me a really really strong LOR, but those latter comments make me worry that he'll incorporate it. In fact, do you think I should approach him for a reccomendation and ask him if he can write me a letter IN SUPPORT of my application to med school?


Sorry for the long post... this is quite important for me, since I dont have many professors to ask from...

Thanks!

 

[0Complications]

It sounds like he could write you a great LOR. Based on what you've described he has a unique perspective to not only note the things you excel at, but to show that once you are presented with your weaknesses and constructive criticism to overcome those weaknesses, you utilize the information you have been given and improve. Basically, you have a great foundation and are constantly striving to build on it. That's what I would call a strong drive for personal growth. 👍

If you've in fact heeded his advice and worked on your weaknesses, I would encourage you to ask him.

 

[fuzzywuz]

good advice..thanks!

 

[beats]

He sounds good to me but you can always ask him if he has any qualms about writing you a letter and if it will be positive.

 

[Fiddlergirl]

I agree with beats. Just ask him if he has any problems writing you a letter. Chances are he won't trash you to the medical schools. If it makes you feel any better, I had a similar problem last year. I wanted an LOR from a history professor I'd had several classes with. I knew he thought I was a good student, but he hated my writing style. Every single paper I got back, he would write that he loved my topic and research, but was disappointed in the writing. I asked him about it, and he said that he just wouldn't mention my writing at all in the letter, which seemed fair to me.

 

[Lshapley]

He sounds like an excellent option, to me. There is no need for him to give you all of that positive reinforcement when he talks to you, so he must see potential. Also, he knows your weaknesses and is pushing you to get better there. If he didn't think you would work to get better, he wouldn't waste his breath. I would think this prof will write you either a 100% positive letter (he seems to be in your corner) or a very positive letter with comments about where you have room to improve. A letter with mild criticism would be like gold, I would think, because it would show that this person really knows you (i.e., he didn't just cut and paste a LOR and add your name to it). Med schools don't expect you to be perfect when you apply, potential is often more important. Good luck.

 

[fuzzywuz]

Thanks everybody, I really appreciate and value all of your opinions! I will definitely pursue this!

 

[Old Grunt]

Hi all,

I'm trying to decide whether or not I should have this professor write my LOR. He is my professor from my seminar classes. These classes are small, so we certainly have a lot of direct interaction and have established a pretty good relationship.

He thinks I'm a great student. He even tells me that. He would say a lot of flattering things to me after discussions and such. He would literally tell me that I'm very intelligent with my thoughts and comments, great personality, and have a lot of potential to succeed.

However, he is also constantly reminding me to try and be more assertive with my opinions and views. He thinks I'm not vocal enough and that I am overly shy. I do make an effort to meet his demands and I feel I have improved through the course of the semester.

Do you think I should still ask him for a LOR despite those comments about my lack of assertiveness in group discussions? I feel like his has the potential to write me a really really strong LOR, but those latter comments make me worry that he'll incorporate it. In fact, do you think I should approach him for a reccomendation and ask him if he can write me a letter IN SUPPORT of my application to med school?


Sorry for the long post... this is quite important for me, since I dont have many professors to ask from...

Thanks!

He's a teacher, it's his job to give you points of improvement, especially in a seminar class.

I'd definately ask him to write you a letter. Unless he's a jerk in disguise, he recognizes that LORs are not the place for constructive criticism and will do his best to support you.