Weird remark in recommendation...

[elliepants]

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I'm probably overthinking this, but I need some input.

In one of my recommendations a professor wrote that I had "examined" his new puppy (he often brought her to class). This wasn't the case, she was vomiting out both ends and I checked her CRT to see if she was majorly dehydrated. Then I told him to see a vet (because she was majorly dehydrated).

Anyway, I'm afraid that the adcoms are going to read this as "this girl thinks she can do patient exams"!?!?

I thought about contacting the schools, but that seems a little... obnoxious.

What would you do?

 

[bruinvetman]

I think you're reading too much into it. If anything, I think its a good remark because it shows that your professor values your judgement. I would not call admissions office over something small like that

 

[sumstorm]

I would be concerned over that comment as well, but only because the standard answer is always 'take your pet to your vet' because even if the dog wasn't dehydrated, you don't know that something isn't really wrong.

However, there isn't anything you can do about it at this point. Hopefully it will be skimmed over and not raise any flags.

 

[BlacKAT33]

i wouldnt worry about it too much. poor choice in words but he probably didnt even notice because if you dont work at a clinic you dont always assume examine means... well to examine like an exam. maybe he had written "looked over" first and realized that was a crappy word to use in a professional letter and wanted to make it stand out more. either way, i doubt that would have an effect on whether or not you get an interview and if you do get one, you can always explain it then to clear your mind.

 

[BlacKAT33]

also, keep in mind that is a tiny thing to worry about and others may have worse things written in their eLORs. For example, i had 3 great people write one for me, i have known them all for a while adn worked with all of them. however, one of them is foreign and she automatically thinks any US education system is a piece of cake compared to overseas. she literally thinks ill get into all my vet schools with my avg. grades/gre. it makes me mad how she puts US vet schools and all US education systems down. On top of this, during a random conversation one time leadership came up and she said she knew i was a follower not a leader. and i was like WUT?! in my mind, and we had a long convo with me defending my butt but nothing changed her mind even tho i was president of a chemistry fraternity and super involved with a TON of volunteer activities (basically ran everything myself... if youve been president you know how it is). nothing changed her mind and i kept insisting she hadnt seen that side of me in lab because im the only postbacc in lab. Why would i try to "lead" my PI and two long term techs ?? all of which know more than me. ARGG who knows what she said in my letter about leadership!!

sry needed to vent

 

[squibby]

How about mine: "She has high expectations for herself, and others." In thinking about that now I sound critical, judgmental, or snobby.

 

[cwazy cat lady]

Am I the only one who waived the right to read the recommendations written for me? It was recommended I do that in high school for college. I followed the same advice again...

I don't worry a second about it--in fact, it is a relief not to know. But I do wonder what ration of people waive v. dont...

thoughts/

 

[luplodw]

I waived! I didn't want my evaluators to feel uncomfortable that I could read it. It is a relief not having to dissect every word they said.

 

[cwazy cat lady]

I waived! I didn't want my evaluators to feel uncomfortable that I could read it. It is a relief not having to dissect every word they said.

Exactly... It's like I haven't had a second thought since the submission... done. Case closed... The OP made me think, what torture, having the minefield of not one--but three or more--letters to wade through over the long months. My mind would go crazy.

 

[squibby]

Am I the only one who waived the right to read the recommendations written for me? It was recommended I do that in high school for college. I followed the same advice again...

I don't worry a second about it--in fact, it is a relief not to know. But I do wonder what ration of people waive v. dont...

thoughts/

One of my reviewers sent me a copy, I didn't even ask for it. It was nice to know that someone actually wrote they think I would be a good vet!

 

[cwazy cat lady]

One of my reviewers sent me a copy, I didn't even ask for it. It was nice to know that someone actually wrote they think I would be a good vet!

Crimeney! I would hope the reference you chose would say that rather directly! 😀

 

[jpeterman13]

Am I the only one who waived the right to read the recommendations written for me?

I waived too . To the OP, I wouldn't search for something else to worry about, I'm sure you have enough on your plate already. "There's no use crying over spilled milk" 😀.

 

[No Imagination]

I waived my right to view the LoR, but asked all the people I asked write (all very close) to give me an idea of what they said about me, so I could be prepared for the interview - all of them just emailed me a copy instead of bothering to try and remember.

I am glad I did - because one of them made a few mistakes and they came up in an interview (I spent a lot of time in Ecuador - they said it was Brazil) - It was good to be prepared - rather then Interviewer - "So - tell me about Brazil?" Me - "Uhh... its big and they speak a funny version of Spanish?!"


I wouldn't worry to much about it to much at this point - but be prepared for any possible questions on the interview (but don't let up that you know about it - play naive IMO and explain you sent it to the vet right away)

 

[twelvetigers]

I waived and have relatively little idea what each evaluator said. Errh... good things, I hope? I would feel strange asking about it.

 

[squibby]

Crimeney! I would hope the reference you chose would say that rather directly! 😀

"Perhaps most importantly, I believe she would uphold the honor and integrity of our profession. I would be happy to call her a colleague." 😀

 

[twelvetigers]

Aww, that *is* nice.

 

[HopefulAg]

Am I the only one who waived the right to read the recommendations written for me?

I waived. For one, it said (and this may have just been on TMDSAS and not VMCAS, not sure which) something like "While it's not necessary to waive your status, it does show greater confidence in your materials" or something like that.

Though one of my recommendation writers didn't waive for his application and he called me up and goes "I noticed you waived, did you do that on purpose? Do you want me to e-mail you a copy?" and I had to explain for a minute or two that no, I really didn't want to see what he wrote. I felt that it's supposed to be a private assessment of my abilities and he should write whatever he feels is accurate.


Only feedback I have is my exit interviews I've had that both have "excellent letters of recommendation" written on it. So I suppose I'm going with the right people.

 

[HandD42]

I waived too and am just hopeful that the letters are concise and positive. It always feels odd to me to read a rec about yourself.

 

[BlacKAT33]

i waived but i have a general idea of what each person will write because im pretty close with them and they are all in separate areas of my life.

 

[Bearby]

I waived as well. One of my evaluators was my current employer and she sent me a copy without me asking. What she wrote was very nice and very positive but to be totally honest, I'm not concerned at all with the content of my LoRs. The three people who wrote one for me are all very close to me and I'm confident that they see me in a positive light. The only stress I've had with the LoRs is that one of my evaluators required some pushing to get it done. Since the actual receipt of it though those have been the least of my worries.

 

[elliepants]

I waived, too.

However, every one of my writers felt the need to send me the evaluations via e-mail. I almost wish they hadn't. It's given me more to worry about...

I appreciate your replies. Thanks!

 

[VeganSoprano]

An academic reference isn't supposed to know everything about vet med. A prof who trusts you enough to ask your opinion and follow your recommendations probably thinks a lot of you and your potential, and it seems like that was the thrust of the letter. Weird wordings and details that are not completely accurate are par for the course when someone is writing about someone else from memory, and that's okay.

 

[racccjlm]

If you didn't waive, how are you supposed to view the letters?

 

[VeganSoprano]

The person who wrote the letter can still let you see it. Waiving is between you and the school.

 

[racccjlm]

Hmm...still a bit confused...I didn't waive my ability to see the letters when I was working on the VMCAS application...hence, VMCAS said I could access them at a later date. So is there a way to see them on the application?

 

[DVMDream]

Hmm...still a bit confused...I didn't waive my ability to see the letters when I was working on the VMCAS application...hence, VMCAS said I could access them at a later date. So is there a way to see them on the application?

No. You will only be able to see them through VMCAS after you have been accepted to a school and only if you get accepted and only if you didn't waive the right to see them. The people who have seen their letters was because the person that wrote them the letter personally sent them a copy of it. Does that make more sense? 😉

 

[racccjlm]

No. You will only be able to see them through VMCAS after you have been accepted to a school and only if you get accepted and only if you didn't waive the right to see them. The people who have seen their letters was because the person that wrote them the letter personally sent them a copy of it. Does that make more sense? 😉

Yes! Thank you! 🙂

 

[DVMDream]

Yes! Thank you! 🙂

You're Welcome! 😀

 

[aspiringDVM]

I waived as well, but my two vet references both gave me copies of my evaluations anyways. A person I know also applied to vet school this summer, and one of our mutual evaluators was really fixated on the fact that I waived and she didn't. She told me that she felt much more comfortable writing the recommendation that had been waived (even though she handed me a copy two days later). Apparently they don't tell the evaluators that the applicants won't see the letter until they're admitted and enrolled in vet school (as per VMCAS) even if they don't waive the right to see it.

 

[sumstorm]

I had detailed discussions with my LOR's about what I hoped they would emphasize in the LOR's. I didn't want a bunch of letters that said the same thing, so I shared with each what I thought was most signficant experience wise with them, and the issues I thought they were the best to address (such as working well under stress, skill in managing people and business, skill working with animals in unusual environments, research skills, etc.) That was probably more important for me because I have been out of school for a while.

Many LOR writers (not just for vet school) have sent me copies of the LOR after....and I have sent LOR's to people after I submitted them because sometimes when you have a good professional relationship with someone, you want them to know how much you believe in them and what you see as exceptional.