What "kind" of letter?

[pirateyoho]

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Hey guys!

I recently asked a veterinarian that I did a research internship under last year if she would write one of my letters of recommendation for my vet school app. She said yes, but she also asked me to hint at what "kind" of letter I needed, and I'm just not sure how to answer that question? I know she's written numerous letters for vet school applications before, and she knows me very well (as we worked together quite extensively), so I'm wondering what she's fishing for, exactly? Anyone have any ideas of how I can clarify?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gwenevre]

Maybe she's asking what qualities you want her to exemplify in her letter. Example, I ask my work supervisor to talk about my work ethic and dedication to projects, as well as self-management; professor about my academic qualities and working together (I was TA for his class); vet about my ability to communicate with veterinary team.

 

[StartingoverVet]

you should always ask
"can you write a positive LOR for me"
positive or strong or favorable.

She might be indicating that she cannot recommend you strongly. Or just trying to help you with your others.

By asking for a highly favorable LOR, you give them the out of saying no and not screwing you.

 

[NStarz]

Or she may be asking what you would like her to write about (academics, work ethic, etc.)

 

[Escalla]

I've always been bothered by the fact that you need to add in the "favourable/positive" when asking for an LOR. I understand why and agree it should be done (to cover your butt), but why people can't just suck it up and be honest about preferring not to write a letter and instead string the applicant up with a negative one is beyond me.

Also I always figured the "recommendation" in LOR clearly meant a letter in a positive light.

It's just one thing that pisses me off I guess.

/rant

 

[pirateyoho]

Thanks for the input! I really hadn't even considered that I had to specify that I wanted a positive recommendation. That seemed like such an inherent part of the request to me. It'll come in handy for asking others for letters, I guess. Thanks again!

 

[DVMDream]

I've always been bothered by the fact that you need to add in the "favourable/positive" when asking for an LOR. I understand why and agree it should be done (to cover your butt), but why people can't just suck it up and be honest about preferring not to write a letter and instead string the applicant up with a negative one is beyond me.

Also I always figured the "recommendation" in LOR clearly meant a letter in a positive light.

It's just one thing that pisses me off I guess.

/rant

I have to agree with this.

Recommendation by definition is positive. Therefore a recommendation letter should be considered a positive letter about a person. I am not entirely sure how anyone could write a negative letter or even think that be suggested when someone asks for a letter of RECOMMENDATION. Writing something negative goes directly against the definition of the word. I guess someone could write, "I recommend that you do not accept this person for vet school". But that does not even sound correct as it isn't using recommend in a proper way, a better word there would be advise.

I would have to say that asking if someone can write you a STRONG recommendation letter seems perfectly acceptable to ask. As you want strong, well-written LOR's, but I don't see how writing something negative could even be thought of or considered when someone is asking for a LOR.

 

[lhmhtd]

you should always ask
"can you write a positive LOR for me"
positive or strong or favorable.

She might be indicating that she cannot recommend you strongly. Or just trying to help you with your others.

By asking for a highly favorable LOR, you give them the out of saying no and not screwing you.

^this!
I have asked a few professors and a vet and I say something like "hey, I'm applying to vet school and I'd love if you could write me an awesome letter of recommendation-- is this something you could do?" I also have offered to email them my personal statement, so they can get a better idea of WHY I'm applying in the first place, what my career goals are, etc. That way they're not having to start from scratch. The easier you make it for them, the better.

 

[WillowLeaf]

If you know her pretty well, can you just ask her what she means? Just say you're happy to give her more information but you're not sure what she's looking for?

I've always been bothered by the fact that you need to add in the "favourable/positive" when asking for an LOR. I understand why and agree it should be done (to cover your butt), but why people can't just suck it up and be honest about preferring not to write a letter and instead string the applicant up with a negative one is beyond me.

Also I always figured the "recommendation" in LOR clearly meant a letter in a positive light.

It's just one thing that pisses me off I guess.

/rant

I agree. I didn't even realize that was an issue. It seems weird that anyone would have to include "positive" LOR because that's kind of the whole point of a LOR...

 

[StartingoverVet]

If you know her pretty well, can you just ask her what she means? Just say you're happy to give her more information but you're not sure what she's looking for?

I agree. I didn't even realize that was an issue. It seems weird that anyone would have to include "positive" LOR because that's kind of the whole point of a LOR...

There are plenty of degrees of recommending someone.
You want to make sure you are getting a glowing recommendation.

For example:
I am sure WL will do fine in vet school. She has adequately fulfilled all the class requirements, and was slightly above average. She was always punctual and had decent attendance.

WL will excel at vet school. She was among the most enthusiastic students I taught, and quickly grasped all the most difficult concepts. I rarely come across an individual so well-suited to be in the field of veterinary medicine.

They are both recommendations. Make sure you know which one you will receive.

 

[DVMDream]

There are plenty of degrees of recommending someone.
You want to make sure you are getting a glowing recommendation.

For example:
I am sure WL will do fine in vet school. She has adequately fulfilled all the class requirements, and was slightly above average. She was always punctual and had decent attendance.

WL will excel at vet school. She was among the most enthusiastic students I taught, and quickly grasped all the most difficult concepts. I rarely come across an individual so well-suited to be in the field of veterinary medicine.

They are both recommendations. Make sure you know which one you will receive.

That is why I say a strong recommendation letter seems right. To me, recommendation indicates positive so asking for a positive LOR is redundant in my mind. But I see the reason for why there needs to be a distinction when asking for a LOR.

 

[StartingoverVet]

That is why I say a strong recommendation letter seems right. To me, recommendation indicates positive so asking for a positive LOR is redundant in my mind. But I see the reason for why there needs to be a distinction when asking for a LOR.

I agree. Strong recommendation is good word choice.

 

[yogapony]

Maybe you're overanalyzing her response and she was just asking if it was a paper/hard copy letter or an eLOR. Only way to know for sure is to ask!

 

[WillowLeaf]

There are plenty of degrees of recommending someone.
You want to make sure you are getting a glowing recommendation.

For example:
I am sure WL will do fine in vet school. She has adequately fulfilled all the class requirements, and was slightly above average. She was always punctual and had decent attendance.

WL will excel at vet school. She was among the most enthusiastic students I taught, and quickly grasped all the most difficult concepts. I rarely come across an individual so well-suited to be in the field of veterinary medicine.

They are both recommendations. Make sure you know which one you will receive.

Yeah. I guess the "positive" part seems weird because they're both positive, just different degrees of positive. But that makes sense to include something about a strong LOR. I never thought about it because I assumed someone would realize I'd like a strong LOR and hopefully tell me if they couldn't write one.

 

[LetItSnow]

All this talk about the nuances of the word 'recommend' has apparently already caused heartburn for other people .... if you look at VMCAS, I think they pretty carefully use the term "letter of evaluation".... and many schools use the term "letter of reference". Maybe that's why. Dunno.

 

[LetItSnow]

Oh. Another thing to keep in mind ... with VMCAS and vet school references/evaluations/recommendations/whatever term you like ... it's not just a letter. There is an entire section of "On a scale of 1-5" kind of things that evaluators are asked to fill out.

At least, there was when I went through the process. One of my evaluators printed it out and then took me out for lunch so we could go over the whole application process together. Was amazingly kind of her.

 

[WillowLeaf]

All this talk about the nuances of the word 'recommend' has apparently already caused heartburn for other people .... if you look at VMCAS, I think they pretty carefully use the term "letter of evaluation".... and many schools use the term "letter of reference". Maybe that's why. Dunno.

But...!

J/k. It probably varies by evaluator, so it's probably a good idea to err on the safe side and make it clear that you're looking for strong positive references/whatever the better wording of this is.

 

[dovelover]

All this talk about the nuances of the word 'recommend' has apparently already caused heartburn for other people .... if you look at VMCAS, I think they pretty carefully use the term "letter of evaluation".... and many schools use the term "letter of reference". Maybe that's why. Dunno.

But, but... eLOR stands for electronic letter of recommendation!!! 🙄

 

[LetItSnow]

But, but... eLOR stands for electronic letter of recommendation!!! 🙄

I highly recommended that they didn't accept you. Sigh. 😉

 

[dovelover]

I highly recommended that they didn't accept you. Sigh. 😉

😱.......😛

 

[StartingoverVet]

I highly recommend you avoid this thread.

 

[DVMDream]

I highly recommend you avoid this thread.