- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 29
Last edited:
How Do I Know/Ask If My LOR is Bad?
- Thread starter Future MD/PhD
- Start date
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2016
- Messages
- 625
- Reaction score
- 557
First, why do you think it will be a bad letter?
Second, I'd vote ask. My mother taught at a college and was upfront. She'd tell someone she'd write a letter but it wouldn't be a good one, and they'd usually withdraw the request. N=1, but at least there's a chance of finding out, while there's none with not asking. And if she gets offended by the asking, then she probably doesn't like you anyways and wouldn't have written a great letter anyways. Unless you plan to continue working with her, I doubt you're burning any bridges here.
Second, I'd vote ask. My mother taught at a college and was upfront. She'd tell someone she'd write a letter but it wouldn't be a good one, and they'd usually withdraw the request. N=1, but at least there's a chance of finding out, while there's none with not asking. And if she gets offended by the asking, then she probably doesn't like you anyways and wouldn't have written a great letter anyways. Unless you plan to continue working with her, I doubt you're burning any bridges here.
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 29
I wasn't always the most professional in her lab, mostly because I was young and learning how to be an adult. I also left on somewhat shaky ground, but I asked her about it and she reassured me that she wouldn't have consented to write the letter if it wasn't going to be strong. I think SDN just made me feel paranoid about having a bad letter in my file.
