So here’s the story. I reached out to my chemistry tutor to help me with a letter of recommendation and she said okay. When I sent her my resume (brag sheet), she told me that she is comfortable writing my rec for me but if I felt someone else was more suitable that I should ask them.
I then asked her if she could help me write another open rec for a scholarship and she frankly told me that she didn’t know me well enough.
Should I still accept her recommendation letter for my college apps?
Yes, I’d look for a different teacher rec.
Why are you asking a tutor? Shouldn’t a teacher be writing your LOR?
I’m an international student. We use the tutor/lecturer system. We typically ask our tutors for our recommendation letters.
Damn I’m screwed. One of my other tutors just left my high school and this is the only tutor that I can request a LOR from. I know that another tutor wrote a rec for me but he openly told my class that the recs that he wrote are generic.
I only have 5 tutors from grades 11 and 12 
Should I reach out to my grade 9/10 teachers? Or should I use the generic LOR since my chemistry tutor is unlikely to write a strong LOR?
I thought you were applying 1-2 years ago, is this for transfer? Also, readers should be aware you’re international, hence the ref to a tutor.
I did apply 1/2 years ago but I’m reapplying. I’m currently undergoing military conscription so we do have some time. Damn US applications are really tough. Admissions to universities across the pond are a lot less stressful. Well, I guess I have quite a bit of work to do on my end.
I was asked to write a LOR for a friend as she applied to an elite summer program. I knew her well, but only in a social setting. I made the same comment, that someone else might do a better job. The friend was insistent. I did the best job that I could. We have just learned that the friend was not accepted to the program. I feel terrible. I am not sure I have the answer for you, but I think it is a valid concern.
For the scholarship was asking for things that would not have been apparent outside of an academic setting? Such as community service leadership?
Hmm not really. I just had another conversation with her and she said this:
I am comfortable writing one for you, I think that you are not comfortable.
Am I overthinking this?
//doublepost
I guess you could have taken the tutor’s initial comment to mean she didn’t want to write the rec because she didn’t feel like she could promote you as a student that she had positive opinion of; I might have received it that way too.
Maybe she didn’t realize she gave you that feeling. She could have meant that she doesn’t know you well enough to do you justice? If she is your only option, I would go for it and let her write it. Doesn’t seem like you have a choice. Only you know what kind of impression you have made on her.