<p>It was a personal college recommendation sheet.
It had an area to rate the student on certain areas which were (I received 9's on all):</p>
<p>Academic preparation 1-9
Work ethic 1-9
Initiative 1-9
Leadership 1-9
Concern for others 1-9
Emotional stability 1-9
Respect for others' beliefs 1-9
Acceptance of diversity 1-9
Integrity 1-9
Service to others 1-9</p>
<p>and then it had an area for "additional information" and it said to attach an additional sheet if necessary. My recommender (who happens to be my employer, a veterinarian, and knows my major is Pre-Veterinary Medicine) wrote:
Laurren will make _______ very proud. She is a very hard worker and a very good student. In my opinion, she will make an outstanding (with lines underneath it) veterinarian.</p>
<p>The it was put that I was recommended highly with a line underneath "highly" to make it stand out.</p>
<p>Is this good enough? I hate to say, "hey, this wasn't good enough, can you write me another sheet?" I'm not applying to an Ivy, just a state private college. So?</p>
<p>Oh umm that’s unusual… Anyway you can’t go back and say “hey, this wasn’t good enough, can you write me another sheet?” that’s SUPER RUDE!</p>
<p>Now to the letter, yeah that letter isn’t the best. It tells like nothing about you and it seems like they did it as a favor to you. Honestly, I don’t know what you should do. Maybe ask your science teacher to give you one as well and send them both in?</p>
<p>That letter, unfortunately, will hurt you. Do not submit that. It tells nothing about you and it will make the adcoms think you wrote it. So yes, get another recommendation to make it for this one. That is quite a situation… I would feel very awkward!</p>
<p>Would it be bad for me to write a paragraph or two on word processor detailing how long I’ve worked with him, conversations we’ve had, and other things? It’s all true, but it would be lying, wouldn’t it? Saying it was him.</p>
<p>Yeah Laurren it wouldn’t be a good idea, unfortunately, to add something to the essay. That letter, and I feel horrible saying this, is a lost cause. It would be detrimental to submit that because it would seem that he had nothing to say about you. </p>
<p>So yes, just go with your teacher recommendations. THANKFULLY he showed it to you, though. And don’t worry about it, you’ll be fine!</p>
<p>Can you write a note to him or talk to him, saying thank you so much for the recommendation, I’m really looking forward to studying to become a vet and I think this will help me a lot, by the way would you mind adding more details about my work experience and specific examples? I think that input would greatly enhance my application thank you… I’m sure he’d be happy to if you ask very appreciatively</p>
<p>Yes, I’d go back to him and explain that because you are home schooled, you have no teacher recommendations so you are hoping that his letter of rec will take the place of a teacher recommendation. It would therefore be very helpful if he could elaborate on why exactly he thinks you would be 1) an asset to the schools you are applying to, 2) a good fit with those schools and 3) a great vet.</p>
<p>Most high school students at large public high schools in our county give their guidance counselors lots of information to help them write a rec, since the gc may not know the student personally. These info sheets usually include information about the individual’s personal goals, major achievements, greatest challenges overcome, most outstanding characteristics, principal contributions, etc…and gc’s often take that wording verbatim to use in their recommendation letters. Teachers often do the same.</p>
<p>What is the worst that can happen here? He’s already written a letter that isn’t going to be very helpful. At this point, he can just say he’s too busy to expand on what he’d already written. Or expand on it but still say nothing particularly meaningful. But I doubt he’d be offended or upset if he understands why you are asking.</p>
<p>If you’ve known him for 12 years… I think it wouldn’t hurt to go back and politely explain and request another one this time telling in detail what you need</p>
<p>Hi Laurren, It’s also important that the letter is sealed and signed with the author’s signature over the seal or it may not be considered authentic.</p>
<p>I agree with M’s mom. Perhaps you can make an appointment with him to let him know you have looked further into what is required and ask if he would please expand on his letter. Then discuss your goals, and also your activities and achievements so he knows more about you. Bring a copy of the info on the link she suggested.</p>
<p>Yes, he’s busy, but he may really want to help you and not know exactly what he needs to do. Does he have a secretary/receptionist? He can dictate the letter and have the receptionist type it. If he does give you a copy, you still need at least a few that are sealed for each school if you are going to mail them. Make sure you know exactly what he needs to do so you don’t have to ask again. Don’t assume he knows what to do as the application processed has changed since we applied to schools. </p>
<p>Also check the applications. Many of them are online and require the letter be sent by e mail. When you put his e mail in the application, it will generate an e mail address to him and instructions for sending the letter by e mail. If the receptionist keeps a copy on file in the computer, you can ask him/her for additional copies if you need them and the veterinarian would not have to do this himself.</p>
<p>He gave you all 9’s so he would likely do a good one. I would get all the ducks in a row- application instructions, information, and so on, return to him and say that the schools require it be done this way and ask if he would revise his letter.</p>
<p>If he refuses, then this would not have been the letter you want anyway. Don’t fret, it happens and I hope it does not this time. When I was in school, I had a prof write a bad letter after he gave me an A. I don’t know why- he may have forgotten me (large class) or just not have been a nice person. I was too intimidated at the time to ask him why after that. I had to ask another prof who gave me a good one. If this person wants to help you, he will.</p>
<p>I concur w/M’s Mom’s advice. Anecdotes and breadth are important rather than fluffy generalities. Since you’re homeschooled, this rec letter becomes even more important. Read thru that MIT website and you’ll see what distinguishes a useful vs. a non-useful rec letter.</p>
<p>He can still use the school form but just expand on the additional information section with more details about you and why he would recommend you. This would make it a stronger letter.</p>
<p>Is there anyone else at the vet clinic who could also write a letter for you - a tech or someone like that? If that person could provide the kind of detail expected in such a letter, then this positive but really vague one from the Dr could be submitted as a supplemental letter.</p>