Advice Needed!

I emailed a past professor to ask to discuss the possibility of him writing a letter of recommendation. I was very thorough and explained in depth about why I felt his class would benefit my graduate study in nursing. I mentioned my grade (A) a few times in the letter, just in reference to how I feel that although I did well in the class, the benefit of learning was much greater.

I received an email back, and this was the response:

"Ask him [the TA] to write you a

letter and send it to me. I will add a line or two and mail it under

my name. If you want to do this, be sure to give me a package that includes stamped envelopes and forms for each of the places you are applying. Also, don't push the fact you received an A too strongly.

You did wind up with 89.65 points, and I decided to round it up to 90

to give you that A. Good luck with your applications."

I feel really bad now, because I feel like if he has any input on my letter of recommendation, it's going to be negative. I feel like I shouldn't even waste my time worrying about what he wrote, if this response email is any indicator. What do you guys think I should do? Run? My resources for letters of recommendation are really limited since I only completed a semester at my current university. All of my other professors were taken years back, and I doubt the would remember me. What should I do?????

Thanks

Do you work in the field of nursing? Do you know anyone who does? Does the school you are applying to insist on references being from instructors?

While I do not feel the letter as acutely as you must, I would state for you to go with your gut. To me, it seemed terribly neutral. He did state he would give you one, though he will let the TA write it and he stressed the other factor of his rounding the grade (I almost giggled, I had professors like this, in the end I rolled my eyes and gave it up to the Gods of mirth). So, I would guess it to be a lukewarm letter at best. I do not "think" it would be a bad one. He has stated he will not stress your A performance, as he felt you got it under the wire so to speak. (Know deep inside you still got it) So, while I am guessing, and mind you this is a wild guess... I don't know him, know you, know the circumstances, with too many variables to guess to weigh in a solid answer that would be dependable.

Most schools (again what are the requirements) will let you use instructors or piers. A supervisor type could also be a doctor. Do you know one? Are you established with one who would recommend you?

"There is more than one way to skin a cat..."

Quit stressing, if you are. It will be ok. He is one person. I am sure you know many, if you only think about it.

Thanks for the help JALEXSHOE - the programs that I am applying to require at least 2 academic references and 1 professional (supervisor) - I have a solid academic reference lined up, and my clinical nurse manager is writing the supervisor reference but this last academic reference is killing me! I wrote the TA and asked for his advice since I know him on a more personal level, and he says not to worry, that this professor is always this frank about everything. I'm beginning to think that although he would not mention receiving an A in the class (what grad school would be looking for this in a letter of recommendation anyway?) I don't think he'd write something really crabby at the end of a positive letter of recommendation and cancel everything out. My only other option is to dig back to professors from at least a year ago, who I barely even remember, so I doubt they remember me at all. What do you think?

Well, again this is conjecture, if you are on good terms with the TA and he will be the one writing it, then I would think that would be fine.

The interesting thing about applications and admission statements from doing the research I have done, that while grades certainly are helpful, the thing that stands out are differences. Many people will have A's, that is certain, and you have one in his class, so I wouldn't think it necessary for him to restate it in the reference, so I personally would find that point mute.

The thing that people find the most interesting is what makes you a person. The question they are likely to ask when debating your application, "Is this a person that would bring diversity, or fit, or perhaps make a difference in some way." An 'A' says nothing more than that the person was able to follow the rules. This is a good thing, but not the only thing...

When reading about prestigious programs, the ones that stand out I am told, where the ones who they still remembered once putting the paper down. They will get hundreds of papers with A's... You have the unique opportunity of making them remember YOU.

But if references still remain of a certain level of importance to you, then if your other 2 are very solid and accommodating, perhaps they will maximize whatever gifts you have if you ask.

Again, go with your gut. The TA has reassured you that he thought it would all be fine. Do you like/trust/believe him/her well enough to go on what they say? Teachers get asked to do this sort of thing all the time. So don't worry so much about whether they remember you, many will do it because it is what they do. It is better if they remember you, so they can put personal tidbits in but it is not expected, especially if the other two references you have are just fine...

Whatever you decide, good luck.

Thanks for the help JALEXSHOE - the programs that I am applying to require at least 2 academic references and 1 professional (supervisor) - I have a solid academic reference lined up, and my clinical nurse manager is writing the supervisor reference but this last academic reference is killing me! I wrote the TA and asked for his advice since I know him on a more personal level, and he says not to worry, that this professor is always this frank about everything. I'm beginning to think that although he would not mention receiving an A in the class (what grad school would be looking for this in a letter of recommendation anyway?) I don't think he'd write something really crabby at the end of a positive letter of recommendation and cancel everything out. My only other option is to dig back to professors from at least a year ago, who I barely even remember, so I doubt they remember me at all. What do you think?

Hi, I thought I would chime in because I just got into a NP program and spent a lot of time getting as many quality letters as I could.

I think that a good letter is as important as *who* writes it, if not more so. If you know the TA on a personal level, but the prof is willing to sign, that sounds like a great deal. Good letter, good authority.

By your first post, it sounded as though the prof was just reminding you that an "A" is not the only important detail in a letter. ... In fact, these letters don't usually mention a grade, but what sort of student (ie motivated, inquisitive, etc) he/she is. I didn't see anything negative in his letter, it just sounded like he is the straight forward type.

I think you should give the TA as much info about you as possible so he has a lot to work with when writing the letter. Maybe even offer to take him out for coffee, or to sit down and write it together so you can make his job a little easier. The more info you supply him the better--resume, list of acheivements, list of personal qualities, academic & nursing goals, etc--that way the TA will have more to talk about and he will also see how important this is to you and probably spend more time on it. ... The more time/info in that letter, the more weight it will hold up to the admin commitee as it will appear that he knows you well.

I would also ask to see the letter before he hands it over to the prof. A lot of people do this and I think it would be a wise idea if you have any doubt he may not write an excellent letter.

You are right--the prof is not going to write anything crabby or neg, people that agree to write letters do not do that & know how imp they are, he is probaly just going to sign it and drop it in the mail honestly. He probably just offered to add something to be polite but really doesn't feel like doing any of the work.

I say, go for it, sounds like a great deal!

Best of luck!

Berkeley