Letter of Reference

safetypin00
Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:51:58 +0000

I disagree. Some parts may be exaggerated, but I don’t think my LOR writers will write anything about me that is not true. The thing is, it is all in HOW things are stated and even MORE importantly, what is NOT stated. Believe me, people know how to make something look positive, when really, it is not very positive at all. Furthermore, a lot of times profs are writing these letters and they will be read by people who know them, especially if you are applying in the same subfield, and they don’t want to look bad either. They don’t want to recommend someone who they don’t think is up to par to people they actually know.

I think a letter from a grad student isn’t just a neutral add-on, it is a huge negative.