Quality of LOR “other” choices

pv123

pv123

10-Year Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2011
Messages
200
Curious if it is frowned upon choosing “other” LORs who are Col or Gen rankings.
 
I think the quality of the LOR is dependent on the nature of the relationship between the recommender and candidate. It obviously doesn't hurt if the recommender knows you well and can speak on your character and attributes specifically and has a military background. If it's an acquaintance or "friend of parent" that doesn't really know you as an individual, I don't think that makes a very strong LOR regardless of the rank of the person writing it. And I certainly wouldn't recommend asking someone that you know distantly if they didn't offer first. Strong LORs are written by people who can write very specifically on you as a person, (ie teachers, bosses, coaches.)
 
Just to add an example; If a General offers to write an LOR to my son but doesn’t really know him that well, should my son accept it?
 
pv123 said:
Just to add an example; If a General offers to write an LOR to my son but doesn’t really know him that well, should my son accept it?
Click to expand...
If the GO writes in a way that talks about your son then yes. If he mainly refers to good family, great upbringing, or things more nebulous, then they don't hold as much weight. As a GO, I would hope they know how to write a quality LOR. That is why a quality resume with activities and accomplishments goes a long way to assisting a rec writer with content to focus upon.
 
pv123 said:
Just to add an example; If a General offers to write an LOR to my son but doesn’t really know him that well, should my son accept it?
Click to expand...
I would still go back to the relationship and the nature of the offer. Was it someone being polite and if you don't bring it back up, they will forget they made the offer? Or is it a neighbor or close enough family friend that they could be offended if you didn't take them up on the offer. If it someone who likely might feel snubbed if you don't take them up on it, then yes, definitely take them up on it. If it is someone who mentioned it in passing (like a social event, party type of thing) and it was just in politeness, and you don't feel they would be the best person to speak on behalf of your son, then I would let it go. I think only you (your son) is going to know enough of the specifics to know the best course of action. But either way, it is great that the offer was made!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top