How can I get my professor to understand that I deserve a chance?

Question

I asked a professor for a letter of recommendation, but the professor refuses citing the quality of my work as a reason. I understand that my work is mediocre, at best. However, I feel , since I have been a compliant and respectable student ,that I deserve a chance. I do not want to ask for a letter of this kind from someone who does not wish to write it. However, the professors ( due to my major) who are familiar with my work are very few, and I do not know what to do.

All the answers have been honest. Thank you all. To clarify a bit ( not that it will change the answers) I never missed class, took work seriously, and got okay grades ( B's mostly ,although I prefer better). The problem is that the professor says that although I do well, I will get in over my head by applying for this university.

Answer 1

The short answer is that you can't short of changing your ways.

You don't specify what this letter of recommendation is for? an employer? graduate school?

You have really answered your own question by admitting that your work is mediocre (and you go on to qualify it by saying 'at best'). Professors are a strange bunch (I know - I was a biochemistry professor for 30+ years) and reputation is very important to them. I would never have written a letter of recommendation for anybody unless tI felt they deserved it. In some cases, it puts my reputation on the line (and some people believe that the damaged reputation extends all the way to their department and institution).

You mention that because of your major, there are very few professors who are familiar with your work. Since most employers and graduate schools request 3 letters - Are you trying to suggest that there are only 3 professors you can ask? I find that hard to believe.

1. What did the other people you asked say?
2. Is your mediocrity confined to just this professor's class(es)?
3. What does compliant and respectable mean to you? Why should you think that this is enough to give you a chance?

One of the problems in your thinking is that you feel you are the decision maker 'I feel, since...., or 'I deserve...." That isn;t the case in reality.

My suggestions
1. If the mediocrity is confined to this professor and his classes, do everybody a favour and request a letter from someone else
2. If mediocrity pervades your academic life, pick up the bootstraps and get yourself a few notches above mediocrity, You'll be rewarded in the end.

Hey, if you make that change in this professor's class, he may reward the extra effort with a letter.

Sorry to be harsh, but I speak from personal experience. I've had to politely decline the requests of many students.

Answer 2

ProfessorX is right in the above answer. I will reiterate that answerer's advice NOT to push the professor to write a letter for you. The harder a person pressures someone else for a favor, the less likely the person is going to sway. Plus, the letter would probably reflect your self-labeled "mediocrity" as well as your pressure on the professor; people who write letters of recommendation on a regular basis know how to say things in subtle ways that employers or other school admissions officers will get it.

You've also said that you "deserve a chance." No one is entitled to benefit from someone else's work or effort, especially if the asker has not been especially productive for that person.

Find someone else to write a letter, and if your options in your major area are depleted, consider someone from another discipline in which you performed well. This person can speak about your qualities in a more abstract manner.

Answer 3

Your professor has actually done you a service. Weak letters of recommendation will get you nowhere, and of course, mediocre work will never earn a strong letter. If the letter you seek is for graduate school admissions, your professor is telling you that s/he cannot be supportive of your candidacy for this level of work. You should NOT attempt to change this professor's mind.

You note that you have been a "compliant and respectable student," but these qualities are not sufficient grounds for a good letter of recommendation. And again, if the letter is for a graduate school application, hard work is insufficient. In order to merit a strong letter, a student must have demonstrated outstanding capabilities.

You need to find a professor for whom you have done superb work. That professor will be delighted to write a strong recommendation for you. If you cannot find one within your major, you might want to consider professors in other departments who are impressed with your work, and can truthfully testify to your demonstrated abilities, and potential for future growth.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 4

Find another professor who will do so for you.

If you haven't been given the retort already, you'll be told that in the real life "effort" doesn't count for anything, and though you may have been a dutiful student, the quality of your work is what will matter, and in no way they will endorse someone whose work is subpar in their eyes.

Unless you can find out how to redeem yourself in their eyes, you are likely SOL.

Answer 5

Show him that you have potential and he's most likely to give you a letter of recommendation and if that doesnt work then that professor is messed up

Answer 6

You said yourself that your work was mediocre at best. Do you want them to write a letter establishing the fact that you are mediocre, as i do not think that would impress too many of the people reading it.

Answer 7

How hard are you working?

Always in class, never missing? Always submit all assignments on time, and have put effort into them?

If you aren't workign hard, then what makes you think you deserve someone's recommendation, if you are not meeting their requirements? it's their **** if you are just mediochre.

Sorry, tough love.

Answer 8

if u hav failed then just kee on raising ur hand in the class or just try to answer all the ques , do ur clsswork the fastest never create indispline try to sit on the first bench then u will suerly improve &&&&& remember to flunk ur classes never talk in vain& thats it best of luck

Answer 9

The you do a good work so that he can reccomend you.