Authentic or Damaging: LORs which mention a weakness

[kdavid]

I've heard some professors mention that they always try to mention some weakness and how that weakness was improved upon in LORs.

 

Do the most competitive applicants have absolutely perfect LORs, which mention no weaknesses whatsoever, or do all "ideal" LORs mention some weakness (and how that was improved)?

 

Thoughts?

[dr. t]

I mean a panegyric is going to be looked at with some suspicion, I would think, but the letter should be complementary. I've been told some people have problems with LoRs from the UK because the culture over there does not utilize superlatives in the way that is expected over here.

 

I suppose it comes down to what sort of flaws we're talking about. Pointing out that you have a tendency to try to do too much will probably not be a big deal, but I'm pretty sure harping on your cocaine addiction and how they wish you would really stop will cause problems.