Just received a 'weak' positive LOR... What do I do?

[wardword]

I've worked within the same department as this professor for three years and I've taken two classes with him. Made A's in both classes. He was the one who even suggested that he would write a letter for me when I mentioned a few months ago that I wanted to go to graduate school. I gave him a copy of my CV, a list of my research interests and accomplishments, and he also asked for some personal touches like my hobbies, so I gave him a list of that.

 

Well he sent it to me today and it's FIVE sentences, double-spaced! It's positive, says I'm a talented researcher and writer, but that's it.  Doesn't mention that I've worked for him, doesn't mention the classes I've taken with him, nothing. It says I'm focused and passionate, but it's very, very vague.

 

What do I do? This professor was supposed to be my STRONGEST rec, not my weakest. I'm really freaking out now.

[Loric]

At first I wanted to console you, saying it's not so bad.. was even going to say the one letter writer who wrote mine didn't write something long... then I pulled it up and his seemingly brief letter was 4 paragraphs and touched on pretty much everything in my life.

 

Well, many programs let you have an extra letter.. so there's that.. if it's already been submitted. Maybe redirect your approach with other writers? And find a spare..?

 

When I asked for my letters, I didn't do the CV/resume thing (as i hadn't gotten mine anywhere near finished and polished yet.) So instead they got a listing under the header "Work I've Done For You" and then "How You'll Probably Remember Who I Am" (this was a bit of a joke, but it mentioned the quirkier stuff I've done working for them - like that time I stood on a bucket of "mice" in storage, fell off, and had a shelf of "mammal pelts" fall on top of me.) I think that worked better than them trying to speak for the rest of my life.. rather, just what they'd know themself but with a little guidance.

 

I also told them what the overall idea I was trying to craft was. The message I wanted my full app to convey and the part I was hoping the would play in it.

[Loric]

I don't think I put enough emphasis on the "not freaking out" and moving to "damage control and course correction." 

 

That's where you need to think. You've had your 10 seconds of complete panic and fear. Now you move on and do what you can to make it better. There are things you can do and things are not irreparably broken.

[TexasGuy]

I dont think it's so bad. It seems like its really positive. Hell, the conciseness of the letter may be a good thing. he got to the point and mentioned the important things- that you're a great researcher.... and that you're focused and passionate.

[reinhard]

I can relate. One of my supervisors wrote a less than 500 word letter and there are almost no anecdotes. It contains nothing but generic stuff like "A in my class" and talks about a proposed research which was meant for a scholarship, and not for graduate admission...