What does a "lukewarm" letter of recom usually mean?

[jjmann]

We always hear that "lukewarm" letters are not good and should avoid it at all possible costs... but what does a lukewarm letter usually mean? Can anyone give an example or idea of what will be the contents of a lukewarm letter? or how it might sound like? if someone has 2 very good leteters and 1 good letter, then will that 1 good letter become a lukewarm letter?
Thanks in advance

[Luckykid]

XXX, was my student and did sufficient work while in class.

signed,
luke warm letter writer.

[Karina 07]

The definition of "lukewarm" imho should depend on what kind of school you're trying to get into, though I don't think people tend to think about it that way.

But try to get into a really great school, and letters like this look bad: "X was my student in A, B and C, and I supervised his thesis. [Insert some details.] X is very intelligent and hard-working and probably in the upper 20-30% of his class." (I'd expect you'd need a prof to think you better than just that kind of percentile, I mean!)

[Palimpsest]

Originally Posted by Karina 07

The definition of "lukewarm" imho should depend on what kind of school you're trying to get into, though I don't think people tend to think about it that way.

But try to get into a really great school, and letters like this look bad: "X was my student in A, B and C, and I supervised his thesis. [Insert some details.] X is very intelligent and hard-working and probably in the upper 20-30% of his class." (I'd expect you'd need a prof to think you better than just that kind of percentile, I mean!)

I would agree with Karina. Most schools' recommendation forms ask the prof to rate you relative to other students, whether that means you are upper 20-30%, best in your class, best in 5 years, or best in 2 decades. The significance of these ratings varies a lot based on where you studied for undergrad as well as the institution to which you are applying. I went to a top 25 public, top 40 econ school. For top 15 or 20 apps, I'd say a lukewarm rec for me would be something like "he was in the top 10% of his class". I think I'd really need a "Best I've had in years" or "As good as my former student, who is succeeding at school Y's PhD program." But obviously, if I had gone to say MIT, and Daron Acemoglu is writing my letter, then "Best I've had in years" is probably not a lower bound for a successful application.

Basically, this a really long-winded way of saying that what is and is not lukewarm is relative. I think the consensus on this board is that to figure out the "temperature" of the letter, you ought to simultaneously ask where that prof thinks you ought to be applying.

-----------------------------------------
Common Tragedies--An environmental economics blog.

[treasuries]

Originally Posted by Karina 07

But try to get into a really great school, and letters like this look bad: "X was my student in A, B and C, and I supervised his thesis. [Insert some details.] X is very intelligent and hard-working and probably in the upper 20-30% of his class." (I'd expect you'd need a prof to think you better than just that kind of percentile, I mean!)

If instead the quoted percentile would be "in the upper 5%" of his class, would that be a good letter now, instead of lukewarm?

[IntEcon80]

So what is a professor supposed to say then other than he is one my best student, and such and such? With all the work that professors have to do, do you guys really beleive they will spend hours trying to write a somewhat unique letter.

As I was a theoretical physics major, one my recommender told me that in the letter he wrote me, he said that he pretty much talked about the project I did in his course, computational physics. He compared my final project with that of the other students and said that I finished the project earlier than everyone else and that it was the best one. Of course he said other things, but that was the main highlight of the letter. Is such letter a "lukewarm#?

[fp3690]

I dont really have to say anything on the topic, but its really interesting, it should be hot again

[08Applicant]

I worried about the whole percent issue. I took real analysis with 25 students. About 20 were math majors (maybe 15+ considering math for grad school), 4 were grad students, some in engineering (1 was an econ phd student, my former TA), and me. I was the only "applied math" undergrad as the "pure math" kids liked to call me.

Both quarters I was ranked 7-10 in the class. He handed out rankings twice midway through the courses. Both quarters I got an A-. Should I be expected to compete with 20 math majors in their senior year when most had already had 5-8 upper division proof-based courses in abstract algebra, linear algebra, differential equations, or topology. I had ONE upper division course under my belt when I started real analysis: intro linear algebra.

My professor knew I was there for econ and he knew I was less prepared than most there. Even if he qualifies his statement and says something like, "He was the top 30% of the class despite such and such disadvantages."

Will Harvard give a crap or will they just think, "potential? maybe. but here's another kid who got the A."

I don't know the answer.

EDIT: Since it was over a year ago I had forgotten. I never finished the pre-reqs for Real Analysis. I had to ask the professor to let me in. I actually finished the last pre-req course one quarter after I finished real analysis. Is that worth mentioning in a statement of purpose?

[Ancalagon The Black]

I am from India and whilst asking my professors for recommendations, I had asked them to write in sufficient detail and had given the recommendation evaluation form that most schools have where they give directions to the letter writers.

I saw my own recommendations where all 3 of my professors have said that I was one of the best in research ability in their careers and definitely in the top 2-5% (this varies from professor to professor) (My class rank is top 2%)

They also went into great detail about my class ranking, percentage, course load, projects, research papers and other extra curricular activities. They also attached brief biography's and courses which I have taken of themselves (at my request) so that they adcoms can judge that these professors are experienced hands at teaching in a good school.

Are these lukewarm letters for good schools? Actually, I have no way to judge because we don't have this system here.

[savingtheplanet]

Ancalagon, your letters obviously cannot be called lukewarm -- they are filled with superlatives. However, depending on where in India you are applying from, your letter-writers may be completely unknown to the adcoms. This would probably result in some deflation when your letters are being interpreted.

Are your letter-writers economists? letters from non-economists are typically disregarded -- i have even been told by people on adcoms that they simply do not read letters by non-economists. are your letter writers able to compare you with others who have gone on to top departments?