Should I still use a letter of recommendation from a professor suing my university?
Hi everyone, I could really use some advice.
I’m applying to medical school this upcoming cycle and already submitted my committee letter paperwork through my university. As part of that, I listed my letter writers: three STEM professors and one humanities professor I was very close with and who knows me well.
Recently, news broke that this humanities professor is suing my university over discrimination and will not be returning next year. I was aware of the situation, but I didn’t expect it to become public this early when I initially listed them.
Now I’m unsure what to do. I’ve gotten mixed advice. Some people have told me I should avoid using their letter entirely, given the situation. Others have said it shouldn’t matter since the lawsuit has nothing to do with me, and what matters is the strength of the letter.
For context, this professor would likely write me a very strong and personal letter, especially compared to potential replacements who know me less well.
I’m trying to be realistic about how admissions committees might perceive this, especially given the current climate around universities and DEI-related issues.
Would having a recommender in this situation raise any red flags for admissions committees? Is it safer to replace them with a weaker (but less “complicated”) letter?