LOR strategies

Shredder · Mar 28, 2005

Do you think it's a good idea to approach different LOR writers and specifically tell each one, based on the nature of your relationships with them, to emphasize one particular aspect of you? and provide them with pertinent information to do so, that is. Examples:

leadership (club)
academic prowess (prof)
work/research ethic (boss)
medical passion/clinical experience (doc)
rigor of coursework, major (advisor)

its tough getting to know rec writers really well, as theyre so old and there is little common ground. thats why i feel like ill have to spoon feed them despite conscious yet unfruitful efforts to establish meaningful rapport. one has said to write my own and she'll review and sign--this practice is frowned upon but i hear its not unusual. i wouldnt feel comfy leaving it all to chance/blind faith, and this way i could make sure all bases are covered to avoid repetition and generic recs. or would writers perhaps resent this assertiveness? i was thinking five or maybe even six...what about you guys

Crete · Mar 28, 2005

Shredder said:
Do you think it's a good idea to approach different LOR writers and specifically tell each one, based on the nature of your relationships with them, to emphasize one particular aspect of you? and provide them with pertinent information to do so, that is. Examples:

leadership (club)

academic prowess (prof)

work/research ethic (boss)

medical passion/clinical experience (doc)

rigor of coursework, major (advisor)

its tough getting to know rec writers really well, as theyre so old and there is little common ground. thats why i feel like ill have to spoon feed them despite conscious yet unfruitful efforts to establish meaningful rapport. one has said to write my own and she'll review and sign--this practice is frowned upon but i hear its not unusual. i wouldnt feel comfy leaving it all to chance/blind faith, and this way i could make sure all bases are covered to avoid repetition and generic recs. or would writers perhaps resent this assertiveness? i was thinking five or maybe even six...what about you guys

Great idea. Write a letter with your lor request thanking them, etc. Next paragraph humbly write what you would like them to stress and your accomplishments, etc. (It may be better to briefly mention all of your accomplishmens in your said areas after emphasizing what you would want them to emphasize). Check out the "apply early" thread for more info. Get as many as you can, as long as they're good. For writing one yourself, you may want to have a friend do it if you think it would be better. But why would you want to pass up the chance to make yourself walk on water?

Also, some writers might not like being told what to write. Feel them out and you might have to indirectly stress what you've done in the given field hoping they will also emphasize that in the lor. Good luck and PM me if you have any questions!

funshine · Mar 28, 2005

Shredder said:
its tough getting to know rec writers really well, as they're so old and there is little common ground. thats why i feel like ill have to spoon feed them despite conscious yet unfruitful efforts to establish meaningful rapport.

that made my night. thank you.

I think this strategy is good. It's exactly what I did. Some professors are more conscientious about writing you a good rec and are thankful for all the help they get from you. Others are quite resistant--I don't know if they're just too lazy to write a good one or what. Anyway, my advice is to talk to all possible LOR candidates, and you can tell who's willing to write you a good letter from the way they react to all the info you give them

LOR strategies

Shredder

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Crete

Senior Member

funshine

at the fateful hour

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