Anybody write their own recommendation

[J.Pearlman]

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Sup guys, I was wondering if any of you had the miserable task of writing your own recommendation. It is a great oppurtunity nevertheless and I really can use advice on what to put in it. Thanks.

 

[meals]

I had to do that. I tried really hard to do it myself but in the end, I asked my dad to write up something and I used that as a rough draft. He's a professor so he's used to writing letters for people. So, maybe you could find someone else to give it a try and then use that as a starting point. Good luck. I thought it was really strange and very awkward to write my own letter of recommendation. How do you feel about it?

 

[jot]

that is a rather daunting task, but a wonderful proposition. kinda cool to have it in your fate. i say go nuts. don't be modest, cause remember its somebody else supporting you (i assume someone asked you to write it and they will sign it). make sure to include the "softer side" as well as smarts. i imagine you can make it a very personal letter, cause umm, you are writing it, but make sure it is in the scope of your relationship. goodluck.
-jot

 

[Doctora Foxy]

<a href="http://www.letterrep.com/recommendations1.html" target="_blank">Check out this site for some ideas</a>

It should get you started. 🙂

 

[barb]

One idea is to have a few people who know you (professors, boss, friends) write one or two sentences describing what they consider to be your greatest qualities, strengths, etc. Then use the ones you like in your letter. Sometimes other people can compliment us much better than we can compliment ourselves.

 

[Cydney Foote]

Being asked to write your own LOR is quite common -- I've done many of them for my clients. Here are the basic questions I ask clients when I start a LOR:

1) Who are you asking to recommend you (name and title)? What are his/her qualifications? How is he/she qualified to evaluate you compared to other candidates?

2) How long have you worked with/known this person? In what capacity? Did he/she hire you? Was he/she your teacher? How often did you have contact? How well does he/she know you?

3) What are your top 3 positive qualities? Provide a specific example, of which the recommender is aware, that demonstrates each quality.

4) Have you received any awards or outstanding commendations of which your recommender is aware? Are you involved in any non-work or professional activities of which the recommender is aware?

5) Are there any mild criticisms that should be mentioned? (These are usually the flip-side of your strengths.)

The answers to these questions should give you a jumping-off point to write the letter. Best of luck!

 

[jot]

i would probably not include any "mild criticisms" - most letters are positive, and you have the opportunity to turn in a glowing one. since it is against the law to write anything bad, mild criticisms stand out harshly sometimes. good luck.
-jot

 

[J.Pearlman]

Thanks sidney. Also, those 3 qualities you mentioned are going to be the ones that are lacking to adcoms, in my personal statement or my other recommendations. That's the hard part, since I am not sure which 3 are the best.

 

[Cydney Foote]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by jot:
•i would probably not include any "mild criticisms" - most letters are positive, and you have the opportunity to turn in a glowing one. since it is against the law to write anything bad, mild criticisms stand out harshly sometimes. good luck.
-jot•••••Sometimes an entirely glowing recommendation can come across as false, while mild criticisms can make the recommendation more realistic. I'm not saying that there should *always* be a criticism, but, if done correctly, they can be effective.

 

[Trek]

I hope you are going to include the fact that you are a FRICKIN TROLL!!!!!!!! --Trek