Can I ask the professors to use a certain type of LOR form?

[ocwaveoc]

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Hello all.
In order to help streamline LORs and what information is included in them, is it appropriate to ask the professors/MD's to use a LOR blank template which includes about 4/5 of the page where they can simply type in a narrative while the last 1/5 of the page includes a grid which includes a about 9-10 different types of traits (ie Interlecutal potential, ability to problem solve, motivation for advanced study and overall promise etc) which can be ranked by checking an appropriate grid from poor to excellent? What do you think? Would the professors be offended by such suggestions? Would the med schools wonder why such form is being used? I found a template online and was going to used it. But, wanted some opinions especially since one of my professors doesn't have much experience writing recommendation letters and I really must pick her as well for a LOR.

Thanks.

 

[ADeadLois]

Hello all.
In order to help streamline LORs and what information is included in them, is it appropriate to ask the professors/MD's to use a LOR blank template which includes about 4/5 of the page where they can simply type in a narrative while the last 1/5 of the page includes a grid which includes a about 9-10 different types of traits (ie Interlecutal potential, ability to problem solve, motivation for advanced study and overall promise etc) which can be ranked by checking an appropriate grid from poor to excellent? What do you think? Would the professors be offended by such suggestions? Would the med schools wonder why such form is being used? I found a template online and was going to used it. But, wanted some opinions especially since one of my professors doesn't have much experience writing recommendation letters and I really must pick her as well for a LOR.

Thanks.

In a word: No.

Odds are, the professors that will write you a LOR will have written several in the past. They have their own style. If the med schools thought you were attempting to manipulate the LOR in some way, they would not be happy and possibly discredit it completely. There's a reason why med schools recommend you waive your write to see them. It makes them more candid and credible. Leave it alone.

 

[notdeadyet]

In a word: No.

Seconded.

 

[lunaire]

As OP mentioned, one of the prof is supposedly inexperienced in writing LORs, so imo, it might be helpful to offer the use of a LOR form.

My college's pre med committee actually encourage us to use a standardized LOR form (provided by the office itself), and I know IUSOM would prefer the use of the LOR form that they provide.

Of course, it's best to ask the med school you're applying to directly regarding this.

 

[ADeadLois]

As OP mentioned, one of the prof is supposedly inexperienced in writing LORs, so imo, it might be helpful to offer the use of a LOR form.

My college's pre med committee actually encourage us to use a standardized LOR form (provided by the office itself), and I know IUSOM would prefer the use of the LOR form that they provide.

Of course, it's best to ask the med school you're applying to directly regarding this.

It's ok to use a standardized form if it's offered by the university; most schools do provide this. However, the OP was talking about an LOR that he/she created. Bad idea.

 

[SuperMatt]

If you are using interfolio, how do you exactly account for schools with their own template (ie. 1-10 scorings)? Do you have to get your referees to submit unique forms for each school?

 

[Cirrus83]

LOR FORM:
1) Please choose which of the following you think best describes Cirrus83 as a student:
a) Unbelievably brilliant student.
b) Stunningly intelligent and creative.
c) Sheer genius.
d) The greatest student I have ever known.

2) Please choose which of the following you think would best describe Cirrus83's personality:
a) Charming and compassionate.
b) Caring and motivated.
c) The male Mother Teresa.
d) A cross between Lincoln and Jesus.

 

[Davjc2009]

LOR FORM:
c) The male Mother Teresa.
d) A cross between Lincoln and Jesus.

 

[ocwaveoc]

Thanks for your inputs.
The standardized form I'm referring to is actually made by UC, Berkeley not myself. As mentioned about 4/5 of it is just a blank section where the writer writes in their thoughts about the candidate. The bottom 1/5 of the form consists of a grid with 10 criteria the writer of the letter ranks the candidate ranging from poor to excellent. I suppose it's best to ask the schools I'll be applying to directly about this issue.....I thought some may actually had an experience in this matter here on this forum.

 

[ADeadLois]

Thanks for your inputs.
The standardized form I'm referring to is actually made by UC, Berkeley not myself. As mentioned about 4/5 of it is just a blank section where the writer writes in their thoughts about the candidate. The bottom 1/5 of the form consists of a grid with 10 criteria the writer of the letter ranks the candidate ranging from poor to excellent. I suppose it's best to ask the schools I'll be applying to directly about this issue.....I thought some may actually had an experience in this matter here on this forum.

If it's provided by the school that's fine. I misunderstood your original post.

 

[notdeadyet]

If it's provided by the school that's fine. I misunderstood your original post.

Me too. When the OP said "I found a template online and was going to used it.", I figured it was something random.

As to SuperMatt's quesitons, some schools have their own templates. I contacted each of these schools and asked if it was necessary to use their forms, and almost every school said "no" (it's more of a convenience factor for the admin department).

The only school that was firm on the template requirement (and I applied to 37 schools) was University of Minnesota. They will not look at your app unless you use their forms. Lots of folks withdraw post-primary for just that reason.

 

[ocwaveoc]

After asking the med schools about this issue, I've gotten the following three types of requests:
1) Use their own form
2) Use my university letterhead form
3) May use the form I was referring to

For those of you that have used interfolio or other services like it, is it necessary to have a LOR with the university letterhead (for interfolio method) for most of the schools while having the professors complete another form for the schools requesting their own forms? It seems like a lot of work for the letter writers! How are you handling this? I thought using interfolio or my school's credential service would minimize the amount of work my professors will have to do. But, now it seems that the writers will have to send out a few on their own in addition to the one I'll ask them to send interfolio. I've pretty much given up on asking them to use the template I've found online since that would just complicate the matter further.

Thanks.

 

[AnEyeLikeMars]

After asking the med schools about this issue, I've gotten the following three types of requests:
1) Use their own form
2) Use my university letterhead form
3) May use the form I was referring to

For those of you that have used interfolio or other services like it, is it necessary to have a LOR with the university letterhead (for interfolio method) for most of the schools while having the professors complete another form for the schools requesting their own forms? It seems like a lot of work for the letter writers! How are you handling this? I thought using interfolio or my school's credential service would minimize the amount of work my professors will have to do. But, now it seems that the writers will have to send out a few on their own in addition to the one I'll ask them to send interfolio. I've pretty much given up on asking them to use the template I've found online since that would just complicate the matter further.

Thanks.

Maybe you should ask the particular school. I remember that Pittsburgh had their own form, but they said I could use my school's letter service's coversheets. I don't know specifically about interfolio, but it might be the same deal. Send an email to those schools.

Also, I think it's standard protocol for a prof to write the letter using their personal letterhead but use a coversheet specific to the letter service (I'm not sure if this answers your question, I'm not too sure what you're asking)