Do-it-yourself LOR?

[Sorg1123]

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This came up in conversation with an another applicant: Has anyone ever heard of writing your letter of Rec. yourself and then giving it to your supervisor/professor to sign? Is this common?

 

[Dr.JT]

It is not necessarily uncommon for a professor or supervisor to ask the student/trainee to write a letter themselves; however, the will usually only use this as a starting point and edit it substantially. To have a student write the letter and then sign it is not appropriate. I don't know of any examples where this has happened, but my guess is others out there do.

 

[irish80122]

One of my professors showed me their letter and I can tell you that I would have been at a great DISADVANTAGE had I done that. Maybe I am just too modest but it wouldn't have been nearly as good.

 

[Logic Prevails]

Yeah, one of my supervisors asked me to write my own. I think they just wanted an idea of what I was looking/hoping for. They edited it substantially, and it turned out much better in the end.

 

[Salsybabe]

I don't know how common it is, but one of my recommenders asked me to write mine. Of course, she looked it over and made necessary changes and signed it. It wasn't a big deal to me.

 

[PsyDchaser]

I have heard of it happening..I would hope that the prof. would "use it as a starting point", but human nature being what it is...make sure your letter is GREAT before you give it to them 🙂