General LOR Question

[Jdp00921]

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Hey All,

Just a really general question regarding LORs. I see many members on SDN posting about "good" LORs and asserting how important a good LOR can be for an application and on the other end, how a bad LOR can really hurt you. My question is: how does anyone really know when they've received a good LOR vs a bad LOR? Every LOR I have gotten was submitted by the writer without me ever really seeing what was written - doc LORs, professor LORs, committee LOR, etc... I just want to know how many people on here say things like "I had a really strong LOR" when I had several and I hadn't had the opportunity to really read any. Is it just rare that I didn't review any of mine? I feel like I have always been under the impression that LORs aren't really meant to be reviewed by the person for which the letter was written.

Now I assume most of my LORs were strong since they were from mentors and docs that I did spend a decent amount of time with. BUT, it seems people on SDN claim to know that they have received a strong LOR.

How?

And as an aside, did anyone ever get to read a committee letter, etc., after matriculation into medical school?

Thanks!

 

[Coltuna]

Hey All,

Just a really general question regarding LORs. I see many members on SDN posting about "good" LORs and asserting how important a good LOR can be for an application and on the other end, how a bad LOR can really hurt you. My question is: how does anyone really know when they've received a good LOR vs a bad LOR? Every LOR I have gotten was submitted by the writer without me ever really seeing what was written - doc LORs, professor LORs, committee LOR, etc... I just want to know how many people on here say things like "I had a really strong LOR" when I had several and I hadn't had the opportunity to really read any. Is it just rare that I didn't review any of mine? I feel like I have always been under the impression that LORs aren't really meant to be reviewed by the person for which the letter was written.

Now I assume most of my LORs were strong since they were from mentors and docs that I did spend a decent amount of time with. BUT, it seems people on SDN claim to know that they have received a strong LOR.

How?

And as an aside, did anyone ever get to read a committee letter, etc., after matriculation into medical school?

Thanks!

Some letter writers just let you read the letter before submitting. N=1 here, but I was able to read like 75% of my letters before they were submitted. The remaining ones were from people I had very strong relationships with, so it was just presumed that they would be strong letters. Under FERPA, you have the right to view any and all "education records" which includes academic letters of recommendation. "Waiving your right" to view your letters is exactly how it sounds; you relinquish your right to view the letter. If your letter writer wants to show you the letter after waiving that right then that's up to them.

 

[Jdp00921]

Some letter writers just let you read the letter before submitting. N=1 here, but I was able to read like 75% of my letters before they were submitted. The remaining 2 were from people I had very strong relationships with, so it was just presumed that they would be strong letters. "Waiving your right" to view your letters is exactly how it sounds. If your letter writer wants to show you the letter after waiving that right then that's up to them.

I wish I was able to read mine just out of general curiosity! The undergraduate school I went to was very stern with regard to LORs not being read and no one that wrote me one really volunteered to have me read it.

Thanks for the reply though!

 

[Coltuna]

I wish I was able to read mine just out of general curiosity! The undergraduate school I went to was very stern with regard to LORs not being read and no one that wrote me one really volunteered to have me read it.

Thanks for the reply though!

I edited my original post for clarification. Yeah there's one letter that I presume was strong, was never given the opportunity to read it, and now wish I could've read haha. Not because I think anything bad was said but just general curiosity!

 

[HomeSkool]

When asking for an LOR, you should always ask the prospective writer, "Can you write a strong letter in support of my application?" There's no need to be coy about this. If the answer is yes, they won't think any less of you for asking directly. If the answer is no, you can avoid having a lukewarm or negative letter. Don't be shy about asking specifically if they can write a strong letter for you.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[ArteryStudyPainting]

My rule of thumb is I'd never ask someone if I knew that letter would be less than perfect. Ideally, you should know the letter you're getting.

Also, it's up to the writer to show you. I personally wouldn't ask to see it. I'd sway them into asking me or something like that.

Sent from my SM-G900V using SDN mobile

 

[Jdp00921]

When asking for an LOR, you should always ask the prospective writer, "Can you write a strong letter in support of my application?" There's no need to be coy about this. If the answer is yes, they won't think any less of you for asking directly. If the answer is no, you can avoid having a lukewarm or negative letter. Don't be shy about asking specifically if they can write a strong letter for you.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

I never specifically asked any potential writers for a strong LOR, but I only asked those who I spent a significant amount of time with. Therefore, I assume (and hope) the letters were well written.

My rule of thumb is I'd never ask someone if I knew that letter would be less than perfect. Ideally, you should know the letter you're getting.

Also, it's up to the writer to show you. I personally wouldn't ask to see it. I'd sway them into asking me or something like that.

Sent from my SM-G900V using SDN mobile

Of course! I never asked anyone to read a letter. As I said above, it would just be out of general curiosity that I would wish to read a LOR.

 

[HomeSkool]

I never specifically asked any potential writers for a strong LOR, but I only asked those who I spent a significant amount of time with. Therefore, I assume (and hope) the letters were well written.

Don't hesitate to be forward. If they say no, you've lost nothing at all.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[calivianya]

One of my writers texted a picture of the letter to me after he was done, so I know it's an incredibly strong letter. The others I have no idea about either.

 

[SpoiledMilk]

Don't hesitate to be forward. If they say no, you've lost nothing at all.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

This goes for every LOR or LOE you will be asking for moving forward (residency, fellowship, jobs, etc...), ALWAYS remember to ask the writer whether they can provide a STRONG letter. Otherwise, move on to another....

 

[HomeSkool]

My strongest letter was the one I wrote myself and my boss signed. I waived my right to read it, but he offered me the right to write it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[Jdp00921]

My strongest letter was the one I wrote myself and my boss signed. I waived my right to read it, but he offered me the right to write it.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

I've spoken to a few others who have done something similar. Honestly, though, I've never written a LOR so that would probably be more difficult than just having someone who can write a strong letter do it for me!