How long should a LOR be!?

[JacobLMDorDO]

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So I have been working with a really great DO lately and he said he would be happy to submit an LOR for me, but said that I would have to write it and then he would edit/add/delete things if necessary because he is really busy. So my question is, how long should it be? I am almost at a page now so I just wanted to see what you guys think!?

 

[bflatminor]

So I have been working with a really great DO lately and he said he would be happy to submit an LOR for me, but said that I would have to write it and then he would edit/add/delete things if necessary because he is really busy. So my question is, how long should it be? I am almost at a page now so I just wanted to see what you guys think!?

I had to write one for a science professor and I kept it at a little less than a page. You need to leave a little room for the official letter head as well as for your doc to sign and write his credentials, etc...

 

[Indygirl7]

Writing your own LOR does not seem very ethical... I don't know anyone that wrote their own. Usually you let someone else do it and you never get to read it to guarantee they are 100% honest.

 

[bflatminor]

Writing your own LOR does not seem very ethical... I don't know anyone that wrote their own. Usually you let someone else do it and you never get to read it to guarantee they are 100% honest.

Actually, if you go through the forums you'll find that it's quite common for a professor or doctor to ask for the students to write the letter due to time constraints. I don't see how it is unethical if whoever signs off on it reads the letter and edits it based on what they deem is appropriate.

 

[WhyDoWeFall]

Regardless, I would say a page would be perfect. My professor told me she submitted 2-3 pages for my LOR and I did hear from certain admissions that that length was a bit much. Stick with a page and it should be good.

 

[JacobLMDorDO]

Okay cool, yeah I ended up doing about one page, but the font was size 11 lol.
It's actually pretty challenging having to write a letter for yourself!