How should I kindly ask my LoR writer to write a better letter

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I got my letter from my clinical job. She is my practice manager for a pediatric clinic.

The letter is really bad in terms of flow. It's like half a page saying I'm a good worker. She knows me better than that and I know she could write better.

I think the letter would be good if I were applying to any other job, but it's for medical school and I think I requires more than just "Person X was a good worker".

What should I do? Should I risk it and ask her to do better? Should I just keep it?

 

[456432]

Are you both very close? Or is she just a manager who you interact with occasionally?

If the latter, don't ask her to improve the letter. The risk of her refusing to even send the current letter she wrote is high. If you both are essentially close friends, then maybe mention how you would've liked a stronger letter since it could go a long way for your admissions chances.

 

[gyngyn]

Send this link with a cheerful "Look what I found from AMCAS!".

https://www.aamc.org/system/files?file=2019-09/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

Are they familiar with/have experience writing medical school LORs?

I would just respectfully state that the letter they wrote, while excellent for a recommendation for a new clinical protected job, is not necessarily in line with what is expected of a medical school LOR. Then, as @gyngyn has stated, provide them a copy of the AAMC letter writer’s guide. However, also include your own - heavily edited - version of their LOR with the statement “I have made some changes and suggestions to your excellent recommendation which may be more in line with the guidelines provided by the AAMC and reflective of what medical schools will expect from an LOR.”

 

[deleted1017749]

I would give some pointers in what ADCOMS look for. One of my letter writers was kind of oblivious and I had to make bullet points of what to include. If you're close with this person I would suggest something similar

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

Send this link with a cheerful "Look what I found from AMCAS!".

https://www.aamc.org/system/files?file=2019-09/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

and include box of fine chocolates?

 

[candbgirl]

You don’t really need a clinical letter. And would you really want to tell her “ I know you can do a better job if you try.” ( So you’ve obviously read the letter. ) If you feel good about your other letters just let it go. Some people are just not good letter writers.

 

[KnightDoc]

You don’t really need a clinical letter. And would you really want to tell her “ I know you can do a better job if you try.” ( So you’ve obviously read the letter. ) If you feel good about your other letters just let it go. Some people are just not good letter writers.

This^^^. I think you're going to insult her by even raising the topic. I'd just thank her, have it sent to Interfolio, and then not use it, but that's just me. On the other hand, I haven't even seen my letters, so, who knows, I might have a similar letter in my file that I'm going to end up using. 🙂 But, I'd never have the nerve to tell someone their letter isn't good enough and I need a better one.

 

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Are they familiar with/have experience writing medical school LORs?

I would just respectfully state that the letter they wrote, while excellent for a recommendation for a new clinical protected job, is not necessarily in line with what is expected of a medical school LOR. Then, as @gyngyn has stated, provide them a copy of the AAMC letter writer’s guide. However, also include your own - heavily edited - version of their LOR with the statement “I have made some changes and suggestions to your excellent recommendation which may be more in line with the guidelines provided by the AAMC and reflective of what medical schools will expect from an LOR.”

I did exactly what you said and she agreed. After my shift today I sent her my version of the LoR and she submitted it to my interfolio. Not sure if it was edited after that tbh.

For anyone offended I kinda wrote my own LoR, please understand I live in a pretty rough area. Not everyone is as well educated and sometimes we can't afford to stick 100% by the rules. I didn't ask for this.

 

[over]

You don’t really need a clinical letter. And would you really want to tell her “ I know you can do a better job if you try.” ( So you’ve obviously read the letter. ) If you feel good about your other letters just let it go. Some people are just not good letter writers.

My premed committee needs a letter from my clinical experience. Shadowing or clinical experience. This letter is important for me lol

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

I did exactly what you said and she agreed. After my shift today I sent her my version of the LoR and she submitted it to my interfolio. Not sure if it was edited after that tbh.

For anyone offended I kinda wrote my own LoR, please understand I live in a pretty rough area. Not everyone is as well educated and sometimes we can't afford to stick 100% by the rules. I didn't ask for this.

No one should be offended. Sometimes letter writers ask you to give a draft and then they will edit it.

 

[Current-big-pharma-shill]

I did exactly what you said and she agreed. After my shift today I sent her my version of the LoR and she submitted it to my interfolio. Not sure if it was edited after that tbh.

For anyone offended I kinda wrote my own LoR, please understand I live in a pretty rough area. Not everyone is as well educated and sometimes we can't afford to stick 100% by the rules. I didn't ask for this.

I’ve written 3/6 of my LORs. Take advantage of the opportunities you get.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

My premed committee needs a letter from my clinical experience. Shadowing or clinical experience. This letter is important for me lol

Find out what your premed committee does with the letter. For $300, my premed committee would take all your letters and write their own summary letter. I elected not to go through my premed committee and was still accepted so that's another option.

 

[YCAGA]

I did exactly what you said and she agreed. After my shift today I sent her my version of the LoR and she submitted it to my interfolio. Not sure if it was edited after that tbh.

For anyone offended I kinda wrote my own LoR, please understand I live in a pretty rough area. Not everyone is as well educated and sometimes we can't afford to stick 100% by the rules. I didn't ask for this.

Just what I like to hear from someone who wants to have an independent medical license in a few years.

 

[harmony14]

Just what I like to hear from someone who wants to have an independent medical license in a few years.

Absolutely. We can count on physicians like him to provide the utmost care to their patients despite the rules/restrictions set by administrators.

 

[YCAGA]

Absolutely. We can count on physicians like him to provide the utmost care to their patients despite the rules/restrictions set by administrators.

Writing your own LOR isn't exactly the same as bending the rules to help patients. One helps just OP, the other helps patients.

 

[harmony14]

Writing your own LOR isn't exactly the same as bending the rules to help patients. One helps just OP, the other helps patients.

You are the one that bolded *’ can't stick to the rules 100%’* so it's understandable that people will interpret your problem with everything is him not following the rules.

As others have mentioned, it is common for applicants to write their own letters. This can be due to various, valid reasons so it’s quite a stretch to question their integrity. It’s not like he is forcing her to use the edits (He even stated that he’s not sure if she did since it was sent directly to interfolio).