How to Letters of Recommendation work?

[jman128]

Do I just ask someone to write me something and send it to me or do I have to have them fill out a form? I am confused.

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[Epi12345]

Are you registered on SOPHAS? If so, you designate your LOR writers there, and SOPHAS sends them a link to where they can write and submit your recommendation. You should contact your LOR writers beforehand to let them know to expect an email from SOPHAS. It's definitely worth reading over all of the SOPHAS instructions as there are lots of things you need to submit.

 

[LAD2013]

Are you registered on SOPHAS? If so, you designate your LOR writers there, and SOPHAS sends them a link to where they can write and submit your recommendation. You should contact your LOR writers beforehand to let them know to expect an email from SOPHAS. It's definitely worth reading over all of the SOPHAS instructions as there are lots of things you need to submit.

And if it's not a SOPHAS school, you may have to submit recommenders emails and then the school sends them login information which typically takes them to customized recommendation forms. It's a pain!

 

[deleted462159]

Do I just ask someone to write me something and send it to me or do I have to have them fill out a form? I am confused.

You probably don't want them to send it to you unless you have to personally send in everything by paper mail. In most cases, you shouldn't read what they wrote either.

 

[LAD2013]

You probably don't want them to send it to you unless you have to personally send in everything by paper mail. In most cases, you shouldn't read what they wrote either.

I would disagree with not reading what they wrote. Ideally they're submitting online via whatever online system the schools you're applying to use (SOPHAS, the school's one, etc) and they (the recommender) will give you a copy. It's perfectly ok to ask for a copy of their recc before asking them to submit online. Unless you know them extremely well and know they write excellent LORs, I think seeing a copy beforehand just makes good sense. I've had recommenders even offer this because they want to write something good for you and sometimes are open to your feedback.

 

[Member 718917]

I would disagree with not reading what they wrote. Ideally they're submitting online via whatever online system the schools you're applying to use (SOPHAS, the school's one, etc) and they (the recommender) will give you a copy. It's perfectly ok to ask for a copy of their recc before asking them to submit online. Unless you know them extremely well and know they right excellant LORs, I think seeing a copy beforehand just makes good sense. I've had recommenders even offer this because they want to write something good for you and sometimes are open to your feedback.

Agreed, I even met and discussed with my recommenders the specific experiences I wanted them to highlight. Two professors wrote LORs for me, but one was also my thesis and internship advisor, so I asked that he discuss those experiences to show the different perspective. You need all of your skills and varying experiences to be attested for, so make sure you have LORs from different sources (work, shook, internship, research, etc.)