Is it OK to write a DO LOR yourself?

[premedmind]

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Would there be any problems if I write the letter myself, and the D.O. signs it?

 

[DRMRL]

Yes, there is a huge problem. The med school will NOT take the letter seriously and you'll lose ALL credibility. You will not get accepted if you send it in like that.

 

[DRMRL]

Even if the med school doesn't know, it isn't good

 

[Mohammed1989]

A physcian I have been shadowing for some time now has told me to do the same. He said to write the lor myself and he will sign it. The only reason is because he's not that great in english as he claims.

Should I tie him up until he changes his mind? 😉

Seriously what should I tell him?

 

[Laryngophed]

My graduate mentor did precisely the same thing. I was apprehensive to say the least as I felt I was being dishonest, but she said that she can edit it as she pleases and if she puts her signature on it, then she must agree with it and feel that way. Chances are that the first LOR you write for yourself will suck, no offense to you. It's not an easy task and I think you would be better served to ask them to make sure to edit it thoroughly if they insist upon it.

 

[EricH]

I have a friend....yea a friend....that had the same situation. They wrote the letter and the signer had final edit before it was sent confidentially to the school. The final letter could have contained anything.

I don't care what u read here, this happens ALL THE TIME. The people who can write a letter are frequently too busy to write a good one. I know one doc who makes his candidates write a letter, just to see if they want one bad enough to go to the trouble. Plus, it gives him valuable information about them.

If you want to feel ethically ok, do what my "friend" did.

Edit: quick tip, there are plenty of old letter writing instructional texts at the public library that can help with tone, language and flow. Trust me, they are more valuable than you might imagine.

 

[Mohammed1989]

I have a friend....yea a friend....that had the same situation. They wrote the letter and the signer had final edit before it was sent confidentially to the school. The final letter could have contained anything.

I don't care what u read here, this happens ALL THE TIME. The people who can write a letter are frequently too busy to write a good one. I know one doc who makes his candidates write a letter, just to see if they want one bad enough to go to the trouble. Plus, it gives him valuable information about them.

If you want to feel ethically ok, do what my "friend" did.

Edit: quick tip, there are plenty of old letter writing instructional texts at the public library that can help with tone, language and flow. Trust me, they are more valuable than you might imagine.

tell you friend give me theirs, since that means less work for me 😉

 

[DRMRL]

and these are docs and future docs saying this...hahah nice

 

[p30doc]

Would there be any problems if I write the letter myself, and the D.O. signs it?

This is standard practice for many busy LOR writers. They read it and agree to it and sign it, so it is not a problem. It seems a bit weird but happens all the time.

 

[ArkansasRanger]

Do it, keep your mouth shut, and move on. I mean big deal...the guy signed it so that implies that he mirrors the sentiment in the letter. I don't see why it'd matter. It apparently does to some though despite being totally acceptable. This is why you just keep your mouth shut about it. I've given that type of reference for someone before, and it's never been questioned but probably because the other party didn't know.

 

[coat0023]

This is not a bad thing at all and it is not suspicious in the slightest. Seriously, no sarcasm there. I have had two letter writers do this because and they both told me the same reasons that they do it. One, they are just super busy and have more important things going on than writing letters. Two, it allows them to see what you think you gained out of whatever experience you were involved with them. I kid you not, they both said the exact same two reasons to me. Write a good letter and submit it to them because they will edit it a bit as well.

 

[premedmind]

Should I write it in first person or third?

In other words, do I make it seem like I am writing it, or make it seem like the D.O. wrote it?

 

[EricH]

Should I write it in first person or third?

In other words, do I make it seem like I am writing it, or make it seem like the D.O. wrote it?

you are writing it for the doc and therefore as the doc.

 

[ChiDO]

Writing your own LOR is the best thing to ever happen to you. This is the way to get the best LORs, since you get to write it yourself!