letter of rec

[Bill_Brasky]

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I just kicked *** on a third year surgery rotation, got an honors and my attending is more than happy to write me a letter

the problem is, he wants to know what i want it to say generally, like if there is anything in particular programs would want to hear about to make the most effective letter possible

anyone with any thoughts/experience please let me know

 

[Bill_Brasky]

bump

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hasn't this guy ever written an LOR before?

He needs to start out with a paragraph explaining how you two worked together.

Second paragraph is all about your wonderful qualities: attention to detail, inquisitiveness, hard-working, team player, well liked by everyone, your interest in surgery.

Final paragraph summarizes above, comments who your program will be actively recruiting you and statement that you will be a wonderful attribute to the field of surgery.

 

[Bill_Brasky]

Hasn't this guy ever written an LOR before?
QUOTE]

Yes he has, but he's only done maybe two because he was private practice for awhile and just now got into teaching. He said was wondering about a guide because he wanted to write me the strongest letter possible.

Partly I think he was wondering how I could help to personalize it as well.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Hasn't this guy ever written an LOR before?

Yes he has, but he's only done maybe two because he was private practice for awhile and just now got into teaching. He said was wondering about a guide because he wanted to write me the strongest letter possible.

Partly I think he was wondering how I could help to personalize it as well.

Give him a copy of your CV, your personal statement and tell him about your goals. He should ask some of his colleagues because there are code words - ie, don't say "Bill Brasky would make a terrific Ob-Gyn" in a letter for general surgery! 😉

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Make sure you have him mention the time you scissor-kicked Angela Landsbury, or how you orchestrated the merger between Unicef and Smith & Wessen.

 

[Celiac Plexus]

I just kicked *** on a third year surgery rotation, got an honors and my attending is more than happy to write me a letter

the problem is, he wants to know what i want it to say generally, like if there is anything in particular programs would want to hear about to make the most effective letter possible

anyone with any thoughts/experience please let me know

I would seriously reconsider getting a letter of recommendation from a guy who has only written a couple of letters in his career... especially if he is asking you, the applicant, how to write it, and you in turn are asking an anonymous bb on what to tell this guy to write... Do you see the comedy in that? Consider getting letters from more experienced/established guys who know how to write a great letter.

 

[gizzy]

Always take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt - including mine...
You have asked for a LOR and it appears the physician will write you a letter to the best of his/her ability. When applying to residency programs you get to designate what programs get what letter(s). So, let this physician write you a letter (and I am assuming you waived your right to see the letter) and most schools have a policy that if you contact the person at the school in charge of organizing the LOR's they can look over the letter and inform you whether they feel it is a strong letter or if you probably should not use it without telling you what is in the letter. This way you can gather multiple letters and decide which ones you will or won't use for applying. So don't sweat it, get the LOR, send a thank you note, and move on.