Letter of Recommendation

[CAdr2b]

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Hi,
An optometrist I shadowed has asked me to write my own recommendation and then submit it to him so he can sign it. I'm having a hard time getting started, and I was wondering if anyone had any letters they'd be willing to share. thanks!

 

[broncos24]

hmm... that doesn't sound too legit. All the people that wrote me recommendations did it on their own.. so I'm not quite sure what they really wanted to say about me in particular that'll make me stand out. I think it's important for the optometrist to write the recommendation. He/She probably has the right language and understanding on your potential. Maybe next time you should ask in the beginning of your shadowing if he/she has the time in his/her busy schedule to write one for you. I think you writing it would be more stressful... as it may be right now.

maybe write about what you experienced, if you were engaged in the material, if you were friendly with patients and staff members, if you were professional (as in.. on time, asked appropriate questions, etc). That's all I can think of. Good luck!!

 

[171590]

I agree w/ broncos24. You should not be the one to write your own LOR. Should is the key word here. I'm sure the schools would look down on that if they ever find out. I'm sure the guy is busy and all but it really seems kinda a-hole-ish to me. Or he figures he doesn't know you well enough to write one. Not to freak you out and I don't know where you are applying but it seems to me the OD network w/in cities are realatively close knit so if you live in the same city as the school you want to go to.... god forbid, your interviewers actually know the OD you shadowed well then asked him about you! Or maybe they know of him and know he is not a great source for LOR. Choosing the right OD to shadow is so very important. I've shadowed 2. One I literally just shadowed--- walked behind and observed. But the second OD was awesome and showed me things. Explained refraction process. And, even let me look into patients' eyes!!!! This will all show through during the interview i'm sure. Maybe if you have time see if you can meet w/ another OD who is more understanding of your plight.

 

[CaribbeanEye]

I disagree with broncos24, this happens quite a bit with recommendation letters in all fields of business. If the optometrist asked you to write your own and then have him sign it, it shows trust in your abilities to do it. Although I would also keep in mind what restless says as well as shadowing more than once can only help.

Anyways it shouldn't be too hard to do and the letter doesn't need to be lengthy. Here is how to get some advice on how to write a letter of recommendation. First do a Google search and read up on how to write one. If that doesn't inspire you enough, ask someone you know with experience to help you. At last resort you could even go to the local employment agency and solicit their free help on how to do stuff like that.

 

[broncos24]

yes, it does happen quite often because I know a very close person that wrote his own as well. I just feel like if schools really want a LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FROM AN OPTOMETRIST that the optometrist should really be writing it. Obviously you know yourself better than anybody else, but I happen to be in a situation where my optometrist and I got to know each other pretty well OUTSIDE of the optometry talk... such as football, golf, etc. It's actually quite easy to get personal with them.. and for them to WANT to write that letter for you to help you in your academic pursuits. I just find it more fair for the optometrist to write it since the school is really asking for the optometrist's opinion. If the optometrist agrees with everything you wrote and signs it... that's fine too. I just find it more honest if it was ACTUALLY written by the person who signed it. I think the language in the letter would sound different as well coming from an optometrist who may know everything about optometry school, curriculum, patient interaction, etc.

just my opinion.

 

[daysend85]

Hi,
An optometrist I shadowed has asked me to write my own recommendation and then submit it to him so he can sign it. I'm having a hard time getting started, and I was wondering if anyone had any letters they'd be willing to share. thanks!

Terrible thing to do...hope you dont follow through with it. LORs are to be from the people whose signatures appear at the bottom. Besides, what satisfaction do you get from submitting your own letter?