LOR examples

Started by ed-the-king
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ed-the-king

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So I asked one of my attendings for a LOR and he obliged, but told me to write it myself and he would fix it up 😕 . Anyone know of any good websites with examples so i can write my LOR? Thanks!
 
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ed-the-king said:
So I asked one of my attendings for a LOR and he obliged, but told me to write it myself and he would fix it up 😕 . Anyone know of any good websites with examples so i can write my LOR? Thanks!
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This is a disgrace. It defeats the purpose of an LOR in my opinion. If you can't figure out how to sell yourself, then I hope you got your LOR writer to write you a personal statement.
 
Pox in a box said:
This is a disgrace. It defeats the purpose of an LOR in my opinion. If you can't figure out how to sell yourself, then I hope you got your LOR writer to write you a personal statement.
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Way to be nice and non-judgemental there buddy.

I was asking more about the format so it's professional and not amateurish, not for actual content of the letter.
 
Usually you can write the first paragraph about how the writer came to know you and in what context. You can then write a second paragraph about your good qualities, what makes you stand out, etc. The third can just be a short reiteration about why you will do well.

Use "Sincerely," and leave a few blank lines so the writer can sign it (unless he plans on re-working it anyway). Put the date at the top under the letterhead, then the address you're sending it to, a reference line, and the "To Whom It May Concern:".

As far as vocabulary goes, just go for nice cogent thoughts that get your point across. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just a well thought out letter.
 
If you have time, or know anyone else who can write a letter, maybe you'd be better off. Honestly, at this level, you shouldn't need to write your own letter. That just sounds like they don't have anything unique about you to say.
 
ed-the-king said:
So I asked one of my attendings for a LOR and he obliged, but told me to write it myself and he would fix it up 😕 . Anyone know of any good websites with examples so i can write my LOR? Thanks!
Click to expand...

My school gave us a handout with examples of "Poor", "Good", and "outstanding" LOR's to give our preceptors if they hadn't written many letters. If you want, I can email it to you. Private message me with your email and I will send the doc. to ya. Not that you're asking me, but my advice would be to find a preceptor or attending you've had in the past who won't ask you to write a letter for yourself. The general consensus is that unless you are a stellar writer, writing your own LOR is not a good idea. Just a thought.
 
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