LOR input advice

[electricfan]

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I am an md/phd applicant. One of my recommenders is comparatively young, and has not had much experience writing LORs. He/she is asking me for some input on what to include in the letter. I don't want to put words their mouth, but what kinds of qualities/anecdotes/declarations of quality are adcoms looking for in these letters?

 

[Neuronix]

Generally, what programs are looking for in LORs are spelled out by the few schools that require recommendor forms. Whether these are REALLY required is school/applicant dependent, and is a discussion for another time.

But suffice it to say they are really annoying, and they do provide you some guidelines for what should go into a letter.

https://medapps13.med.yale.edu/msa/msa_web.md_phd_recommendation
http://www.mayo.edu/pmts/mc0400-mc0499/mc0437-67.pdf

 

[Build]

Put words in his/her mouth! You work hard to be competitive, don't skimp here if you have the opportunity. In your career, it's quite likely you'll be drafting your own letters on behalf of a writer, so get used to being your own advocate.

For one letter writer, I put together a short 1 paragraph motivations statement. I also listed my biggest activities/accomplishments (like research, volunteering, etc.) and put like a 1-2 sentence blurb about what I did and what I learned from it. Even bolded key adjectives like leadership and initiative. Also included a basic CV. If they wanted to write it off the top of their head, they could. If they wanted to use my CV, they could. If the wanted to use some of the text I put together, they could. If they're writing you a letter, they want it to be an effective one, so help out (IMO).