LOR Question

[TheBoneDoctah]

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Greetings. I am writing this letter on behalf of xxxxxxx. I am a general surgical pathologist in a high volume community practice in (enter city here. I had the opportunity to work with xxxxx when he was on break from his studies. During his time with us, he was exposed to most aspects of a busy surgical pathology service. From grossing to signout, frozen sections and autopsy, xxxxxx was an eager and interested participant. It was really a pleasure to work with such an enthusiastic and energetic young man. On a personal note, I found xxxxxx to be a very respectful, humble and bright person. I have no doubt, he possesses all of the qualities necessary to be a fine physician. Thank you for your consideration.



Sincerely,


xxxxxxxx, MD


Does this sound like a good LOR?

 

[chelseamapp]

Troll

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Troll

How am I trolling? I'm seriously asking a question. To me, it seems very short.

 

[mrh125]

it's short and not descriptive enough. with everybody try-harding you're going to need more than that unfortunately. more compliments, more vivid descriptions of what you did, stories of how you helped etc. more descriptions about the qualities you possess that'd make you a good physician.

it's a decent start, but there needs to be more.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

it's short and not descriptive enough. with everybody try-harding you're going to need more than that unfortunately. more compliments, more vivid descriptions of what you did, stories of how you helped etc.

So how do I go about telling doc? Haha

 

[KindofBlue]

Not really. It sounds generic and from someone that does not really know you very well. If you have already 3 or more solid LORs I suppose adding one such as this wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't count on it being a game changer for your application.

Disclaimer: I'm not an adcom so it's just my 2 cents after researching about LORs and writing my own LOR for a doctor I've shadowed.


[edit]
What I would suggest is attaching a LOR writing guide with a CV/resume, as well as your PS.
The link below is a sample LOR I gave to a doc I work for, since she was not sure what format to follow.
There are a lot of LOR guides from reputable sources if you google them, so you might consider giving one of those also.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=https://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/9780472031887-appendixg.pdf&ei=CiRQU7CTJea22AXe4oD4DQ&usg=AFQjCNFxYx8cklWu5JTxLNFIm3wEnLhyNg&sig2=86fgjvZ0o4mgCxGbGe68rw&bvm=bv.65058239,d.b2I&cad=rja

 

[mrh125]

So how do I go about telling doc? Haha

well in a very demure way you can say something like "Would it be possible for you to be more descriptive about the qualities I possess that would make me a good doctor or stuff I did that you really liked? I'm not trying to offend you or anything, but with all of the people applying to medical school it's hard to really stand on so if you could go into more detail about me I would really appreciate that." reword however you see fit, but just make sure not to offend him. one of the reasons why recommendation letters are confidential is because people get a little bit hurt and annoyed about having to redo them.

Be polite and make sure he understands also dont be intimidated based off of what i say. i'm just being very blunt about it.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

well in a very demure way you can say something like "Would it be possible for you to be more descriptive about the qualities I possess that would make me a good doctor or stuff I did that you really liked? I'm not trying to offend you or anything, but with all of the people applying to medical school it's hard to really stand on so if you could go into more detail about me I would really appreciate that." reword however you see fit, but just make sure not to offend him. one of the reasons why recommendation letters are confidential is because people get a little bit hurt and annoyed about having to redo them.

Be polite and make sure he understands also dont be intimidated based off of what i say. i'm just being very blunt about it.

Yeah. The doctor is a friend of my aunts. I don't wanna offend him. He has never written a letter of Rec before.

 

[mrh125]

Yeah. The doctor is a friend of my aunts. I don't wanna offend him. He has never written a letter of Rec before.

http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Medical-School-Recommendation this might help him (if you dont want to link him that, list the stuff). it's really helpful. maybe talk to your aunt as intermediate and she'll think of a better way of doing it.

 

[KindofBlue]

The link below from Harvard I think is a good resource for LOR writers also

http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/html/icb.topic58474/Verba-recs.html

 

[mrh125]

The link below from Harvard I think is a good resource for LOR writers also

http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/html/icb.topic58474/Verba-recs.html

yea, that too you can almost never go wrong with harvard how-to pages.

 

[moop]

If he's never written one, it's okay to tell him what he want written. That's the point of an LOR! Tell him what would be great if he could write it. Don't tell him TO DO IT, but just say that it would be helpful if eh could. Tact.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

yea, that too you can almost never go wrong with harvard how-to pages.

OKAY, SO I AM ABOUT TO EMAIL THIS TO THE DOCTOR. DO YOU THINK THAT IT SOUNDS OK?

Sorry it has taken so long for me to respond. I took my MCAT yesterday, so I have been devoting every second to studying for that.

Thank you for writing the letter of recommendation for me. It sounds really good so far! My premed advisor at UCLA told me that letters should be 3/4 - 1 page in length. One thing that may help is if you could possibly give examples of the things you said in the letter and how this would make me a good doctor. That way it sounds more personal and will make it longer in the process. Also, is there any way you can write about me sitting in on the pathology meeting? That was very interesting and was a good experience.

Another thing that I was thinking that may sound good is adding that I work at LabCorp and that I wanted to get more experience and learn more about what happens on the laboratory side of medicine. At LabCorp, my work consists of processing specimens. I load the serum samples onto the machines, run control samples, and make sure that the results are being processed.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If he's never written one, it's okay to tell him what he want written. That's the point of an LOR! Tell him what would be great if he could write it. Don't tell him TO DO IT, but just say that it would be helpful if eh could. Tact.

Can you take a look at what I am gonna write as well and tell me what you think?

 

[moop]

Edited:

Sorry it has taken so long for me to respond. I took my MCAT yesterday, so I have been devoting every second to studying for that.

Thank you for writing the letter of recommendation for me. It sounds really good so far! My premed advisor at UCLA told me that letters should be 3/4 - 1 page in length. It would also be great if you could possibly give examples of the things you said in the letter and how this would make me a good doctor. That way it sounds more personal and will make it longer in the process. Also, is there any way you can write about my sitting in on the pathology meeting? That was very interesting and was a good experience. (Be more specific about why it was "a good experience.")

It'd be really helpful as well if you could add a bit about my work at LabCorp and how I wanted to get more experience and learn more about what happens on the laboratory side of medicine. At LabCorp, my work there involves processing specimens; I load the serum samples onto the machines, run control samples, and make sure that the results are being processed.

Let me know what you think. Thanks!​

ex-newspaper copy editor at your service.

 

[moop]

If it still comes back all short and generic and stuff, I would just say thank you but not actually include it lol

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

If it still comes back all short and generic and stuff, I would just say thank you but not actually include it lol

Thanks a lot. Is there anything else you think I should add?

 

[moop]

Thanks a lot. Is there anything else you think I should add?

Nah, but rereading the original letter cautions me that the end product of this LOR is going to be sub-par…these things are hard to write well. I wouldn't dwell on this making any positive impact on your app. Either drop him if the revision still sucks or make sure your other 2-3 letters are real good.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

Nah, but rereading the original letter cautions me that the end product of this LOR is going to be sub-par…these things are hard to write well. I wouldn't dwell on this making any positive impact on your app. Either drop him if the revision still sucks or make sure your other 2-3 letters are real good.

Okay. Thanks. I'll repost when he rewrites.