LOR writer wants to show me his letter

[shaggybill]

I took A&P I and II last year, did really well in the class, and I hit it off well with the professor. I dropped by his office today to ask him if he would write a LOR for me, and after chatting with him a while, he told me he wanted to show me the letter before submitting it to make sure I was happy with it. I was under the impression that we shouldn't see our LOR's, but I can't really think of any reason not to in this case? Anyone have any input or advice?

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[RySerr21]

I took A&P I and II last year, did really well in the class, and I hit it off well with the professor. I dropped by his office today to ask him if he would write a LOR for me, and after chatting with him a while, he told me he wanted to show me the letter before submitting it to make sure I was happy with it. I was under the impression that we shouldn't see our LOR's, but I can't really think of any reason not to in this case? Anyone have any input or advice?

You technically arent supposed to see the letters, and you should have signed something that says you agreed not to read them (at least I did). That beign said, no one will ever know if you looked at it or not, so its really just on you and whether you think its "wrong" to look at the letter.

 

[MadEvans]

I took A&P I and II last year, did really well in the class, and I hit it off well with the professor. I dropped by his office today to ask him if he would write a LOR for me, and after chatting with him a while, he told me he wanted to show me the letter before submitting it to make sure I was happy with it. I was under the impression that we shouldn't see our LOR's, but I can't really think of any reason not to in this case? Anyone have any input or advice?

Go take a look. See if he included everything you want him to. One of my mentors wrote a letter and forgot to mention all of the shadowing I did with 2 other doctors at the clinic.

LORs are important, I think he realizes this. Take advantage of it.

My pre-med department has a box you check that says "I waive the right to view this letter" on the submission form. Still check that box, since it's not like you demanded to view it before submitting it... the professor offered.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

I may be mistaken, but doesn't that agreement just deal with whether or not you want the med school to give you access to the LOR? The school is legally obligated to give you access to the LOR, but when you waive that right (and you definitely should), it only means the school will not show you the letter.

 

[MadEvans]

I may be mistaken, but doesn't that agreement just deal with whether or not you want the med school to give you access to the LOR? The school is legally obligated to give you access to the LOR, but when you waive that right (and you definitely should), it only means the school will not show you the letter.

Yes, this was my understanding as well. You're not "not waiving" the right. You are accepting his offer to show it to you. You can still "waive the right" to see it.

 

[HumidBeing]

You are allowed to read the letter if he offers to let you. Waiving your rights to read them simply means that you no longer have that as a "right". It does not mean that you lose the privilege of reading them, if it is offered by a writer.

By waiving the right, it permits writers the freedom to say whatever they want without worry that the applicant will view them and hold anything that was said against the writer. It does not mean that you can't read it if they willingly offer you the opportunity.

 

[shaggybill]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess this brings up another question then. I wasn't planning on using my school's pre-med dept for this letter. This professor is from a school I no longer attend, and I was just going to have him send it directly to Interfolio. For future letters from professors at my current school, is there an advantage to using the pre-med dept as opposed to just having them send the LOR's straight to Interfolio.

 

[majestic red]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess this brings up another question then. I wasn't planning on using my school's pre-med dept for this letter. This professor is from a school I no longer attend, and I was just going to have him send it directly to Interfolio. For future letters from professors at my current school, is there an advantage to using the pre-med dept as opposed to just having them send the LOR's straight to Interfolio.

If you have a pre-med committee, most schools will ask that they submit a letter of recommendation. This letter usually combines highlights from your other recommendations, along with the committee's evaluation of you as an applicant (often in comparison to other students they've dealt with). Because of this, even if your LOR is from another school, it might be a good idea to give it to your pre-med committee if it's especially good, so that they can include parts of it in your committee letter.

 

[Dr Lyss]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess this brings up another question then. I wasn't planning on using my school's pre-med dept for this letter. This professor is from a school I no longer attend, and I was just going to have him send it directly to Interfolio. For future letters from professors at my current school, is there an advantage to using the pre-med dept as opposed to just having them send the LOR's straight to Interfolio.

definitely use your committee letter if possible. Many schools will ask you outright why you didn't or think you have something to hide.

 

[NTF]

You know, I honestly never really understood med schools' obsession with committee letters. Don't the committee letters include copies of the LORs that they're based on anyways? Is a summary of LORs by someone whose never taught you or worked with you really that important?

Like most people, I went through the hoops to obtain the committee letter (a full day of interviews, writing out 12 essays, getting them transcripts and a draft of a PS). My pre-med committee was actually really great and helpful, but I still found the whole process bizarre.

I just don't get why med schools prefer having a middle man to filter the LORs through. 😕

 

[RySerr21]

You are allowed to read the letter if he offers to let you. Waiving your rights to read them simply means that you no longer have that as a "right". It does not mean that you lose the privilege of reading them, if it is offered by a writer.

By waiving the right, it permits writers the freedom to say whatever they want without worry that the applicant will view them and hold anything that was said against the writer. It does not mean that you can't read it if they willingly offer you the opportunity.

Hmmm, interesting. I was recently sending an extra LOR to a school and they made a big deal about me not reading the letter b/c of something I signed and bla bla. I told them I didn't have it and I had to ensure them that I was never going to read it. I guess I assumed that was even if they offered....but anyways, i guess that info is good to know!

 

[cheasus]

One of my writers sent me an email with a copy of the letter of recommendation and I couldnt resist looking at it. I am really glad I did because the writer had a lot of things wrong since he wasn't in academia (even though he taught my class). He thought it was for admission for this year when I asked him in June. He also wrote that I would be perfect for a specific school... which would have sucked to send to other schools... I am glad he told me but I told him not to send me the final copy because I am not supposed to look at it.

 

[redlight]

You know, I honestly never really understood med schools' obsession with committee letters. Don't the committee letters include copies of the LORs that they're based on anyways? Is a summary of LORs by someone whose never taught you or worked with you really that important?

Like most people, I went through the hoops to obtain the committee letter (a full day of interviews, writing out 12 essays, getting them transcripts and a draft of a PS). My pre-med committee was actually really great and helpful, but I still found the whole process bizarre.

I just don't get why med schools prefer having a middle man to filter the LORs through. 😕

the committee ends up doing what adcoms would have to do anyway so it saves them time (drawing your strengths and personality by picking apart and analyzing lors). also, due to interviews and essays they make you write, they can add their own experience with you and therefore add another dimension to your application.. but of course this could help, slightly hurt, or not make any difference at all (unlikely).

also, the committee sort of ranks applicants based on how strong their recommendation is. i.e. "we recommend with some reservation," "we recommend," "we strongly recommend," "X is an outstanding individual, candidate for medical school." a lot of committees go even further than that and evaluate where you are in your class (top 10%, top 25%) based on your grades/gpa. etc. etc.

so you can see why committee letters could be very important to adcom.

 

[Depakote]

You are allowed to read the letter if he offers to let you. Waiving your rights to read them simply means that you no longer have that as a "right". It does not mean that you lose the privilege of reading them, if it is offered by a writer.

By waiving the right, it permits writers the freedom to say whatever they want without worry that the applicant will view them and hold anything that was said against the writer. It does not mean that you can't read it if they willingly offer you the opportunity.

Humid's correct here. Had the same situation come up and this is what I was told when I had it clarified.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

You know, I honestly never really understood med schools' obsession with committee letters. Don't the committee letters include copies of the LORs that they're based on anyways? Is a summary of LORs by someone whose never taught you or worked with you really that important?

Like most people, I went through the hoops to obtain the committee letter (a full day of interviews, writing out 12 essays, getting them transcripts and a draft of a PS). My pre-med committee was actually really great and helpful, but I still found the whole process bizarre.

I just don't get why med schools prefer having a middle man to filter the LORs through. 😕

Is this how it works at most schools? Our pre-med committee letters are written by one of three professors who also happen to be my three science LORs. They just do it based on their past interactions with the applicant as well as the other letters. I think we only have to turn in our AMCAS personal statement, transcript, and CV.