LOR writer's background

[rayden001]

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I am putting together a list of my LOR writers and I have an important question.

I worked as a inpatient transporter for over 3 years and my supervisor and I got along very well. Despite our very good relationship, I am hesitating to ask him to write a letter on my behalf because to be frank, he is not a very good writer. Since this job constitutes the bulk of my clinical experience, I would love to have me write me a letter. But i don't know if a letter that is not so sound grammatically matters much provided it conveys its intended message.

By the way, I hope I don't come off like some elitist. Please help.

 

[Happygrl284]

Rayden - I think if this person is integral to your experience and decision to go into medicine it is important to have them write you a letter. What may be helpful if you are concerned is to let the LOR author know that this is important and maybe offer to write up your experiences for them. I did this for a few authors who either a) didn't have a lot of time to write the LORs or b) wanted to remind them of exactly what I had accomplished etc. This also gives you an opportunity to provide them with favorable wording etc. If possible try to give it to them in a word doc so that they can use what you wrote and possibly incorporate it into the letter.
If you think the person is going to put you in a positive light I say go for it. Remember that committees read these letters fast and they recieve a lot of letters from people who are not native speakers and from all different roles. Overall it is up to your best judgement, but if you decide to have he/she write your letter, just do your best to provide them with all the tools you can to assure a well written and informed letter.

 

[rayden001]

Thanks for the response.

I am inclined to write a letter and have him put his name on it, but I fear that adcoms might find out since it is most likely going to bear a strong resemblance to my personal statement.

 

[dw2158]

could you offer to write a draft and then let him revise it? at least the building blocks of the letter would be grammatically sound that way.