my letter writer asked me to write a draft

[surgeon2b forev]

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I actually know this professor very well. He knows me well also, and he has written me letters in the past for scholarships and such. However, for my residency into surgery, he asked me to write a draft. I asked him about it, and he explained that he thought this would be a good exercise because he explained when you go up in your career, it's standard procedure. He explained when he was an assistant professor needing letters for grants and such, the full professors would have him write a draft.... the higher up you go, the less they edit it (i.e. if you write your own letter for the dean of the medical school, it's likely the dean will spend very little time even changing the letter you wrote).

i found it odd, but understandable. He said he'll change it accordingly, but thinks it would be a good idea.

of course, it makes me feel odd. what kinda letter do i write! OH THIS IS THE BEST STUDENT SINCE SLICED BREAD! haha. guess i should error on the side of positive!

So my question is... 1) has this happened to anyone else? and 2) is this weird despite what he told me? is this normal?

thanks

 

[mdphd2b]

Sure does...

As a mud-phud, my thesis advisor usually made me write all my LORs for applications, grants, etc, Even now as I apply to med school, there are letter writers who basically showed me the draft and asked me to revise it. Don't worry! It's a common practice that we will face again and again!

 

[Hard24Get]

It's ok, you'll be fine! Here is a nice guide for you

http://www.boxfreeconcepts.com/reco/#Academic recommendations

 

[yenchen]

yes has happened to me once! Well it gives you a chance to tell the letter writer what do you want to highlight about yourself. Instead of simply writing plain adjectives about yourself, like hardworking, dedicated, try to cite examples. And I am sure you will be the best person to recal all those examples! Consider yourself lucky that you got a chance to write a draft, most of the students aren't that lucky!

 

[napoleondynamite]

This happened to me and I felt really wierd about it at first. I really hesitated to brag about myself until someone pointed out, "dude, if you can't write awesome things about yourself, do you really think someone else will be able to?" Eventually I came around and wrote myself the most AMAZING letter you have ever seen. I actually said in the letter: "This is one of the very best students I have ever worked with. He is truly outstanding and has my absolute highest recommendation." That is a direct quote! Anyway, I cited VERY specific examples and didn't hold back at all. In the end, I was really glad I did as the letter-writer just signed it and submitted it! Your letter writer probably asked you to write the letter for the same reason mine did: they have way too much going on to worry about something so piddly (to them) as another freakin' LOR. In that vein, they probably have way too much going on to edit it either..so don't hold back! It's time to be cocky. You deserve it. You have worked your a$$ off for many years and there's nothing wrong with feeling a bit entitled to some praise..go for it man and consider yourself lucky for what could be a golden opportunity!