please read my de-identified rec letter for internship

[edieb]

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This is the letter of reference my supervisor gave me for my predoc internship. There is some debate b/t my wife and myself about whether I should use this letter:

Dear Colleague:
I am happy to serve as a reference for XX, a PhD student in our APA-accredited clinical program who is applying for your internship. I serve as XX's major professor; therefore, I believe I have a good idea of his/her strengths and weaknesses.

XX gets along well with her/his fellow students, is very motivated, hardworking and disciplined. He/she came to my team about a year ago so she/he is still learning the bipolar field. However, she/he is a quick study. Her/His dissertation, which is on bipolar disorder and its biological correlates, is well underway and will, in my view, make a major contribution to the psychiatric and psychological field. I should note that Mr/Mrs XX has very good writing and conceptual skills. These are not all that common in grad students, but are a particularly important in day to day clinical operations and are the bedrock on which clinical case conceptualization occurs.

I like XX. She/he takes feedback well and works very hard. I recommend him/her without reservation for your internship.


I think this letter lacks a lot (no mention of clinical skills, etc.) that internships would logically want to know (and therefore raises more questions that it addresses). Please let me know your opinion

 

[PsiKo]

It's certainly not a "Son of God" letter. Kind of boilerplate. Whether you choose to use it or not depends on what your alternatives are.

 

[PsyDGrrrl]

That's an awful letter. DON'T use it. Get someone who actually knows how to write a good letter of recommendation to do it for you.

 

[50960]

It is rather boilerplate. However I hate reading those letters where somebody goes on and on about an intern because you know it is half BS.

 

[phd2006]

It is a poorly written letter and is unclear. You've been on the writer's "team" -- what's that? Year or so ago -- not a good sign they don't know how long you've been on their "team." dissertation, which is on bipolar disorder and its biological correlates, is well underway -- this tells me nothing -- have you proposed? gone through IRB? collected data? analyzed? Remember, for many internships dissertation completion is a requirement.

Things should be worded more positively: is still learning the bipolar field. However, she/he is a quick study -- would be better phrased by indicating what you've learned and what you have accomplished working with the writer. I should note that Mr/Mrs XX has very good writing and conceptual skills. These are not all that common in grad students, but are a particularly important in day to day clinical operations and are the bedrock on which clinical case conceptualization occurs -- IMO, it would be better to phrase this positively (i.e., your writing and conceptual skills are excellent) instead of slamming down other grad students (i.e., saying these skills are not all that common).

Writer should refer to you by first name; also should not refer to your marital status.

Yes, I agree, mention of clinical skills would add a missing dimension. Also, missing is issues of diversity and your clinical interests (unless the reader is to assume it's bipolar).

Hope these suggestions are helpful.