The PI wants me to write my own LOR?

[MT2MD]

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Hello, recently I did an research internship so naturally I asked her for a LOR. Here is her response.

It would be my pleasure to write a recommendation for you. What I usually do is ask that you write what you would like me to encorporate and I will review, edit and sign.

Is it safe to assume that she wants me to write it and let her review it? I am having so much trouble right my LOR, please help

Thank you for all your help

 

[RogueUnicorn]

the way i like to work around these situations is to have my buddy write it.

 

[FlowRate]

I'm in the same situation, it's really difficult. It sounds like he wants me to write the LOR, but at the same time only give suggestions. In fact, this is reminding me that I still haven't done that and really need to!

 

[PanicAttack]

Dude...count yourself as lucky. This usually isn't a trick, they just a) don't feel like doing it themselves, and/or b) want the letter to highlight all the things that you need it to. I got 2 like this and it was pretty awesome. Over-sell yourself and let them be the one to tone it down if you go too far.

 

[schrizto]

This happened to me too. A PI said this to me in almost the exact same wording.

 

[NickNaylor]

You have the correct assumption: just write your later and she'll make appropriate changes. Make sure that you write your letter FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PI. Also be fair in your evaluation. If your entire experience wasn't peachy, mention the negative parts if you can turn them into something positive.

In all likelihood, the PI will change your letter if needed. It's more to reduce the work they have to do, since they can simply use your framework and build around it.

 

[LizzyM]

I suspect that the PI wants you to write the bold paragraphs just so that nothing is overlooked or left out (e.g. she might have forgotten that she was your instructor in a big survey course before being your research mentor)
Here's the usual format:

Date
Salutation

I am writing to recommend _[applicant's name]__ for admission to medical school.
A statement describing the circumstances under which you met and how long you have known the applicant. If applicable: a change in the relationship should be described (e.g. applicant had been a volunteer and then became an employee or was a student and became a research assistant, etc)

Some writers will describe themselves, their credentials, experience in training others, scope of practice and/or research interests, current teaching methods or laboratory work. This can go on for a paragraph or two but is optional.

Objective description of what the applicant did. Interaction of the applicant with others. Description of the characteristics demonstrated by the applicant. Opinion of the writer regarding the applicant's strengths (and weaknesses, if applicable -- this can screw an applicant but some people will throw it in).

A final paragraph stating that the applicant is in the top __% of all the ___ with whom I have worked/interacted, or that the applicant is well suited for a career in medicine, or that the applicant is someone I would want as my own doctor. Optional: a phone number if the committee wants more information.

Closing and signature line.

 

[Emergency 2009]

The physician I work with hates writing but really wanted to give me a good recommendation. Our solution was a group collaboration. One night after the ER had cleared out my coworkers and I worked on my LOR. They had some awesome suggestions and I was able paint an accurate and complete picture of me as an applicant. In the end it turned out to be well written and very complimentary. 🙂

 

[flip26]

You have been given a gift.

Don't put anything negative in the letter. Let him come up with that (and chances are he won't).

Write it from his perspective.

Don't be bashful - he will tone down any superlatives he doesn't agree with.

 

[MT2MD]

Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate. I have only known her for the 2 months (the duration of the research internship). I know writing it myself is probably a good thing. It's just that, it's so hard writing my own LOR 🙂

 

[bannie22]

PI needs to teach me what is encorporate

 

[FlowRate]

I suspect that the PI wants you to write the bold paragraphs just so that nothing is overlooked or left out (e.g. she might have forgotten that she was your instructor in a big survey course before being your research mentor)
Here's the usual format:

Date
Salutation

I am writing to recommend _[applicant's name]__ for admission to medical school.
A statement describing the circumstances under which you met and how long you have known the applicant. If applicable: a change in the relationship should be described (e.g. applicant had been a volunteer and then became an employee or was a student and became a research assistant, etc)

Some writers will describe themselves, their credentials, experience in training others, scope of practice and/or research interests, current teaching methods or laboratory work. This can go on for a paragraph or two but is optional.

Objective description of what the applicant did. Interaction of the applicant with others. Description of the characteristics demonstrated by the applicant. Opinion of the writer regarding the applicant's strengths (and weaknesses, if applicable -- this can screw an applicant but some people will throw it in).

A final paragraph stating that the applicant is in the top __% of all the ___ with whom I have worked/interacted, or that the applicant is well suited for a career in medicine, or that the applicant is someone I would want as my own doctor. Optional: a phone number if the committee wants more information.

Closing and signature line.

This was super helpful for the cover letter one of my prof's asked me to write, detailing what I wanted him to write. I pretty much reinterpreted this with specific details pertaining to this prof + myself =) Thanks!

 

[J ROD]

I wrote one for myself since my person did not feel like doing it and asked me too. I also told others what I wanted them to highlight so I got different aspects covered with my LORs.

Like work, hard worker
School, leadership and intelligence
Volunteering, hardwork, effort