Tips for reference letter

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nickh

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Hey guys,

My profs were just wondering what should they include in my reference letter. Like how long it should be, and maybe other things they should watch out for so they don't sound like novices 😛

Thanks for any tips! 🙂
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but honestly, take a step back and think about all of these LoRs applicants have. How often do you think a LoR has something bad written about an applicant? How often does a prof get asked to write a LoR? I am pretty sure adcoms see the same adjectives thrown out over and over and over and over again in LoRs that they end up not bearing a whole lot of weight or play too big of a role in separating applicants from one another. Yes, I would personally love to get profs who know me inside and out to write my letters; it would mean a lot for me to know he or she has my back. In the end though, I just wouldn't stress it too much content-wise. It wouldn't hurt to share your personal statement/feelings about career choice among other things; if you can tie them into your goals and show that it would help you out a ton if they could write one for you, it will show, and I think that alone will get you above average positive things. :whistle:
just IMHO
 
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but honestly, take a step back and think about all of these LoRs applicants have. How often do you think a LoR has something bad written about an applicant? How often does a prof get asked to write a LoR? I am pretty sure adcoms see the same adjectives thrown out over and over and over and over again in LoRs that they end up not bearing a whole lot of weight or play too big of a role in separating applicants from one another. Yes, I would personally love to get profs who know me inside and out to write my letters; it would mean a lot for me to know he or she has my back. In the end though, I just wouldn't stress it too much content-wise. It wouldn't hurt to share your personal statement/feelings about career choice among other things; if you can tie them into your goals and show that it would help you out a ton if they could write one for you, it will show, and I think that alone will get you above average positive things. :whistle:
just IMHO

I feel the same way, or at least i hope it doesn't count for much because I know my letters are crappy. My professors took 4~5 months to write them, not to mention that they barely remembered me, and I had to get on them every month for them to actually send it in, which probably means that it could just be a mediocre letter that's not well thought out.

I got interviews already despite that, but I wonder if I could have gotten more if the letters were better. Oh well.


From watching admission commitee video on youtube, it seems like what's most important is DAT/GPA/volunteer/shadowing to get the interviews, and the interview itself it just a deal-sealer.
 
I think the names are more important than the contents of letters are.
 
Cool, thanks guys. I'll get my profs to mention my career goals in them. Also would it better to have a one page or 2 pages? Or if doesn't really matter? Thank you so much again!!
 
Hey guys,
My profs were just wondering what should they include in my reference letter. Like how long it should be, and maybe other things they should watch out for so they don't sound like novices 😛
🙂
They are novices, but you want them to sound like something they are not?
Thanks for any tips!

Cool, thanks guys. I'll get my profs to mention my career goals in them. Also would it better to have a one page or 2 pages? Or if doesn't really matter? Thank you so much again!!
You want your lor to have a soporific effect?
 
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