typo in letter of rec

[sunnysnow7]

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I just got my LOR from a physician I was shadowing. There are some typos and grammatical errors. Should I ask him to fix them or send it in as is? Will adcoms look down on this letter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[m_rivera84]

I'm curious too... my volunteer coordinator had a typo. I asked her to correct it, but the grammar got jumbled up. I decided to use the typo letter. I'm not sure if people will really look down on it. I mean, it would show #1 that it's not a template letter and #2 the person is super busy. Since your letter is coming from a physician, it should be valid either way.

however, if you can, i'm sure your letter writer wouldn't mind correcting that one mistake and send it to you again.

 

[TejasMed2009]

Yeah, I would not worry about it. I would bet the physician is extremely busy and the last thing he/she would have time to do is go back and correct a few typos. Should not matter any way...does not reflect poorly on you.

 

[sushichopstickz]

If I was a physician and a kid went back and complained about a typo. I would be sure to add some more comment on his/or her letter. Ahem, to the attention of admission: "this kid is anal. don't take him/her"

Furthermore, you shouldn't be able to read the letter in the first place. It's a breach of confidentiality and is a big no-no if admissions find out.

 

[tcc123]

If I was a physician and a kid went back and complained about a typo. I would be sure to add some more comment on his/or her letter. Ahem, to the attention of admission: "this kid is anal. don't take him/her"

Furthermore, you shouldn't be able to read the letter in the first place. It's a breach of confidentiality and is a big no-no if admissions find out.

Not really.. You actually have the right to see every letter of rec about you, most people however wave that right when they send a cover letter to the letter writer (like on interfolio). I waved my right, but the physician who wrote me a letter also sent it to me. It took me a while to even open it up and read it because I knew it would make me feel weird, which it kinda did.

 

[nick_carraway]

If I was a physician and a kid went back and complained about a typo. I would be sure to add some more comment on his/or her letter. Ahem, to the attention of admission: "this kid is anal. don't take him/her"

Furthermore, you shouldn't be able to read the letter in the first place. It's a breach of confidentiality and is a big no-no if admissions find out.

I disagree. The reason writers give applicants a copy is frequently so that they can review it and let them know if anything needs to be changed.

I'd mention the typos, but might not mention grammar mistakes. Some people can be offended when you call them out on their writing style.

 

[RySerr21]

im surprised no one has flamed you for having a LOR from a physician shadowed. thats like the kiss of death on the pre allo forums.

 

[Raryn]

Does it really matter? If I was an adcom, I would not hold the applicant accountable for typos in a letter someone else wrote... Now, if it was chock full of big grammar/spelling mistakes I might take an issue, but one or two small ones? Shouldn't be a big deal.

Not to mention that most of us have LORs from science professors. I'll bet money that they all have a mistake or three in there...

 

[sunnysnow7]

im surprised no one has flamed you for having a LOR from a physician shadowed. thats like the kiss of death on the pre allo forums.

I guess I lucked out! Thanks for the help everyone. I will leave it as is. It adds character to my letter.....hahah

 

[GATORochoCINCO]

im surprised no one has flamed you for having a LOR from a physician shadowed. thats like the kiss of death on the pre allo forums.

Ha ha, I'm glad I haven't let that slip out yet. I don't understand that premise at all, if you were with the guy for an extended period of time and he can provide a character reference than why not have him write you a letter. In fact, I kind of like the D.O. applicant institution requiring a D.O. letter, because one, in theory, could make up their entire application. Most people who take the time to come on this site are pretty driven, but you know someone has.

Also, and I have heard this from many people MD's, PhD's, et cetera, waiving letters is just something you are supposed to do because it looks good or something. It was explained to me once why you should do it, but all I can remember is that you should.

 

[UVAbme2009]

Also, and I have heard this from many people MD's, PhD's, et cetera, waiving letters is just something you are supposed to do because it looks good or something. It was explained to me once why you should do it, but all I can remember is that you should.

Maybe because that's the only way they can get honest feedback about you? If the writer decides to send the letter to you, that's on them. But if a school sees an non-confidential letter or finds out you've seen it, the letter doesn't mean a thing anymore.