What Information Should I Give My Letter of Rec Writer?

[timu1996]

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Hi all!

So, I am planning on getting a letter of recommendation from a volunteer experience that I will be leaving soon, but I don't plan on applying to med school for a couple years, so I don't have a personal statement ready.

Besides my resume, what should I give my supervisor for her to be able to write me a letter of recommendation?

 

[Catalystik]

So, I am planning on getting a letter of recommendation from a volunteer experience that I will be leaving soon, but I don't plan on applying to med school for a couple years, so I don't have a personal statement ready.

Besides my resume, what should I give my supervisor for her to be able to write me a letter of recommendation?

A photo so she can recall who you are. And if you've worked closely with anyone in the organization for a period of time, you might ask for some informal Notes of Recognition from them to the supervisor, in case she'd like to quote them or contact the writer for more input.

 

[gyngyn]

This will help to insure that they address what we are looking for: https://www.aamc.org/download/349990/data/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

 

[timu1996]

@Catalystik Thanks for replying! I work directly with the individual who I am getting a letter from. She definitely remembers who am I since I am still volunteering there at the moment.

Would writing a rough draft of a personal statement be a good idea?

 

[Catalystik]

@Catalystik I work directly with the individual who I am getting a letter from. She definitely remembers who am I since I am still volunteering there at the moment.

Would writing a rough draft of a personal statement be a good idea?

I'd be concerned that it might not concisely express your motivations and personal exploration of medicine as a career if you complete it on very-short notice. But if you're good at expressing your thoughts, and good at writing mechanics, and have already given the essay some thought, then go for it.

Keep in mind though, that it is preferred she write about you based on her personal observations, providing brief stories to support her statements, rather than regurgitating your CV or PS.

 

[timu1996]

Hmmm that is very true. I would say I'm fairly decent writer, but I really haven't given my personal statement much thought. I think I might just type up a reflection paper on the time I spent volunteering there instead.

Thank you both for your help! 🙂

 

[Catalystik]

Hmmm that is very true. I would say I'm fairly decent writer, but I really haven't given my personal statement much thought. I think I might just type up a reflection paper on the time I spent volunteering there instead.

Thank you both for your help! 🙂

We are happy to help.