Writing my own letter of recommendation

[KoonS]

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Helxx

 

[fogorvostan]

I would google an example of an LOR and follow that format.

 

[KoonS]

I got the template, but I dont know what to write to make a strong applicant but not arrogant lol

 

[aubreyjokes]

Ask a different professor

 

[KoonS]

He is the only non-science prof that I have at the university and have pretty good relationship. I took all electives at CC. 🙁

 

[byahnoob]

Ive heard of dentists requesting students to write their own LOR .
I think theres a problem if a professor asks a student to write his/her own letter. Its virtually a professor's duty to write LORs for their students

 

[JLT223]

Not a good idea in my opinion.

 

[tarheel616]

Ask someone else

 

[pikachurro]

Eh I've had to do this. Think about what qualities of yourself you want highlighted. Then think of an instance when you've demonstrated this to the person. Do not just use "best student ever" or "hardworking." Show it through stories to show they know you well. In my experience, they look it over, add touches, rewrite parts etc. I don't think they blindly sign off on it.


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[doc toothache]

At least, if you write your own, you cannot blame the author of the lor for a failure to gain acceptance.

 

[Advance]

I got the template, but I dont know what to write to make a strong applicant but not arrogant lol

My dentist allowed me to write my own letter this cycle. I received a few complements from my interviewers about my letter as well.
Don't worry about sounding arrogant. The letter is written from the POV of the evaluator. You want to make yourself sound great. The thing I liked the most about it was that you could really toot your own horn, compared to the personal statement which is more modest.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

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[Advance]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. I don't know how anybody thinks this is acceptable. I would ask somebody else. The chances of you getting caught are practically zero, but you'll always know how you get into dental school.

I really don't see the problem with it. It's common that students meet with their LOR writer to discuss the contents of the letter.

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

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[hellofuturedentists]

Whatever helps you sleep at night. I don't know how anybody thinks this is acceptable. I would ask somebody else. The chances of you getting caught are practically zero, but you'll always know how you get into dental school.

I don't think it's unethical. Usually in these situations, the student writes the letter and the professor reads over it and signs it. You have to assume professors don't sign their name to a letter for a student they wouldn't endorse,regardless of who wrote it. If OP writes a letter that is inaccurate, I would guess the professor would change it (easily done when it's typed) and then submit it. This is just a time saving method for the professor, not unlike if a prof asked you to send a list of things you would like him/her to include in the LoR.

I really don't see the problem with it. It's common that students meet with their LOR writer to discuss the contents of the letter.

Agreed. Some of my professors wouldn't write one unless I came to discuss it first. They don't all know what dental schools would want, and it's best to make sure they know not to necessarily tailor it to a specific school, too. I only saw one of my letters (not from a professor) after it was submitted.

 

[doc toothache]

My dentist allowed me to write my own letter this cycle. I received a few complements from my interviewers about my letter as well.
Don't worry about sounding arrogant. The letter is written from the POV of the evaluator. You want to make yourself sound great. The thing I liked the most about it was that you could really toot your own horn, compared to the personal statement which is more modest.

Did you wink at the interviewer?

 

[Advance]

I have never done that, I didn't think it was common. I've seen LORs for jobs only after being hired, but I have still never seen any of my dental school LORs.

I didn't do it for my professors because I went to a very small university, but at larger universities where class sizes are large it's very common.
It also saves time for the applicant and the evaluator.

Did you wink at the interviewer?

Of course.😉

 

[nateriver]

I feel like everyone has had to do this, whether from a prof, or a dentist they shadowed

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

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[nateriver]

I haven't been asked about what to include in a LOR outside of my school's committee service questionnaire they give to all applicants, but I agree that there's nothing wrong in giving the professor information they ask for in order to help and that it is definitely kosher. I just don't know how good I'd feel about actually writing the letter itself and having the dentist sign off on it, even if it is in line with what the professor said. I feel like the personal statement is where you advocate for yourself in your voice, and the LOR is where the professor/dentist/whatever advocates for you in their voice. I understand it saves time for them, but I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing this.


I have not done this

I went to a school with 18,000 undergrads and either I'm very naive or it doesn't happen that often

I know so many people personally who have done this lol, I haven't had to do it myself, but maybe its just the people I know then I guess haha

 

[Scumbag_Steve]

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[nateriver]

I agree there is probably a big difference in the people each person knows. I also think that my friends would shy away from mentioning this to me because they know I'd give them heat for it, so it's possible I know a lot of people who have done this unbeknownst to me.

yeah thats deff possible, its strange that so many different professionals, whether professor or dentist, ask for this to be the norm lol

 

[JLT223]

You waive your right for a reason.