Writing own LOR

[sadpremed121]

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I'm wondering how common it is for people to write their own LOR. I know quite a few people around me whose PIs or professors have offered to let them write their own LOR, essentially giving them the freedom to put whatever they want into the letter. This does not seem ethical in my opinion, and it annoys me that they are able to fool adcoms this way. None of my profs/PIs have offered me to write my own letter and I'm wondering if I should try to ask them if I can write my own letter (this sounds like a terrible idea though). What should I do in this case? I feel like I am at a severe disadvantage.

 

[965978]

The PI will read and sign off on it as a way of confirming what was said. It’s just so that the applicant can present themselves through the letter writer.

I’ve heard some admissions people say they are ok with this. Others don’t like it so much.

 

[whorobbedthewoods]

Writing your own letters is only an advantage if you're a narcissist. If you asked the right people to write your letters, they'll have insights about you that you'd never have yourself. That's the whole point. For example, in my case, a couple of my writers showed me their letters (a while after the fact), and they completely knocked me over. I never would have thought to say that sort of stuff about myself.

If there are specific things you want your writers to mention or highlight (projects you worked on, key accomplishments, etc), you can ask them to do so. But I think you're underestimating the opportunity that is allowing someone else besides yourself to sing your praises! I really think it's those other people you mention who are at a disadvantage, not you.

 

[Black_Wall_Street]

Lol. Welcome to the world where PI and LOR writers are too lazy to write their own LORs. This happens a lot.

 

[daw05]

Do not ask them to write your own letter.

It is not uncommon (at least in the Army) for people to draft their own LORs for all kinds of things, and the person will use that as a template. It's only if the recommender wants to do it that way.

 

[yobo9345]

It is weird but not that uncommon. Sometimes it is considered courteous to provide a "draft" of a letter to the professor or supervisor you're asking for an LOR from, especially if they are only familiar with one aspect of your background (like if they only knew you from a class or two, from a part time job etc). Most people want to be able to give you a good letter representative of the "whole package" so they just want more info on you. Providing a draft also makes it easier and much less work for the PI/supervisor. However, if your boss hasn't offered I definitely would NOT ask if you can, as this could come off as really rude and entitled. If you are concerned, use the power of suggestion by giving them a resume for their reference with the activities/accomplishments you might like reflected in the letter. The easier you make it for them, the better! If you're worried someone can't write you a good letter, ask someone else!

 

[LadyGlen]

One of my letter writers asked me if I would mind writing my own letter. I didn't want to for one of the reasons stated above. I didn't know that I could provide the sorts of insights about myself that someone else could. We ended up at a middle ground. He wrote my letter, but I sat with him as he did it, offering suggestions. It was definitely interesting to do it that way

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

Do not ever ask or offer to write your own letter. When one asks for a letter, one asks the letter writer:
1. Do you feel comfortable writing me a LOR for x reason, by y date?
2. What materials would you like me to provide in order to write the letter (cv, personal statement, etc)?
3. Clarify if an in-person meeting is required in order for letter writer to get additional information they need in order to write the letter. Depends on the situation, but would be typical for some dedicated time to meet about the letter specifically.

IF the proposed letter writer asks you to write/draft your own letter, strongly reconsider whether you want or need that person to write your letter. I do not think that a pre med applicant would even know what it is we are looking for in the letters and how to write a genuine assessment - we do not want self-assessments when we ask for letters. We can ask for self-assessments during interviews.

I have never asked anyone to write their own letter and have been asked to provide letters for all levels of applicants, from undergrads, to med students to residents and attendings. It may be more acceptable to ask another professor to draft their own letter for a letter of support for grant funding, bc they KNOW their science by that point in their careers, but I really never thought people did it with premeds!

 

[907914]

I will have one LOR where they asked me to bullet point it out and they would add, remove and put it in the format of LOR. The only reason being that they have been my platoon sergeant for my entire military career. They don’t know everything I have done, but they know I have done everything well.

In essence, you should never find yourself writing your own LOR. Providing a list of key things that relate to the specific letter writer? Yah, maybe.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

I will have one LOR where they asked me to bullet point it out and they would add, remove and put it in the format of LOR. The only reason being that they have been my platoon sergeant for my entire military career. They don’t know everything I have done, but they know I have done everything well.

In essence, you should never find yourself writing your own LOR. Providing a list of key things that relate to the specific letter writer? Yah, maybe.

Some bulletpoints seem ok - especially since the letter writer requested it - and he/she was your platoon sergeant, so it was important to have a letter from that person. Certainly this was the best course of action in your specific case!

However, others should not worry too much that a letter writer might not know or remember everything about them. Keep in mind that a letter writer does not need to address everything about an applicant - the reason we ask for multiple letters is so that we get a full picture of you from different perspectives. We want them to write about what they have observed in your behavior that makes you unique - apart from many others with whom they have worked. That perspective is almost impossible to capture when applicants write their own letters.

 

[curbsideconsult]

I'm wondering how common it is for people to write their own LOR. I know quite a few people around me whose PIs or professors have offered to let them write their own LOR, essentially giving them the freedom to put whatever they want into the letter. This does not seem ethical in my opinion, and it annoys me that they are able to fool adcoms this way. None of my profs/PIs have offered me to write my own letter and I'm wondering if I should try to ask them if I can write my own letter (this sounds like a terrible idea though). What should I do in this case? I feel like I am at a severe disadvantage.

Yes, it does happen frequently that profs/PIs ask the student to write their own letter, but you shouldn't feel like you're at a disadvantage because none of your letter writers asked you to do the same. I'd be absolutely offended if I asked someone to write me a letter and they told me to write one myself for them to sign off on. It would show that they don't care enough about me to put any thought into an LOR and it would also show bad judgment on my part for not selecting someone who would put in the effort to write me a letter. I would rather have a potential letter writer flat out tell me they're too busy or they don't know me well enough to write a letter for me.