Writing own LOR

[sylvanthus]

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Anyone do this during 3rd year? What in the world do you write? I was told I could write my own LOR by my preceptor but am clueless as to the format, style, key words etc etc.

 

[scotchtapetest]

Anyone do this during 3rd year?

People do.... I, personally, didn't....

What in the world do you write? .

You don't... If your recommender is not willing to spend 1hr to write you a letter then you don't want "his/her" recommendation...

I was told I could write my own LOR by my preceptor but am clueless as to the format, style, key words etc etc.

Writing a good LOR is extremely difficult.... Unless you have written 10s of LORs (which sounds like you haven't) then you won't be able to write a good one.... Residency application is not like medical school application.... They actually want LORs that are exceptional because you are competing against some exceptional folks, especially if you want a competitive field/place (otherwise you can write anything and no one cares)...

Remember, it is not about the quantity of LORs, it's about the quality.... It is more important to identify preceptors who are good at writing one, are willing to write you one and ask them for one....

 

[jcu]

Tell the LOR writer to politely shove it. Or, just don't bring it up again. Letters contain certain key words that PD's look for. Unless a letter from this preceptor would make or break your career, ask someone else.

 

[sylvanthus]

Well I am coming from a ****ty school in the middle of nowhere and my options for LOR from preceptors who have written plenty of them is a non-option. Hell, nearly every preceptor I have had has had zero medical students in the past. So a real answer as to what goes into them would be appreciated.

Also, Bala565 you really should watch your tone on here, you tend to talk down to people more than almost any other poster on here. Of course I am aware that quality is more important than quantity. Seriously, contribute something meaninful in a non-derogatory fashion or feel free to continue your demeaning posts in another thread.

 

[scotchtapetest]

Well I am coming from a ****ty school in the middle of nowhere and my options for LOR from preceptors who have written plenty of them is a non-option. Hell, nearly every preceptor I have had has had zero medical students in the past. So a real answer as to what goes into them would be appreciated.

Also, Bala565 you really should watch your tone on here, you tend to talk down to people more than almost any other poster on here. Of course I am aware that quality is more important than quantity. Seriously, contribute something meaninful in a non-derogatory fashion or feel free to continue your demeaning posts in another thread.

How is what I said derogatory or demeaning or talking down to someone?.... Explain that to me and I'll retract... I stated my opinion... I never said anything offensive to you, didn't talk down to you, didn't say anything inappropriate... Don't like my posts, don't read them... Very simple; It's an anonymous internet forum where people get to post... You don't get to decide who posts what/where!

 

[scotchtapetest]

Well I am coming from a ****ty school in the middle of nowhere and my options for LOR from preceptors who have written plenty of them is a non-option. Hell, nearly every preceptor I have had has had zero medical students in the past. So a real answer as to what goes into them would be appreciated.

Also, Bala565 you really should watch your tone on here, you tend to talk down to people more than almost any other poster on here. Of course I am aware that quality is more important than quantity. Seriously, contribute something meaninful in a non-derogatory fashion or feel free to continue your demeaning posts in another thread.

And I probably shouldn't waste my time helping you out after your post.. but f*** it; I need to kill time until Monday, noon! (I hope it helps and is not considered derogatory by you, if it is, just ignore it):

1) In general, it should be at least 1 page but no more than 1.5 - 2 pages.
2) It should NOT be a restatement of your CV (biggest mistake)
3) At least 75% of the letter should be objective or subjective data about you (the applicant) which can not be found anywhere else in your application.
4) Preferably, it should address qualities important to your desired specialty (e.g. for surgery talking about manual dexterity is important while in medicine not so much; Alternatively, being able to do outstanding presentation/research may be more important to IM vs. surgery).
5) Explain in what capacity the letter writer knows you and for how long and how closely was s/he involved in your supervision/training.
6) NOT be a copy from the internet.
7) Obviously written in PERFECT English with no grammar/spelling errors.
8) Indicate specific examples of your qualities where you have demonstrated scholarship or excellence.

Some examples/guides:
http://www-verimag.imag.fr/~plafourc/DIVERS/sample_letter.pdf
Go to LOR section: http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/sc...ams/md-program/student-affairs/app-to-res.cfm

More academic background:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1492321/

Having said all of that, if you have any choice, you should seriously consider not writing your own LOR. There is some ethical issues that you must consider and programs can distinguish between quality and crappy letters.

Here is a SDN post/thread from few years ago:

It's not unusual for students to encounter attending physicians who ask you to write your own letter of recommendation. After you write the letter, the faculty member may simply sign it or modify it before signing it. If you are presented with such an offer, you should certainly consider it but accept the offer only after thinking about the following:

1. If you are like most students, you probably haven't been asked to write a letter of recommendation before. Having the ability to write a strong letter of recommendation is not an innate quality - it is one that is learned through practice. There is a chance that your inexperience may result in the development of a weak letter. See Dr. Cuts previous reply.

2. A letter that you write may end up being similar to your personal statement or other parts of your application. If so, it may not add much to your application. In contrast, letter writers who use their own words offer multiple perspectives on your performance, achievements, and overall strengths.

3. By asking you to write the letter, the faculty member has made it clear to you that he is not that enthusiastic about you and your residency application. Ask yourself what this individual might say if a residency program calls to ask questions about you (which is not unheard of). In addition, if he hasn't written the letter, then how well will he be able to talk about its contents?

If you decide to write your own letter, I agree with some of the other posters, who encourage that it be proofread by others. Remember to back up any praise that you include about yourself with specific examples. These are the details that convince a reader that the praise is actually true. For example, it's not enough to say that "I was impressed with his problem-solving skills". You need to back it up with a real life example. That's the type of letter that gets an applicant noticed.

Good luck,

Samir Desai, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine

Good Luck

 

[kautionwirez]

you gave an ungrateful person something useful.

karma will probably give you a gift!

 

[adamMD]

I'll never forget the day I learned, hands down, the very most valuable lesson of life. I was 27 and my dad asked me to clean my room. But instead I rustled up stray neighborhood dogs, trashed the back yard playing in the muddy swamp I created with the sprinkler system, after which the animals and I simply devastated the house interior, shattering a new and expensive plasma television. After that, my pops never again asked me to clean my room. The moral is, if you do a job bad enough people won't ask you to do it again. So my advice to you: ask a different professor that won't make you write your own letter.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I'll never forget the day I learned, hands down, the very most valuable lesson of life. I was 27 and my dad asked me to clean my room. But instead I rustled up stray neighborhood dogs, trashed the back yard playing in the muddy swamp I created with the sprinkler system, after which the animals and I simply devastated the house interior, shattering a new and expensive plasma television. After that, my pops never again asked me to clean my room. The moral is, if you do a job bad enough people won't ask you to do it again. So my advice to you: ask a different professor that won't make you write your own letter.

Yeah... 27 is a rough time. I think.

 

[DavetheMD]

I'll never forget the day I learned, hands down, the very most valuable lesson of life. I was 27 and my dad asked me to clean my room. But instead I rustled up stray neighborhood dogs, trashed the back yard playing in the muddy swamp I created with the sprinkler system, after which the animals and I simply devastated the house interior, shattering a new and expensive plasma television. After that, my pops never again asked me to clean my room. The moral is, if you do a job bad enough people won't ask you to do it again. So my advice to you: ask a different professor that won't make you write your own letter.

Strange troll post

 

[jdh71]

Anyone do this during 3rd year? What in the world do you write? I was told I could write my own LOR by my preceptor but am clueless as to the format, style, key words etc etc.

blank check

use google - find out what separates a good letter from an excellent letter

$$$$$

profit

 

[Butler]

Make sure to add in "Best medical student I have ever worked with." I have heard PDs look for this line, even if its not true most of the time lol.