writing your own LOR

[foreverlearner02]

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The doctor I shadow has asked me to write a draft for a letter of rec and then he will adjust it and add/remove what he wants and send it in. I have absolutely no idea how to go about writing a LOR. I've looked at AAMC's core competencies but I'm still not completely sure how to go about this. If anyone has any resources or insight that would be amazing

 

[LizzyM]

Letters of recommendation fro a doctor you have shadowed is not really worthwhile unless you are applying to a DO school.

Dear Committee Members,
...the letter starts with a statement that the writer is pleased to write a letter on behalf of the name of the applicant.
Then you say how you first met and when that happened. If there has been a change in the relationship over time, that is described (e.g. you took a class with the writer and then became the writer's TA).

New paragraph, description of what you did.
New paragraph, description of skills you demonstrated or how you grew during this time.
Last paragraph, some statement of how you compare to others, or to what extent the writer thinks that you will be a good doctor (e.g. top 5% of the students who have shadowed me over the past 15 years, or "I would be comfortable having [applicant] care for my own family and home to welcome him as a colleague."

Sincerely,
Name
Title

 

[foreverlearner02]

Thank you! I am applying to DO schools and the doc is a DO. I've shadowed him for nearly 50 hours, attended his journal club, he guided me on a case study (that didn't get published bc issues with the patient giving us permission), and he even asked me to be his scribe though i couldnt at the time. I have a lot I can talk about but I am not sure what is important to stress or shed light on.

 

[LizzyM]

It sounds as if you have enough material for those middle paragraphs. What we more often see is someone who shadowed for 4 hours and is reported to have showed up on time, was clean and neat in appearance and who asked good questions at the end of the activity. You have much more than that to report.

 

[gyngyn]

Here's what we are looking for: https://www.aamc.org/system/files?file=2019-09/lettersguidelinesbrochure.pdf

 

[allyallyoxenfree]

that AAMC link above is great so use that as a guideline and then also read this page here for some tips on how to write your own LOR!! i know it's weird trying to write your own but i hope that helps, good luck!