Writing your own LOR?

[studyingforever]

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So I asked an attending for a letter of recommendation...and he asked me to write my own letter. He said he would gladly recommend me, but he didn't have time at the moment to write one and he wasn't very good at writing letters. Is this common?? I have never written a letter for myself...not sure what to make of it.

Thanks

 

[NREMTP]

I would write myself one helluva damn letter!!!! Not sure if it is common however. I say go with it.

 

[justin8818]

+1

One of my professors had me do this in undergrad for my med school LOR. It was kind of strange writing about myself though...

 

[BigRedder]

I had this experience before medical school as well, but I politely explained that I wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. She wrote a much nicer letter than I ever could have. You will likely err on the side of modesty.

 

[FutureInternist]

I wrote 1.5 of my 4 letters. No matter what you write, they still have to agree to it, so I don't see anything unethical about it.
This also allows you to suggest different topics to different attendings so that the composite of the letters paints a more complete picture rather than everyone saying the same thing.