Not the Letters of Recommendation Too!

OK. You've written a dynamite AMCAS essay and started replying to secondary applications. You're coping with school, research, volunteer commitments, and applications when all of a sudden you get an unexpected curve ball. One of your recommenders says. "I really want to help you get into medical school. Why don't you write the letter of rec and I'll sign it. That way it will emphasize exactly what you think is most important."

You of course graciously acknowledge the recommender's good intentions and thank him or her for the outstanding idea. Inwardly you panic, curse, and think, "I can't write one more word. When am I going to find the time to do it? And what on earth am I supposed to say?"

Relax. We'll tell you what a recommender should say. In fact, you can pass these tips on to your recommenders in case they prefer to write the letter themselves, but don't know what to say. 

10 Tips for Recommenders

1. Review a copy of the applicant's personal statement so that your letter of recommendation can dovetail with--not conflict with or duplicate--the rest of the application
2. Ask the applicant to supply you with additional information like a resume.
3. Describe your qualifications for comparing the applicant to other applicants.
   
   
   • I have been teaching for twenty years and have advised approximately 450 students on independent research projects over the last five years.
   • I have personally supervised ten interns every summer for the last five years plus worked with over two hundred college students in the Big Medical Center ER.
     
     
4. Discuss how well you know the applicant.
   
   
   • I was able to get to know Mr. Doe because he made it a point to attend two of my sections every week when only one was required.
   • Ms. Smith did research in my laboratory for two years, and I worked very closely with her.
     
     
5. Choose two to three qualities that you observed in the applicant.
   
   
   • Jane has a rare blend of top research, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
   • The combination of tenacity, willingness to help, and good communications skills found in Mr. Doe is truly unique.
     
     
6. In discussing those qualities, support your statements with specific instances in which he or she demonstrated those attributes. Be as concrete and detailed as possible
   
   
   • He is the only student I ever had who came to all my office hours as part of a relentless--and successful--drive to master biochemistry. He was one of just ten percent in the class to receive an A.
   • Because of Jane's research and communications skills, I didn't hesitate to ask her to monitor epileptic patients and prepare electrodes to be implanted in their bilateral temporal lobes. Her quality work contributed significantly to a paper we co-authored and presented to the Society for Neuroscience.
     
     
7. Try to quantify the student's strengths or rank him or her vis-�-vis other applicants that you have observed.
   
   
   • He was in the top 10% of his class.
   • She has the best research skills of any person her age that I have ever supervised.
     
     
8. Avoid generalities and platitudes.
9. Include some mild criticism, typically the flip-side of a strength.
   
   
   • The only fault I have encountered in him is his retiring nature. His modesty sometimes hides a young man of remarkable sensitivity and broad interests.
   • Occasionally, her fortitude and persistence can turn into stubbornness, but usually her good nature and level-headedness prevail.
     
     
10. Discuss the applicant's potential in his or her chosen field.
    
    
    • I enthusiastically recommend Mr. Doe to your medical program. This well-rounded student will be a fine, compassionate doctor.
    • With her exceptional interpersonal and research skills, Ms. Smith will be an outstanding doctor and a credit to the medical school she attends.

Now that you know what a recommender is supposed to say, do you have the experience and time to write it? Accepted.com editors regularly write and edit letters of recommendation for clients. But how much experience do they have? The Accepted.com staff collectively has well over ten years of experience in admissions editing with close to one hundred years of experience as writing professionals. You can read about our backgrounds and qualifications on our bio page. Alternatively, we invite you to inquire about or register for our services by completing the Accepted.com Registration and Inquiry Form.

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By Linda Abraham, Founder and President of Accepted.com