How to Write Compelling Letters of Recommendation

1. How to Write Compelling Letters of Recommendation Jennifer L. Bloom, Ed.D. Associate Dean for Student Affairs & the Medical Scholars Program University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign jlbloom@uiuc.edu 244-1512

2. Overview • Importance of Letters of Recommendation (LORs) • Writing letters for ERAS • What you need to ask students to provide • Format of good letters • Tips for writing letters • How to diplomatically say no to a request • Sample good and bad letters

3. “There is no such thing as a ‘self-made’ man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.” - George Adams, Philosopher

4. Importance of LORS • “A LOR is a letter that makes a statement of support for a candidate….(it) should also present a well-documented evaluation, providing sufficient evidence and information to help a selection committee in making its decision.” • Typically the letters are given a lot of weight in the decision • Can be as important or more important than other components of the application • Allows the reader to get a clear idea of what the person is “really” like

5. Writing Letters for ERAS • See ERAS Letter of Recommendation Cover Sheet • What happens once the letter arrives at the Office of Student Affairs

6. What Students Need to Provide You • At least 2 weeks notice • Deadline for submitting the letter • Up-to-date CV • Draft of their ERAS personal statement (if available)  • Complete information about the award or their residency intentions • Signed ERAS waiver form

7. Tips for Writing Good Letters • Put yourself in the shoes of the recipient of the letter – what would you be seeking? • Provide specific details about their strengths • Compare the student with others that you have known • Share stories that illustrate the student’s qualities • Potential topics: student’s potential, professionalism, interpersonal & leadership skills, passion for medicine, etc. • Don’t reiterate the student’s CV line for line • Write on official letterhead • Proofread your letter – especially the student’s name

8. More Tips • If you agree to write the letter, please tell the student when you will submit it and then keep your word. • The letter should be more than one paragraph – details about student performance are helpful to the reader • Keep a hard copy of the letter on your hard drive so that you can easily update it in the future for other opportunities • E-mail the student once you have submitted the letter

9. Format of Good Letters • Opening • Dear Program Director: • Include student name and AAMC ID# • Indicate the nature and length of your relationship • Body – use specific examples • Closing –reiterate the strength of your overall recommendation. • Would you recruit this person if you were a residency director?

10. Diplomatically Saying No • What are my options if a student that is not very strong requests that I write him/her a letter? • Tell the student how strong a letter you can honestly write up front

11. Sample Good LORs • See sample strong letters

12. “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Sir Winston Churchhill