You know you will have to have letters of recommendations (LORs)when applying to PA school. If you are applying through CASPA, you will need three LORs, and for most students these come from physician assistants (PAs), other medical professionals such as physicians, supervisors from their PCE or HCE position, and or a professor or academic advisor. Who you ask to write your LORs needs to be really well thought out, because PA schools absolutely take these into account when reviewing your application and deciding if you are a good fit for their program. A bad LOR or one that says “do not recommend” can put you in the no pile no matter how perfect your stats are. On the other hand, amazing LORs that go in depth about you and highly recommend you can definitely sway the decision on whether or not to invite you for an interview. All that to say, your LORS are SUPER important and a piece of your app that can determine whether or not you receive an interview invitation. 

We recommend that when asking your people for LORs, you first ask, “Can you write me a strong LOR?” If they say no, or seem unsure or not particularly enthused about it, say thank you and move on to someone else because you want your LORs to be strong! Someone who isn’t excited about writing you an LOR is probably not going to write you a very strong one, or they will write something superficial that does not convince us or show you in the best light possible, which can be detrimental to your application. 

Often, LOR writers are super excited about providing an LOR for you, but they simply don’t have the time or they aren’t sure exactly what you want them to say about you, so they will instead ask you to write their LOR, which they will then edit and submit.  This may seem a bit odd or unfamiliar, and while this may sound unconventional, it’s not uncommon in professional circles. In fact, this can be a great opportunity to have a strong LOR that includes exactly what you want the PA admissions to know about you. When a mentor or supervisor asks you to draft your own letter of recommendation for them to edit later, it’s an opportunity for you to showcase your accomplishments and strengths in a personalized way. 

Here’s how to approach writing your own LOR:

1. Decide what you want PA schools to know about you from the LOR writers viewpoint. For example, if a professor has asked you to devise your own LOR, the professor would not speak to your ability to care for patients or build strong rapport or work well in a team, because the professor has never seen you do these things. Even if you want PA schools to know about you, it wouldn’t make sense for a professor to attest to those things. Instead, you would think about what the professor has seen in you and what you want schools to know about you from that perspective. For example, a professor would touch on your intelligence or ability to critically think, or your logic or ability to help classmates who are struggling. So as you are brainstorming what to write about, think about it as if you are the person writing it AND about what you want PA schools to know about you from that specific person and their role. 

2. Do You Have any Guidelines: Has your recommender give you any insight into what they admire about you or what has impressed them? Did they tell you to mention your GPA or volunteering you have done?  Are there certain experiences, skills, or qualities your recommender wants you to highlight? Tailoring your letter to their expectations will make the editing process smoother for them, and ensure you have a strong LOR.

3. Reflect on Your Experiences: Start by jotting down a list of experiences, projects, and qualities that you believe are relevant to the recommendation. Reflect on your time in academic settings, clinical environments, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Consider instances where you demonstrated leadership, teamwork, adaptability, or problem-solving skills, or other strong attributes which will contribute to crafting a solid LOR.

4. Emphasize Your Strengths: Identify your key strengths and attributes that align with the qualities of a successful PA. Whether it’s your ability to communicate effectively with patients, your dedication to continued learning, or your capacity to remain calm under pressure, these strengths should be the focal points of your letter. Just make sure they correlate with the role of the person you are writing the letter for (see tip #1). 

6. Maintain a Professional Tone: While the letter is written from your perspective, it’s crucial to maintain a professional tone. Avoid overly casual language and focus on presenting yourself as a dedicated, reliable, and respectful individual.

7. Avoid Exaggeration: While it’s important to highlight your achievements, be cautious about overinflating them. Honesty is key, as your recommender will likely edit the letter to align with their own observations and experiences. Highlight your strengths but don’t overly exaggerate…it seems unauthentic.

8. Format and Structure: Follow a professional letter format with a salutation, introductory paragraph, body paragraphs highlighting your experiences and qualities, and a concluding paragraph expressing gratitude for the opportunity. This structure provides a clear framework for your recommender to work with.

9. Be Concise: Brevity is essential. Keep your letter focused and concise. Highlight your most impactful experiences and qualities without overwhelming the reader. The typical length of a strong LOR is about one page, including the header and signature.

10. Seek Feedback: Before finalizing your draft for your recommender, seek feedback from trusted friends, mentors, or educators. Their insights can help you refine your letter and ensure it effectively conveys your strengths and achievements.

11. Trust the Editing Process: After you’ve written your draft, remember that your recommender’s role is to review and polish your letter. Be open to their suggestions and revisions IF they provide any (but don’t expect it), as they know what makes a compelling recommendation letter.

Writing your own letter of recommendation might seem like a daunting task at first, but it’s a valuable opportunity to advocate for yourself and showcase your unique qualities. Approach the process with thoughtful reflection, clear communication, and a willingness to collaborate, and you’ll create a strong recommendation letter that stands out.